Photograph Courtesy of Chateau on the Lake
Lake of the Ozarks
Travel Time: 3 hours (180 miles)
Your days of wild exploits at Party Cove and crashing at friends’ condos might be over, but Lake of the Ozarks provides plenty for those seeking a relaxing yet memorable weekend.
First, where to stay? The Lodge of Four Seasons, Tan-Tar-A, and Country Club Hotel & Spa are the best-known resorts. Lodge of Four Seasons boasts some of the region’s top golf courses, including recently improved The Cove, as well as The Ridge, ranked a four-star course by Golf Digest. And Arnold Palmer–designed Osage National, at $65 during weekdays, is tough to top, too.
The entire family can shop at Osage Beach Premium Outlets or splash at Big Surf Waterpark. Nearby Ha Ha Tonka State Park offers hiking near a natural bridge and castle ruins. At night, The Horny Toad is the spot to dock and rock. There’s also lakeside seafood and tunes at Docknockers and Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog. And for something more upscale, newish eateries like Seven Springs Winery (sevenspringswinery.com) and Baxter’s Lakeside Grille are worth checking out.
Branson
Travel Time: 4 hours (250 miles)
We know what you’re thinking: busloads of seniors, endless traffic, and Presleys’ Country Jubilee. Think again. Today’s Branson has evolved beyond country music and congestion—if you know where to look.
Where you’re staying makes a big difference. A few nights at Chateau on the Lake or Big Cedar Lodge can radically alter your perspective on Branson. Like a castle overlooking Table Rock, the former houses a 10-story atrium lobby, an impressive buffet, and the $6 million Spa Chateau. Big Cedar also offers a spa, plus private cabins and breathtaking views. On the other side of Branson, along the shores of Lake Taneycomo, is what many locals call a godsend: Branson Landing. The downtown destination boasts 100-plus stores, ranging from Bass Pro to CJ Banks, plus restaurants like Cantina Laredo and a $7.5 million water-fountain spectacular synchronized to lights, music, and fire.
Outside of the shopping and shows, several other Branson destinations are worth a visit. Titanic Branson lets you step inside a replica of the famous ship and relive that fateful night in 1912. Payne Stewart Golf Club, a public course that’s part of the $200 million Branson Hills development, is slated to open nine more holes this month. And Dogwood Canyon Nature Park—an unspoiled stretch of wilderness south of Branson—offers fly-fishing, horseback riding, and a chance to see bison and elk.
