Cover Story

ON THE COVER Indoor activities perfect for winter

Looking for something fun to do at the Lake this winter season? We’ve got some ideas to keep you from getting bored.

b.i.n.G.o.

It’s the game of chance. Bingo can be found at a couple of places in the area but the Elks Lodge in Laurie regularly plays every Monday at 12:30 p.m. Food is available for purchase and there’s lots of space for social distancing.

Xtreme Bar Bingo is not your grandmother’s bingo and is held at area bars and restaurants. Winners take home fun prizes and cash. The Regalia Hotel & Conference Center, Marty Byrds, and Blue Cat Tavern and Grill often host these free events.

Play like a kiD

The kids and grandkids will love this outing, but we are betting you will, too. A couple of local spots in Osage Beach are great indoor locations to play games and burn off some energy.

Miner Mikes has more than 50,000 square feet of games, rides, simulators and food making it a great place for fun on weekends through the winter. Jetz Trampoline Park is an active place with foam pits, the free-style tarmac, a jump zone and more. Lazer Force Lazer Tag is an indoor arena where you’ll be equipped with everything you need to seek out your opponent in a blacklight, fog-filled room. It’s something people of all ages can do.

leT THe GooD TiMes Roll

When’s the last time you’ve been bowling? There are a few local spots: Eagle Lanes in Osage Beach, Westside Lanes in Laurie, and Eldon Lanes in Eldon. Each place has different hours, and you’ll want to be sure to call ahead in case a league is scheduled to play. For a unique experience try Cosmic Bowling at Eagle Lanes.

Dance uP a sToRM

Put on your dancing shoes and head to La Roca Club - Event Venue & Night Club in Osage Beach. While the owners offer private dance lessons, the venue is a favorite place for dancing the night away. It has a night club feel with lights, a dance floor, bar serving the best martinis and even a pool table. Themed dance nights, ladies nights, holiday dances, and special events are being held all the time. A great place for girls night out. Check out their Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Join a book club

Are you a bookworm who would like to connect with other readers? Contact your nearest library for a list of local book clubs. Other activities often presented by the library include crafting, game nights, workshops, movie nights, music nights and more. (www.ccld.us/bookclubs for more information). If you’d prefer to stay at home, a good local place to stock up on books is Stonecrest Book N Toy in Osage Beach. With a great new and used selection, you’ll find plenty of reading material to relax with by the fire.

inDooR WaTeR fun

The cold air temperatures don’t have to keep you from jumping into the pool. The Lake area offers several indoor splash options.

Westlake Aquatic Center in Laurie is only open to members due to COVID right now, but this might be the right time to focus on your health and wellness with a membership. The Regalia Hotel and Conference Center has a spacious indoor pool and hot tub that you can pay to use for the day (memberships available through Evolve Fitness & Sauna).

For more of a thrill, Jolly Mon Indoor Park at Margaritaville Lake Resort offers waterslides, a lazy river, water features, an activity pool and many other activities. Open on weekends.

THe GReaT escaPe

Escape rooms are the latest rage, and there’s one available for fun right here at the Lake. Bring your family and friends and strategize your escape from one of the different themed rooms to choose from at Lake Escape on the Bagnell Dam Strip. Open Friday-Sunday or by appointment Monday-Thursday.

PaMPeR youRself

The blustery cold can lead to dry skin and an overall sluggish feeling. A facial or massage may just be the cure. Some spas offer other amenities such as saunas, hot tubs and relaxing features so be sure to look into each one to see what is available.

Infinity Float Spa at the Stone Crest Mall is a luxurious way to escape. Spend an hour or so floating in an isolation tank and you’ll feel the stress melt away. Driftwood Spa and Salon at Margaritaville Lake Resort has undergone a recent renovation. Spa Shiki is a favorite for their relaxing atmosphere and variety of amenities. Others include Spa 54 at Camden on the Lake and Spa 54 at Old Kinderhook. Winter is also a great time to visit a medical spa to reverse all that sun damage from too much exposure this summer.

VisiT THe biG scReen

In a world where you can stream anything on your home TV, it’s easy to burn a hole in your couch. But you just can’t get the same experience as watching a movie on the big screen. The movie theaters are open, and a bucket of buttered popcorn is waiting. Local theaters have implemented new guidelines including lowering capacity and spacing out seats in between families. They are also asking you to skip the line and purchase tickets online. Look for showtime at Eagles Landing Cinema in Lake Ozark and Lake West Cinema just outside of Laurie.

Need to spend a relaxing day at the spa? Driftwood Salon & Spa at Margaritaville Lake Resort has gone under some recent renovations

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Grab 20 of your friends and see a movie in your own personal auditorium. Eagles Landing is renting out them out for birthday parties or small social gatherings for $99.

GeT a HisToRy lesson

A charming historic schoolhouse serves as the location for the Camden County Museum. View artifacts from Lake area towns, tools, clothing, furniture, Civil War memorabilia, and Indian relics. Dinner theatre performances take place on the historical stage. Ongoing events and theater productions take place all year.

The Miller County and Morgan County museums also have history to share but be sure to check winter hours. The museum at Willmore Lodge is great to find out everything there is to know about the construction of Bagnell Dam.