Osage Beach MO [Archive]

ozarkmom

05-23-2006, 02:13 PM

Still trying to figure out what we're doing this year. I thought about spending some time in Branson and going to Osage Beach. Tell me everything there is to tell. We would be travelling with teens. I've never been there and I don't know anyone who has.

fordarama

05-23-2006, 03:31 PM

i've never been there, but i have found some really nice lake houses there..I didn't realize where it was when i first seen it.. It's a shame it's to far for us..I'm curious about it as well.

can'tcatchup

05-23-2006, 03:58 PM

Here's some websites:

http://www.funlake.com/

http://www.lakeozark.com/

http://www.lake-ozarks.com/lo/

http://www.livelakeozarks.com/

http://www.tan-tar-a.com/

http://www.mostateparks.com/lakeozark.htm

http://www.odd.net/ozarks/parks/haha.htm - this one is one of my favorite places in the state

Blaze2

05-23-2006, 04:01 PM

http://images.hotel-rates.com/hotelimages/s/001000/001352A.jpg

This Resort looks great! :D
http://www.tan-tar-a.com/

http://www.osagebeach.org/

http://hotel-guides.us/missouri/osage-beach-mo-hotels.html

ggh

05-23-2006, 04:07 PM

CHRISTISAM2001

05-23-2006, 08:42 PM

Not sure what you have planned. I am as close to Osage Beach as I am to Branson, but we never go to Osage Beach anymore.

The lake, is IMO, too choppy to ski on unless you are in a cove, and half the coves are party spots.

Osage Beach has more bars and places to dance than you'll find in Branson - and they have a nice shopping mall.

In Branson you will find folks on the lakes fishing, skiing, and folks having a good time on their houseboats. In Osage Beach, I think there's much more 'who's got the biggest, newest, most expensive shiney new boat on the lake', and who's got the gal with the darkest tan, and the biggest boobs, and willing to walk the street in their bikini after I rub her down with oil kind of thing going on.

I find Branson to be much friendlier, more family focused and more to do than Osage Beach.

We went to Osage Beach last year because I won a trip there on Missouritravel.com. And GGH is right, people are ALOT friendlier in Branson than Osage Beach. The atmospher is totaly different to me. We stayed at Tan Tar A resort and it was very nice, the indoor water park was a blast. And the big outlet mall was nice. But TO ME Branson is sooo much better. The whole time we were at Osage we were wishing we were in Branson. lol... But oh well , it was a free trip!!!! :frog:

ozarkmom

05-24-2006, 10:40 AM

Yeah I found a board where some guy was talking about some big party on the lake with women showing their bxxxx and it may not be what I'm looking for.

can'tcatchup

05-24-2006, 10:46 AM

http://www.odd.net/ozarks/parks/haha.htm - this one is one of my favorite places in the state

Do consider stopping in here next time you're in the Lake of the Ozarks area. It's not far from Camdenton .... not really in the heavily commercialized Lake Ozark or Osage Beach area. Not all of that area is a "partying" atmosphere. :)

Lydia1959

05-24-2006, 08:58 PM

My family will be going there this year since it is about 3 hours closer to us than Branson is. I definately like Branson much better. Osage Beach has lots of watersports, shopping, but not a lot more (at least last time I was there). It is a good place for teens - party atmosphere. It is where I took my own Senior trip way back in '77.;)

I think we are going in July. No plans made yet, I'm procrastinating.

If you get there before me, post back with things to do!!

him8nc

05-25-2006, 09:58 PM

Osage Beach is FULL because the folks around KC and St. L still seem to think of it first when they're looking for a place to get away.

Branson is still a best-kept-secret in this regard. People still seem to think of it as a haven for busloads of elderly folks. (Sorry -- Hope that doesn't sound harsh to any elderly folks on this board. My folks are just entering their 70s and I can't believe it because they seem young to me. Plus, as you get older yourself, those "old" ages don't seem near as "old" as they did before.)

There's a cool place in Osage Beach called Miner Mike's. It's across from the outlet mall. Kind of a miniature indoor theme park. Indoor roller coast and lots of games. But the teens you're with might think it's too babyish.

The outlet mall in Osage Beach has most of the same stores as the outlet malls in Branson, so if you're an outlet mall shopper you won't be too excited by what you find there. Same stuff in a different setting. No big deal.

Lots of boats that are WAY TOO BIG are on the water at Lake of the Ozarks. WAY too big. Hard to enjoy the water with all of that wake going on.

Not nearly as much to do entertainment-wise either.

Cheesecake

05-25-2006, 10:07 PM

Im sure Osage Beach is wonderful........
But on the local news tonight it said that the tiny population of Osage goes up 100,000(did they mean in one day? surely not) or more in the summertime.

The traffic is so bad, the little Police Dept has hired 3 Traffic Engineers, to go out and arrange the traffic, so it will move fast in case of a traffic jam.

Anyway...the people/population crunch is overwhelming......
So, if you like lots of people, .............

Man...I wish I had written down the numbers........I was shocked that so many people could be there at one time.........(humor me, I live on a farm) ...I should delete this.:frog:

ggh

05-26-2006, 08:19 AM

Driving through 76 an hour before a show, is similar to driving to the Osage Beach area on a weekend. The boats are numerous, coming and going, and slow the traffic, although much of it is 4 lane, traffic is still slowed.

The wakes on the lake are almost ocean like - someone mentioned the BIG, too BIG boats on the lake, and there are many large boats on the lake - but I cannot imagine trying to be on the lake in a skiing boat, the wakes are so big you get bounced hard - that might be fun to some, but not to me. I want to be on a boat big enough to absorb some of the wake.

him8nc

05-27-2006, 03:40 PM

And it's EASY to avoid the slow traffic of 76 in Branson. Plenty of backroads and they're easy to maneuver. I don't know of any backroads that you can zip around on through the Lakes of the Ozarks area. There are lots of side roads that run along the lake but the ones I've found myself on are residential rather than something to cut through.

Janet89

06-22-2006, 01:09 PM

I just looked in this section and noticed this post. We live about 20 minutes from Osage Beach, and have lived here all our lives. I don't know if you are still considering the lake, but I'll give my opinion.;) The outlet mall is very nice, but it is basically the same stores that Branson has, but in one location. Miner Mike's is a nice place, they do have a teen/adult area (unless they have closed it, haven't been in a few years). That area has lots of arcade games. There are several mini golf courses, a very popular one is Sugar Creek which is on Business 54 toward the Dam. There are also several go-cart tracks (not as impressive as the Tracks). The strip is also down Bus. 54 right before Bagnall Dam. There are some nostalgic arcades and skee-ball down there. Big Surf is a waterpark between Osage Beach and Camdenton. I believe it is smaller than White Water (haven't been to WW for many years). But, it is clean and fun for a day. There are lots of specialty shops, too. As for boating, I would suggest visiting through the week. The lake is less rough beginning Sunday evening. One of our favorite boating trips is to Ha Ha Tonka state park. You can drive there also, but we enjoy the boat ride. You can swim up to where a natural spring flows into the Lake. The water is unbelievably cold! You can also tour the ruins there. Bridal Cave also has a dock on the Lake so you can tour that. It is on the way to Ha Ha Tonka. Of course, both of these areas can be driven to.
As for restaurants, in the last couple of years lots of chains have came to town. There are many fun restaurants on the water (you can drive to these, but sometimes it is quite a trip!!) Horny Toad is having some concerts this summer including Styx and some other classic rock groups.
If I was visiting the Lake, I would probably rent a condo. There are tons of them, and many of the hotels and resorts on the water are old (there are still some good ones out there, though). Sorry that I just saw your post. Feel free to ask me questions.

can'tcatchup

06-22-2006, 01:45 PM

One of our favorite boating trips is to Ha Ha Tonka state park. You can drive there also, but we enjoy the boat ride. You can swim up to where a natural spring flows into the Lake. The water is unbelievably cold! You can also tour the ruins there.

Janet89, I'm glad to see someone here agree with me about Ha Ha Tonka!!! :)

Busgoddess10

06-22-2006, 03:17 PM

Tried Osage Beach on several times. Okay if you want to go out on a BIG Boat and Party at the Party Cove. Not quite a family atmosphere!

Branson is certainly cheaper to visit. Lots for everyone of all ages to do.

Go-Carts were very expensive as was lodging and dining!

It'll be Branson for us from here on out!

Janet89

06-23-2006, 08:58 AM

I can't say I blame you, BusGoddess. Don't get me wrong. I do appreciate living near the Lake and I would never want to live anywhere else. We just avoid it now on the weekends, except for going out to eat. We used to spend every weekend on the Lake with our Waverunner, but it has just become too busy for us on the weekends. Party Cove is overran with huge boats, plastic women in tiny thongs and lots of naughtiness. However, you can still have lots of fun on the Lake through the week.
Branson does have lots more for families. I wish my husband liked Branson more, but he doesn't. He doesn't care much for shows or the amusement parks, and definately NOT shopping! :eek: We have spent vacations on Table Rock, though. It was always a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Lake of the Ozarks. I really would like to spend the Super Summer Cruise weekend on Table Rock and take in the cars, too. Not sure we will make it due to crazy summer schedules. Our son goes back to school Aug. 17, too.
can'tcatchup, Yes, Ha Ha Tonka is my favorite place to be on the Lake. The natural beauty of that area cannot be beat! We are supposed to go boating with friends one of these Wednesdays, and that will be my vote!