Looking for the Midwest’s best lake resort? You want to go somewhere with great boating, outdoor activities, and tasty restaurants? Lake of the Ozarks is a great place for a romantic weekend getaway. There are many romantic and adventurous activities to enjoy. It’s no wonder Lake of the Ozarks has been named the #1 Recreation Lake by USA Today.
We’ll take you through the three best days and nights at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Day 1 of Golf and Spa Day at Old Kinderhook
The Lake of the Ozark golf trail offers 12 upscale resorts that offer championship golf courses. If you want to get a little more swing in your step, this is a great place to begin. Old Kinderhook, a property on the trail, was what drew us in.
The course is ranked second best in Missouri by Golf.com and one of the best in the Midwest. The 84 rooms of their hotel are located right on the greens. You can enjoy the stunning views of the beautifully manicured grounds throughout your stay, not just when you are on the course. Watch the sun set over the 18th and wake up with the mists rising from the water features.
Arrive at Old Kinderhook
Arrive at Old Kinderhook early in the afternoon. You can check in at 4:00 pm, but it’s best to arrive earlier so that you can take advantage of the resort. You might be able get checked in earlier, especially if your 3-day weekend starts on Friday.
Old Kinderhook can be found in Camdenton, Missouri. It is about a three-hour drive away from either St Louis, or Kansas City. Early afternoon arrival allows you to leave from these gateway cities in the morning and still have time for lunch.
Play at Old Kinderhook
Old Kinderhook is a great place to visit, even if golfing is not your thing. Spa 54 at Old Kinderhook is a full-service facility that pampers mind, body and spirit. A hot tub and a saltwater pool are also available. Relax and enjoy a good book on the balcony of your room overlooking the golf courses.
Old Kinderhook’s full-service shop is available to you if you want to play golf, take a golf lesson, or simply hit some balls on the practice range. Check for special stay and play packages. Hotel guests are always entitled to discounted green fees. Plan to play golf Monday through Thursday if you want the lowest prices and least amount of players. You can save $20 on green fees if you arrive Thursday afternoon, or play before you leave Monday morning.
Dinner at 1932 Reserve
Old Kinderhook has a stunning property but limited access to the lake. The water is visible from hole 7, and there are boat ramps and slips for private boaters. You can arrange special trips like a Sunset Cruise. We’re going to keep it simple for our weekend guide by suggesting dinner at the 1932 Reserve – Lake of the Ozarks premier fine dining restaurant.
We couldn’t agree with them more. 1932 Reserve boasts a vibrantly artistic atmosphere, and true Lake of the Ozarks spirit. The restaurant offers New American cuisine made with fresh farm-to table ingredients. You should book a table on the patio to enjoy your meal while watching the light of the day transform into the mystique of the night. Check out their full wine list or whimsical drink menu to find the perfect match for your meal.
Day 2: Discovering the Natural Wonders of Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks is home to not one, but two state parks. Ha Ha Tonka State Park, as well as Lake of the Ozarks State Park, offer a wide range of recreational activities including hiking trails that stretch for miles. Ha Ha Tonka has been named by Conde Nast Traveler as the Most Beautiful Place to be in Missouri and by USA Today readers the 4th best state park. It’s also right next to Old Kinderhook.
But we won’t stop there. You’ll need to wait until we tell you more. We’re sorry to keep you in suspense, but there are no hints.
Dealer’s Choice Breakfast
The Hook Cafe is a great place to eat breakfast. It’s convenient and delicious. We will cover this for lunch in the next section. Also, you can head to Camdenton and try the locally-owned Higher Grounds Coffee House. Even a granola-bar would be enough to get you started. All is well.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Why does everyone talk about Ha Ha Tonka? This is a small park with a lot of things to do. It also has beautiful scenery. The park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails that connect to the park’s main attractions. Kayak rentals are available, as is a paddling path on the park’s half-mile-long cove. This area is a no-wake zone. The eye candy highlights are what will make you swoon.
The ruins of Ha Ha Tonka Castle are located high on the bluffs. The building was built in the style of a European castle at the turn of century. It burned down in 1942 and now only the ruins are left. Ha Ha Tonka Springs is Missouri’s 12th biggest spring, which releases 48 million gallons per day of a blue-green water that’s out of this world. You can also find 3,000 acres in Missouri’s best-preserved woodlands, unique karst structures like balancing stones and a natural bridge and other unique formations. You’ll likely come home with a lot of photos if you visit.
Lunch at the Hook Cafe
Ha Ha Tonka may be a wonderful place to visit, but it’s not a romantic destination if you “smell” like a hiker. Old Kinderhook, which is just 10 minutes away, will allow you to freshen up before your fun afternoon. Stop by the Hook Cafe to grab a quick, casual meal without breaking the bank.
Bridal Cave Cool Down
Guessed what the afternoon’s’secret activity’ was? Bridal cave is appropriately named, as more than 3,775 weddings have taken place here. Glamour Magazine has rated it among the 10 most “crazy and awesome places to get married.”
Bridal cave is not a romantic stop because of the matrimonial ties. The cave is a beautiful spot to cool down on a hot afternoon. You will pass massive flowstone formations as you make your way towards a hidden underground lake. The calcite drapes the entire trail, despite its winding route. This makes it one of largest formations by volume in the world.
Dinner at Ixtapa Mexican Grill & Cantina
Ixtapa Mexican Grill & Cantina, in Camdenton, is a great place to stop for dinner on your way home from Bridal Cavern. Dine in the fresh air on the patio while enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine. Make a memorable sunset if it looks like one. For the best Ozarks sunset, cash out early and return to Ha Ha Tonka Ruins. Take it easy and enjoy their oversize Margaritas.
Day 3: Lake of the Ozarks On the Water
The third day of your romantic and adventurous trip is all about the water. It’s time to let your water spirit play. You’ll enjoy the best recreational lake of America, from beaches to boating paths, sipping or SUPing.
Breakfast at On the Rise Restaurant
On The Rise Restaurant The shop offers daily-changing pastries, confections and cakes. You can also choose from eight different Eggs Benedicts, baked vanilla bean French Toasts, banana fosters French Toast Longues, and many more delicious breakfast options. You’ll be fueled up for another day of fun adventures.
Cruise Lake of the Ozarks Water Trail
This 17,626-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park protects the Grand Glaize Arm almost entirely from developers. With over 2.5 million visitors a year, it is the most visited state park in Missouri. There are plenty of spots to relax and enjoy nature despite its popularity. Lake of the Ozarks has more shoreline (1,150 miles!) than the entire California coast. The entire California coast is more than 1,150 miles long.
It would be criminal to visit Lake of the Ozarks without a boat. Renting a pontoon and exploring the Lake of the Ozark Aquatic Trail is easy to do at the Grand Glaize Marina. You’ll start at the marina and explore the shoreline for almost 10 miles. 14 stops will give you a unique perspective on the history, geology, and nature of the park. If you’ve not already dived off your pontoon, you can cool down at the beach nearby after you return.
Lunch at Franky and Louie’s Bar & Grill Beachfront
The Caribbean is considered an attitude and not a latitude. Franky & Louie’s Beach Front Bar is proof. Like a small slice of the Florida Keys, it’s located at the Lake of the Ozarks. From the Key West colour scheme to Caribbean inspired food, you will be surrounded by an island vibe.
What exactly inspires you? It’s difficult to say. It’s most likely to drink frozen cocktails at the beach. There are certainly worse ways to spend the day.
Super Dave’s Paddle Craft Adventures
How can an ordinary Dave, become Super Dave? Every summer, Dave would come from Florida and park his RV at Franky & Louie’s campground. While he was down south for the winter, he came across a friend running a stand. Super Dave was born. He rents out paddleboards, kayaks and other watercraft to inspire the next generation. The bay in front of Franky and Louie’s has a perfect size for SUP exploration.
Super Dave is not just the man who makes Franky & Louie daiquiri jam and paddleboard peanut butter. His daughter and he raised eleven grand ducks from ducklings. He taught them how to fly and swim, and his favorite Elvis follows him to his camper each night.
Elvis isn’t like your average duck. After a run-in with an artificial fishing lure, his mouth looked more like a spoon of grapefruit than a teaspoon. His nestmates were initially rough with him. After he recovered, they realized they had brought spoons to the steak knife fight. Elvis became the king and claimed his place by Super Dave’s sides.
The Trophy Room at Old Kinderhook
It is not to be overlooked that the Trophy Room in Old Kinderhook offers a unique dining experience. The Trophy Room at Old Kinderhook offers a upscale menu of chophouse dishes, with many ingredients from the Old Kinderhook gardens.
We missed our Old Kinderhook meal. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at 9 pm during the week. We’ll tell you everything when we return. We’ll let their hundreds 4-star reviews do the talking until then.
Lake of the Ozarks: Romantic and adventurous things to do
Lake of the Ozarks, not only is the best recreational lake of America, but it’s a romantic destination as well. Combining its natural beauty, aquatic adventures and elegance of the Golf Culture you can get a 1-2-3 combo of things to do. This is a great beach vacation within driving distance of most of mid-America.
You can change the itinerary. You could, for example, swap the dinner at Ixtapa with the Trophy Room on the second night and then head home from Franky and Louie. This will allow you to have a traditional weekend getaway of 3 days/2 nights and return home on Monday morning. The mid-week rate allows you to stay longer, and even play golf on Monday. Make the most of your vacation!