The Lake of the Ozarks is located in central Missouri and has over 1,150 miles of shoreline. It’s a must-visit Midwest summer destination with things to do in Lake of the Ozarks for the whole family!
We visited in June with our 2 year old for a long weekend and had so much fun exploring!
We flew into St.Louis and then rented a car for the remainder of the trip. You can also easily fly into Kansas City or drive if you are more local! I definitely recommend having a car in this area. This post is sponsored by Lake of the Ozarks, but all opinions are my own.
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks. It’s located in Osage Beach, MO which is right at the heart of the Ozarks so I can’t recommend this location enough! The resort is great for families with multiple outdoor pools, an indoor waterpark, beautiful rooms with balconies overlooking the water, and our favorite onsite restaurant: Landshark! We loved the fish tacos and getting a Landshark beer is a must while here.
Unique things to do in Lake of the Ozarks
Get donuts and coffee at Mo Co and Dough
These fresh made donuts were absolutely delicious and the people working were SO nice! Make sure to stop here early before they run out and to also get some coffee while you’re at it!
Shop at local boutiques
Also located on the Bagnell Dam Strip are some cute shops! My favorites were Summer Girl Boutique and Amandenimes. Fun for non-cheesy souvenirs and great clothes and accessories that you can take home!
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Get on the lake with Celebration Cruises
There are so many boat rentals available in the Ozarks and even at Margaritaville Lake Resort, but if you want to leave the driving for someone else and learn about the area while you’re at it, check out Celebration Cruises! We took the noon narrated cruise that sold snacks and drinks on board. It was so fun to see the lake from a different perspective!
Take a tour of Bridal Cave
Bridal Cave is one of the most unique things to do in Lake of the Ozarks. Tours start daily at 9 am and operate every 30 minutes. You wouldn’t need to make a reservation unless you’re visiting during an extremely busy time. This was a fun activity to do with our little girl as there was a lot to look at! Very knowledgeable guides too!
Stop for candy at Grandma’s Candy Kitchen
A popular spot on the Bagnell Dam strip is Grandma’s Candy Kitchen. Choose from lots of saltwater taffy, fudge, or your favorite sweets. We grabbed a bag of candy to munch on the entire weekend.
Explore Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park has so much to explore! We loved the short hike (full of lots of stairs – so beware!) to the beautiful blue water of the Ha Ha Tonka Spring. There’s amazing bluffs, a natural bridge, and even castle ruins to explore here!
Eat at local restaurants
The Lake of the Ozarks is full of great lakeside restaurants with epic patios, live music, and even swim up bars! Some of our favorites are Landshark Bar & Grill and Neon Taco! The guacamole at Neon Taco was amazing, and there’s so many fun margaritas to choose from too! We also heard great things about Dog Days Bar and Grill and 1932 Reserve.
Try a local winery
I’m convinced the nicest humans work at Shawnee Bluff Winery. It ended up raining while we were there and they were so accommodating to us and our daughter! If you’re able to sit outside, this spot offers great views of the lake and has great wine and food too! We also heard great things about Seven Springs Winery but didn’t have a chance to check it out.
We loved our long weekend full of unique things to do in Lake of the Ozarks. Next time we decided we’re going parasailing and jet skiing!
