In the Ozark Mountains region of southwest Missouri, any time is an excellent time to go outdoors. From scoring a birdie on a golf course in Branson to birdwatching at an Audubon center in Joplin, there is an activity for everyone.
Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo, Branson
www.visittablerocklake.com
www.explorebranson.com/lakes/taneycomo
With Lake Taneycomo at its doorstep and Table Rock Lake just minutes away, Branson has plenty of water sports and activities for guests. There are slight differences between the two, though, according to Deborah Cohen, director of meeting and convention sales for the Branson/Lakes Area CVB.
“Lake Taneycomo has a calm atmosphere and is well-suited to activities like fishing,” she said, “while Table Rock Lake has more active sports.”
She added that there are kayaking options for groups on both lakes, and businesses such as Kayak Branson and White River Kayaking & Outdoors have plenty of experience with group outings.
Kayaking isn’t the only choice; there are a staggering number of things to do on the lakes, from stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, waterskiing, parasailing and fishing trips to the new craze of flyboarding, which involves strapping a specialized wake board to your feet and being propelled in the air by large jets of water pushing upward. Flyboard Branson operates on Table Rock Lake and gives pre-flight training to attendees who want the latest in water-bound adrenaline rushes.
Springfield Conservation Nature Center, Springfield
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov
Located within the city limits of Springfield are 79 acres of natural beauty waiting to be explored. The Springfield Conservation Nature Center and surrounding grounds are an excellent spot for relaxing downtime, and they also offer a number of interactive programs for groups, including guided hikes and workshops, or attendees can take things at their own pace with six different hiking trails totaling three miles.
“There’s a visitor center with educational displays, and trails that take you through different native habitats,” said Susan Wade, public relations manager for the Springfield CVB. “It’s operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, so the center is a great source of information whether you’re into birdwatching, wildflowers or just love nature.”
A covered pavilion is also on the grounds, making it the perfect spot for a catered box lunch.
Top of the Rock, Branson
www.topoftherock.com
It’s hard to determine which is more popular in Branson: fun on the lake or the area’s prizewinning golf courses.
“We always have groups asking for golf outings,” said Cohen, of the Branson/Lakes Area CVB. “One thing they usually want is to have something close to their lodging.”
Two such courses, Buffalo Ridge and Top of the Rock, are part of the Big Cedar Lodge brand. The courses are regular stops for the PGA Tour Champions Legends of Golf and have earned numerous accolades for their design and beauty. The lodge is happy to help planners set up a golf tournament or an event at the Arnold Palmer Driving Range as well.
After a few rounds in the sun, guests can take a golf cart tour at Top of the Rock’s Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. The cart tour takes guests past beautiful bluff formations and waterfalls, and there is even a walking trail for those who want to forgo the cart.
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Other golf courses in the region include the Thousand Hills Golf Club, part of the Thousand Hills Golf Resort, and Point Royale Golf Course, just down the road from the Chateau on the Lake.
Nathanael Greene Park/Close Memorial Park, Springfield
www.parkboard.org
“Nathanael Greene Park is a large city park with several gardens throughout, including a rose garden, daylily garden and even a vegetable garden,” Springfield CVB’s Wade said.
The park boasts 26 themed areas in the on-site Botanical Gardens, plus the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, a 7.5-acre garden with winding paths, a koi lake, a teahouse and a moon bridge. Several of the gardens, along with meeting rooms in the Botanical Center, are available for event rental.
Cater in a meal, and the site is a perfect all-in-one experience for a meeting, lunch and then an afternoon strolling the paved trails, visiting the gardens or checking out the Butterfly House. There is even a historic farmstead on-site; the Gray/Campbell Farmstead was built in 1856, making it the oldest home in Springfield. The house and grounds offer hands-on historical experiences from 1860s life on a farm.
Springfield Cardinals Game, Hammons Field, Springfield
www.milb.com
What’s a crisp, clear day without America’s favorite pastime? Springfield is definitely a baseball town, and an outing to see the hometown team is a great way to get outdoors. The Springfield Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team associated with the St. Louis Cardinals, so attendees may get to see a sports star in the making before they hit it big on the Major League level.
Groups can sit in the stands or choose a Dugout Deck for an on-site party during the game. There are five decks that can be used for different group sizes, from 20 to 40 guests, or planners can rent all five to accommodate 120 people. Group tickets also come with perks like free hats and the option to purchase a dinner package.
Parakeet Pete’s Waterfront Zipline and SKY Deck, Branson
www.parakeetpetes.com
It’s not unusual to find ziplines in gorgeous natural destinations, but Parakeet Pete’s has put a fresh spin on the zipline adventure: a thrill with a prize at the end. Attendees take the zipline over Lake Taneycomo and up to the 1,800-square-foot SKY Deck for a reception or dinner with cocktails. The facility offers both catering and shuttle services, making the evening an easy score for planners.
“The SKY Deck offers a beautiful view of downtown, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset,” Cohen said.
The Zip & Sip experience is popular with groups, especially those who have never ridden a zipline before and could use a drink afterward. The seats are similar to an amusement park ride—there’s no worry about harnesses or zipline wedgies—so guests can focus on the view and the party ahead on the deck.
Wildcat Glades Audubon Center, Joplin
http://wildcatglades.audubon.org
Nature lovers receive a treat when they meet in the Joplin area; the region is home to rare and biologically diverse habitats in Wildcat Park, making it an excellent stop for birdwatchers and trail fans. The Wildcat Glades Audubon Center trails range from easy to rugged and connect to the Joplin Metro trail system if planners want to arrange a longer hike.
The center also offers programming customized to each group, along with a variety of facility rentals for events. Spaces are available indoors and outdoors; Seminar Hall in the center itself can accommodate up to 125, or groups can choose an outdoor site like the bridge overlooking Shoal Creek.
Showboat Branson Belle, Branson
www.silverdollarcity.com/showboat-branson
The ultimate boating experience to impress attendees is the Showboat Branson Belle, an entertainment, dining and cruising attraction all rolled into one. This three-level, 1890s-style paddlewheeler offers more than gorgeous views of Table Rock Lake; it also has a full-size theater where groups can enjoy a three-course meal and live shows.
Groups are welcome, and the Belle can accommodate up to 700 guests with ease. The staff also works with planners to customize the experience with new catering options, using the upper deck for private events or creating a dance space for a party.
Planners can even choose whether to take the two-hour excursion around the lake or remain dockside at White River Landing, depending on the particular group’s needs.
