Growing up landlocked in the Midwest, my family tends to be lake-lovers. (My heart actually belongs to the ocean, but shhh… don’t tell them; they might disown me.) As a general rule, it’s also hotter than homemade sin during the summer in Missouri, so one could certainly see the appeal. As such, I tend to whine quite a bit when we go to visit this time of year because I loathe hot weather unless I can be in the water. So, I was pleasantly surprised when our annual summer trip to see my family included a stint at the Lake of the Ozarks, where we enjoyed several days of boating, playing in the pool, and visiting. The best part was, the weather was merciful and I didn’t even feel like I was in the center of hell – or maybe it was thanks to the giant water feature. Either way…
If you’ve never been to the Lake of the Ozarks, it’s massive – and busy. It’s a tourism paradise and for good reason. There are any number of places to stay, stuff to buy, boats to rent, and things to see and do. I don’t think I can even touch the tip of the iceberg on where to recommend to stay. However, if you’re interested, you could possibly start here.
Also, I’ve never seen the show, but I’ve been told that the Ozark TV series does quite a disservice to the area, and is frankly a horrible representation. In real life, this place is seriously impressive. I’d love to have a nickel for every mansion on the lake. There were more jaw-dropping summer homes than I could count, with boats that cost at least five times as much as my house. It was incredible. (#Goals – but I want my McMansion on the ocean, ha.)
My new favorite place at the Ozarks is the fabulous bar and grill that we dined at one evening called, Franky & Louie’s. It’s located on the water and accessible by boat. (Thankfully, I wasn’t driving because I had my eyes closed while we parked.) Fortunately, the dock is attended by bright pink, bikini clad assistants (bright for visibility, bikini for optimal tips – more power to them), who help you park. Aside from the slightly nerve-wracking docking situation, this place is fantastic! They have a very fun atmosphere with live entertainment and a swimming beach to boot. And the food was amazing! We had an absolute blast.
If you ever find yourself looking for a summer getaway in Missouri, take a peek at Lake of the Ozarks. It’s a great destination to go to escape the heat and have some family fun. There’s something for everyone and definitely no shortage of things to do.
PS: If you decide to go, please be aware that this is an extremely busy lake and water sports, such as skiing, are not advisable. And if you pull kiddos on a tube, be sure not to throw them off. It’s simply too busy and dangerous to swim unless maybe you’re in a cove.
PPS: If you should find yourself in (or near) the St. Louis area, check out this post for awesome attractions that you’re sure to want to add to your list of things to see and do.
🙂
