Warmer months and school-free days are nearly upon us again. And that can only signal one thing: Johnson County residents are making preparations to head out for some fun in the sun, Midwestern-style.
Thanks to a variety of glorious lakes in the surrounding region, being landlocked in the Heartland doesn’t necessarily translate into a summer sans water recreation and resort-style vacations.
Here we highlight a few of Johnson County’s favorite lake destinations.
Lake of the Ozarks
It’s of little wonder that the Lake of the Ozarks’ lush green landscape and rippling blue waters for as far as the eye can see have drawn generations of Kansas City families for years upon years.
Spanning 92 miles from end to end and encompassing 54,000 acres, the Lake offers picturesque surroundings complete with dense forests, rolling hills, dramatic bluffs and meandering shoreline.
Toss in more than 100 restaurants, upscale shopping establishments and a magnificent mix of recreational activities, and it becomes clear why the Lake is an ideal, affordable and conveniently located retreat for families, couples and friends–really, just about anyone.
As the premier Mid-America vacation destination, the Lake offers a delightful array of fun for weekend visitors and those residing at their seasonal home away from home.
Created 75 years ago by the construction of the impressive Bagnell Dam, the Lake also serves as the centerpiece of more than a dozen Missouri communities.
Of course, no matter whether someone is a long-time resident or a summertime visitor, enjoying life in the easy, breezy, unhurried lane is what Lake of the Ozark living is really all about.
Deciding how to spend time at the Lake can be decidedly difficult, as the options are literally as endless as the Lake’s ever-churning currents. Think visiting restaurants and nightclubs by boat; dining on a moonlit cruise; sleeping on a houseboat, at a campground or in a plush hotel or condo; luxuriating the day away in water; teeing off at Lake-area golf courses or simply taking a hike among high cliffs or underground caves of the great outdoors.
The City of Osage Beach and Lake of the Ozarks State Park are popular hangouts on the east side of the Lake, while the west side has long been known as the “quiet side” with Versailles’ nostalgic downtown and quaint shopping in Gravois Mills, the Lake’s oldest town, platted in 1884.
The south side of the Lake is home to the area’s largest outdoor waterpark as well as the Lake’s only hands-on science museums.
The north side, site of Bagnell Dam, is where it all began. Here, there are plenty of waterfront resorts to enjoy as well as antique shops, miniature golf, parasailing and marinas that offer a variety of rentals and narrated cruises.
Whether someone is looking for a retreat that is quiet and serene or social and exciting, there is definitely a little something for everyone at the Lake of the Ozarks.
For a free Vacation & Service Guide covering the entire Lake of the Ozarks area, please call 1-800-FUNLAKE or visit www.funlake.com.
Table Rock Lake
Created in August of 1958 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Table Rock Dam across the White River, Table Rock Lake has evolved into a preferred vacation destination in southwestern Missouri’s Ozark Mountain Country.
Heralded for its supreme fishing opportunities, Table Rock Lake is a top choice for fishing enthusiasts who enjoy trying their luck in waters where bass, crappie, white bass, catfish and bluegill are abundant.
That said, the 43,000 acres of lake and 800 miles of shoreline create a captivating backdrop for those seeking a lakeside break from daily life.
Privately owned resorts, public campsites and swimming areas and a host of full-service marinas ensure plenty of recreational avenues for visitors.
Whether enjoying the soothing melody of a hidden waterfall or the amenities of a resort like Big Cedar tucked into the wooded hillsides of the Ozark Mountains on Table Rock Lake, a soul can’t help but be rejuvenated in such stunning surroundings as these.
Experience the beauty of the area aboard commercial boat cruises or see the underwater world up close and personal via scuba-diving.
And when the lure of nightlife comes calling, the lively city of Branson, billed as the live music show capital of the world, is just a short distance away.
For more information go to www.visittablerocklake.com.
Lake Lotawana
Just east of Johnson County is Lake Lotawana, an inviting yet intimate lake community. Home to a host of year-round residents (often of the neighborly sort who truly enjoy getting to know each other) this lake becomes a gathering ground for Johnson County-based lake-lovers, as well, in the warmer months.
Incorporated in 1958 and located in Jackson County, Mo., there are roughly 2,200 people who reside around Lake Lotawana, which is the Kansas City metro area’s largest lake. Roughly half of the residents live there year-round.
With 600 acres of surface water and 27 miles of shoreline, this shining oasis is conducive to sun-kissed days and evenings spent with family and friends skimming the water in a boat, savoring grilled summer fare or hanging out on a dock to take in a sunset.
Lake-goers really score a treat in July when the Lake Lotawana Association presents a spectacular fireworks display that simultaneously lights up the night sky while glistening in a mirror image on the Lake waters.
For an elegant change of pace, longtime residents and weekenders can enjoy the world-class cuisine and scenic surroundings that constitute perennial favorites at the Marina Grog & Galley.
Legend has it that Lake Lotawana derives its name from a Native American princess of days long ago. It is said that “Lotawana” translates into “sparkling water.”
Whether blanketed with summer speedboats, pontoon boats and billowy white sails or serenely empty save for those who know the lake best, the cerulean currents of Lake Lotawana faithfully offer all that is coveted by those who love life near the water’s edge.
To learn more visit www.lakelotawana.org.