Ten Great Things for Families to Do

In the Ozarks

1.   Water Fun, on the Lake – The 54,000-acre Lake of the Ozarks offers plenty of room for water fun including boating, swimming, skiing and parasailing.  Excursion boats such as Tropic Island Cruises andCelebration offer narrated scenic (or dinner) cruises.

2.      Water Fun, off the Lake – Water fun extends beyond the Lakeshore at Big Surf Waterpark, with a wave pool, water slides, rapid rides and more.  And water fun awaits year-round at Timber Falls Indoor Waterpark, with 20,000 square feet of slides, pools, tube floats and a three-story “treehouse.”

3.      Shopping – Osage Beach Premium Outlets, Missouri’s largest outlet center, offers value and variety year-round, along with the area’s many other malls, 50-plus antique stores, crafts shops and boutiques.

4.      Caves – One of only a few destinations in the U.S. with three show caves clustered within 30 miles of each other, the Lake offers an underground look at eons of history and fantastic formations.

5.      Festivals and Fun Events – Craft shows, concerts, car cruises and more make the Lake a year-round festival.

6.      Golf – Seventeen great courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Wieskopf, Jack Nicklaus and others make the Lake the Midwest’s unchallenged premier golf destination.  Seven mini-golf courses (and go-kart tracks) add to the family appeal.

7.      State Parks – Missouri’s largest state park and one of its most unusual state parks are at the Lake, providing a natural setting for family hiking, swimming, caving, picnicking and more.

8.      Museums – Learning about the Lake is easy and fun at area museums (such as Willmore Lodge, Camden County Museum, Miller County Museum, Morgan County Historical Museum and Orion Science Center).

9.      Sweet Treats – The Lake’s 100-plus restaurants offer plenty of dining options, but for a family treat it’s hard to beat our frozen custard.  Several locations offer the satisfyingly rich, sweet treat throughout the Lake area.

10.  Music Shows – “Something for everyone” is the hallmark of the Lake’s two music shows (Main Street Music Hall and Ozark Opry).  Country, oldies, gospel – and lots of comedy – make the shows a natural for wholesome family fun.