The great outdoors steals the show in Lake of the Ozarks, and groups gathering in the destination will surely want to savor the scenery when meetings adjourn.
Tim Jacobsen, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks CVB has three picks for planners wishing to incorporate the fresh air into agendas.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: One of Missouri’s most unusual and beautiful parks, Ha Ha Tonka State Park preserves the ruins of an early 1900s castle that burned in 1942. The ruins, set on a bluff overlooking the Lake, are a favorite visitor stop. The 3,600-acre park also offers 16 miles of trails accessing sinkholes, caves, springs, natural bridges and Ozark glades. For groups, the park staff has done wildflower tours and other guided tours. As an outdoor attraction, there is no limit on group size, although groups larger than 75 probably should split into smaller groups.
Lake Cruises: A great way for groups to get on the water and sample the lake’s natural beauty up close is on a lake cruise. Options include Tropic Island Cruises and Celebration Cruises, two 75-foot motor yachts offering sightseeing and meal charters for groups. Some groups choose to have drinks and snacks on their yacht then be dropped off at a lakeside restaurant for dinner. Afterward, they’re picked up and returned to their starting point with dessert and cordials onboard. Other groups go sightseeing and dine right on the boat. Both boats, with open-air as well as climate-controlled decks, offer narrated cruises and great food for groups of up to 150 people.
Golf Tournaments: With 17 courses and 261 holes of golf amid Ozark woodlands, the Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest’s premier golf destination. A golf tournament offers a fun way for groups to enjoy being outdoors. The golf season runs practically year-round at the lake and the courses offer all the amenities necessary for a first-class golf experience. The area’s tree-lined fairways, many overlooking the lake itself, appeal to everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. Lake courses will work with meeting planners to schedule tournaments for as many as 144 players or 288 with morning and afternoon shotgun starts. With multiple courses available, such a prescheduled activity could accommodate hundreds or even thousands of participants.
