LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO – Whether planning for a weekend escape or a more extended stay, Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect place for a Girlfriend Getaway of any length.
The “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” has long been revered as a favorite family vacation destination, but that’s not to say that the girls can’t have fun, too. There are many options when it comes to whiling away the hours with best friends and favorite gal pals.
DINE, UNWIND AND UNCORK
For the ultimate relaxing getaway, Lake ladies can pamper themselves at the Lake of the Ozark’s four rejuvenating spas. Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons, Spa 54 at Camden on the Lake Resort, Spa 54 at Old Kinderhook Resort and Driftwood Spa and Salon at Margaritaville Lake Resort all offer their own signature services as well as a variety of treatments and packages. Whichever spa a visitor chooses, they can rest easy knowing that they’ll leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to enjoy their getaway to the fullest. Visitors should check with the spa(s) of their choice for complete list of available options and pricing.
If a relaxing or challenging yoga class is in the cards, the Lake is home to several dedicated yoga studios and several of the full-service resorts also offer yoga for their guests. For more information on the Lake’s spas, float spas, salons and yoga studios, visit www.funlake.com/things-to-do/spas-and-wellness.
After an afternoon at the spa, there’s not much better than sipping on some of the Lake’s finest wines with your best friends. The Lake of the Ozarks is home to four local wineries that feature a number of locally-crafted signature wines as well as tasty snacks and meals to accompany the varietal of your choice. The Lake’s wineries include Dale Hollow Winery and Vineyard, Seven Springs Winery, Shawnee Bluff Vineyard, Shawnee Bluff Winery and the Riverbird Winery (opening soon). Each winery boasts its own unique setting, whether it be in-town convenience, waterside views or pastural peacefulness, making each a must-visit.
With over 200 restaurants and nightspots, there is no shortage of options for great places to eat at the Lake of the Ozarks.
However, one of the most memorable ways to enjoy a meal is dining lakeside, where the views are as spectacular as the food.
Some of the most popular lakeside restaurants are located either on the shoreline and welcome boaters, which is why the Lake of the Ozarks was named one of the top places to “dock and dine” by Boating Magazine. Other restaurants are perched above the Lake with incredible views of the water as a backdrop. Lake-area restaurants offer a variety of fare, ranging from Cajun cooking to classic American cuisine and beyond, from casual bar and grills to fine dining. And, most feature live musical entertainment and each has its own unique amenities and experiences as well.
LADIES OF THE LAKE
What’s a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks without spending a little time out on the water? There are three separate luxury cruise yachts at the Lake, each offering 90-minute scenic cruises on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Celebration Cruises, based near the Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark, offers two 80-foot luxury yachts that cruise every day, with the exception of Mondays. Celebration offers 90-minute narrated noon tours with an optional lunch and 90-minute sunset cruises with dinner optional. The 75-foot Tropic Island luxury yacht, which moors at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, offers 90-minute narrated daily scenic cruises for the public during the summer months. All three offer bar service as well as private charters. Guests should check with each individual vessel for cruise schedules.
In addition, chartering a boat from one of the numerous charter services for a stress-free hour or day can be an ideal way to get out on the water and cruise around the Lake of the Ozarks. For a list of Lake-area charters, visit www.FunLake.com.
If you’re looking to get in the water, there are numerous lakeside swimming pools, swimming beaches and swim-up bars at the Lake of the Ozark’s most popular resorts and dining spots.
Spend an afternoon lounging poolside or lakeside while enjoying the company of your favorite friends along with delicious beverages and tasty treats to make the trip more memorable.
RETAIL THERAPY
For the ladies that plan to do a little (or a lot) of shopping while at the Lake of the Ozarks, they’ll enjoy browsing the Lake’s numerous shopping centers. From name-brand outlets to unique boutiques, Lake of the Ozarks provides a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for any “shopaholic.” Whether shopping for the home, family, outdoors or holidays, the hundreds of shops, big “box” stores and antique shops around the Lake have everything a shopper could want or need. And, to make the deals even sweeter, many of the Lake-area accommodations offer “Shop and Stay” or “Shop ’til You Drop” packages that include coupon books worth hundreds of dollars in savings. Some accommodations even throw in a pre-paid gift card for up to $50. To plan a shopping trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, visit FunLake.com and click on “Shopping” in the drop-down menu under the “Things to Do” tab on the website.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
For ladies that are interested in having a more adventurous, or perhaps a more non-traditional Girlfriend Getaway, the Lake of the Ozarks offers plenty of other activities that will be sure to please.
If golf is your game, the Lake of the Ozarks is home to 13 outstanding championship courses, each offering their own set of challenges that are as intriguing as the setting. Carved out of the rolling Ozark hills, the Lake’s courses favor golfers of all skill levels and attract players from across the country. And, most offer lessons with PGA professionals if there’s anyone in the group that has never played or would like to brush up on their skills, or, if the whole group would like to take lessons, that could be arranged, too.
For anglers, one of the most popular forms of recreation at this “Fun Lake” is prowling the waters casting for big fish. There are many resources available to visiting anglers to ensure a successful fishing trip. The Lake’s local guides know the waters better than almost anyone and make for a relaxing and effortless fishing experience. These professionals will take you to the Lake’s fishing “hot spots,” and will also provide the boat and all the equipment needed for the excursion. All you have to do is show up and your guide will take care of the rest.
The Lake of the Ozarks’ two celebrated state parks offer hikers and outdoor enthusiasts ample opportunities to stretch their legs and head off the beaten path to discover the area’s many hiking, walking and biking trails. Ha Ha Tonka State Park, named the “most beautiful place in Missouri by Condé Nast Traveler, features the ruins of a 1900s “castle” constructed atop a limestone bluff overlooking the Niangua River arm of the Lake as well as 13 hiking trails covering over 15 miles of the park located just outside of the City of Camdenton. Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri’s largest and most visited state park, offers 12 trails for hiking and biking covering over 42 miles as well as the state’s first self-guided Aquatic Trail that boaters can enjoy.
REST AND RELAXATION
Lake of the Ozarks vacationers have their pick of places to stay, from cozy bed and breakfasts to full-service resorts. A handful of Lake-area accommodations offer special Girlfriend Getaway Packages for their guests that include optional upgrades like wine service, spa treatments and gift cards, just to name a few. For all the lodging options available at the Lake of the Ozarks, including full-service resorts and family-owned resorts, condominiums and vacation homes, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels, and campgrounds and RV parks, click on the “Lodging” tab at www.FunLake.com.
To discover more ways to have fun at the Lake of the Ozarks and to get information on additional year-round attractions and events, as well as available dining options, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau’s award-winning website, www.FunLake.com, or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
# # #
For media assistance or high-resolution photography, please call The Beenders-Walker Group toll-free at 1-800-544-8474 or email Kyle Stewart, Jo Duncan, or Marjorie Beenders.
