Lake of The Ozarks and Top 10 Things To Do

Aug

Lake of The Ozarks and Top 10 Things To Do

The Lake of The Ozarks is a great vacation destination for everyone. Whether you are a backpacker, hiker, camper, shopper, love watersports, visiting wineries, or historical sites, this national park has something for everyone.

1. Ha Ha Tonka State Park

With amazingly breathtaking scenery and architecture Ha Ha Tonka State Park is one of Missouri’s most treasured spots. Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located on the Lake of the Ozarks, and the park features the stone ruins of a turn-of-the-20th-century castle built by a prominent Kansas City businessman high atop a bluff. You can hike the more than 15 miles of trails that weave throughout the park which will lead you to sinkholes, natural bridges, caves, and down to the lake.

2. Bridal Cave

Bridal Cave is rated as one of the most scenic caverns in America, and it contains more formations per square foot than any other known cave or cavern in the United States. Some of the parks facilities include visitors center, cave tours, gift shop, rock shop, boat docks located on the Lake of The Ozarks, nature trails, gemstone mining and an observation tower. The park is open year round for your enjoyment.

3. Ozark Distillery

The Ozark Distillery offers hand crafted spirits and is a small family owned and operated craft distillery. It produces Corn Whiskey Moonshine, Bourbon Whiskey, Premium Vodka, Apple Pie Moonshine, Blackberry Moonshine, Vanilla Bean Moonshine and Butterscotch Moonshine. They also offer tastings Tuesday thru Saturday, but are closed Sunday and Monday. You can take a free tour on Saturday’s every hour starting at 10:00am. The tours last approximately 30 minutes and tastings follow the free tour. So sign up and have fun!

4. Willmore Lodge

Located just northeast of Bagnell Dam on Business Hwy. 54. This historic 29 room log building was completed in 1930 by the Union Electric Company (now Ameren UE). It served as an administrative and entertainment center for the mammoth Osage River project. This Osage River Project was of such magnitude that it destroyed and displaced five towns, and created The Lake of the Ozarks which is a man-made lake with a shoreline rivaling Lake Michigan in length. The Lake of the Ozarks created a new tourism economy in central Missouri that thrives to this day. The Willmore Lodge building is on the Historical Register and has been refurbished saving its historical charm. The building emphasizes the Adirondack style of architecture and furniture. A Visitors Center and a museum specialize in the history of Willmore Lodge, the Lake of the Ozarks area, and Bagnell Dam . The museum shows the area before the dam, building of the dam, how the dam works, and its wildlife. It is available free of charge during the hours of the visitors center. The building also houses the offices of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Special uses for the building can be requested after hours by contacting the Visitor’s Center. The Willmore Lodge, Visitor’s Center, and Lake Area Chamber are open all year.

5. Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace

Located in the Lake of the Ozarks, which is a popular family vacation spot. You can enjoy savings of 25% to 65% every day at 110 designer and name brand outlet stores including Adidas, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, J.Crew, Nautica, Nike, Nine West, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. So make sure to stop in during your stay and enjoy some shopping at this beautiful marketplace.

6. Bagnell Dam

If you are looking for the one place that everyone in the family can find something to do, look no further than Bagnell Dam Strip. From arcade games to water activities, you will find it here. Many of the Lake of the Ozarks events begin or take place on The Strip as well, and Hot Summer Nights on the 2nd weekend of every month in the summer are a motor enthusiasts heaven.

Come check out The Strip, the Heart of the Lake of the Ozarks!

7. Swinging Bridge

Grand Auglaize Swinging Bridge
- The Grand Auglaize Bridge was built in 1922, is 500 feet long, and it has a span of 414 feet. It is located over Grand Auglaize Creek on Swinging Bridges Road (Lake Road 42-18) southwest of Brumley and is open to traffic. This wire suspension bridge is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Although an inspection conducted in 2015 rated it structurally deficient due to its poor superstructure condition, that doesn’t stop daily traffic from reaching up to 250 crossings.
Mill Creek Swinging Bridge
- The Mill Creek Bridge was built in 1925 and is 135 feet long with a span of 95 feet. This wire suspension bridge crosses over Mill Creek on Swinging Bridges Road (Lake Road 42-18) near Brumley. Open to one-lane traffic only, the bridge was rehabilitated in 1978 and although the structure is sound, a recent inspection found it “functionally obsolete.” A true piece of history, the bridge is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and has only about 30 traffic crossings per day.

8. Lake of the Ozarks State Park

Enjoy the solitude of an undeveloped cove hidden along the shorelines of one of Missouri’s largest lakes. Swim, fish, boat or simply take in the view from a shady campsite or picnic area overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. The park offers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of recreational activities on the lake, on shore or underground with a tour of Ozark Caverns.

9. Shawnee Bluff Winery

The Winery at Shawnee Bluff is the perfect spot for celebrating the every day. They offer a tapas menu, brick oven pizza, and wine tastings by the glass or bottle. Enjoy their offerings in an indoor tasting room and bistro, or on thier outdoor patio and decks with amazing views of the Lake of the Ozarks.

The Vineyard is located on over 40 acres with sweeping views along the growing grapevines. They also have a wine-bottling facility on-site.

10. Seven Springs Winery

Seven Springs Winery and Vineyards sits atop 160 acres of rolling Missouri foothills between Camdenton and Osage Beach. The winery is less than a 10 minute drive from either location. The covered porch and patio area are ideal for enjoying a glass of wine and admiring the beautiful views.

The winery serves Missouri wines, sangrias, and a few micro-brews for those with an alternative pallet. They offer wine tastings and a light menu consisting of soups, sandwiches, cheese trays, and bread with various dipping oils.

As you can see the Lake of The Ozarks is your one stop vacation destination. I’d love to hear about your experiences there.