Even if you love a cold winter, February is usually the month when warm-weather fun at the Lake starts sounding really good. But between now and the spring thaw, there are still some fun wintry things to do! Try one (or more) of these six ideas below, and you might even gain a new appreciation for winter at the Lake...

1. The Ice at Old Kinderhook

Many of Old Kinderhook's amenities are open to the public, but exclusive to the winter months is their outdoor ice rink. Surrounded by fire pits and twinkling lights, The Ice make you feel like you are skating in Central Park, without the skyscrapers and teeming masses. It's kind of surreal... 

The Ice at Old Kinderhook

Next to the rink is a cabana that serves hot chocolate, fixings for the kids to make s'mores, food and adult beverages. It really is the perfect place for a romantic date or to take the whole family. The Ice offers skate rental on site and if you're new to skating, they also give you an "ice walker" to help you out (which is highly recommended for newbies!) 

Admission

$10 plus $3 for skate rental (Hotel Guests: $8 plus $3 for skate rental)

Hours

Monday through Friday 5pm to 10pm

Saturday through Sunday 1pm to 10pm

(Closed Feb 12-13, 21)

Visit them on Facebook for Daily Open and Closed Status

Old Kinderhook

678 Old Kinderhook Drive

Camdenton, MO 65020

theice@oldkinderhook.com 

573-317-3525

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2. Stark Caverns

The largest cave in Miller county has unusually beautiful geological formations and interesting archeological artifacts. The entire cave tour is paved and lit, and 90 percent of the tour is handicap-accessible. It's a great activity in the winter because the inside temperature stays a mild 57 degrees year-round! On a cold February day, that's downright warm by comparison!

The cave has naturally occurring soda straws, flow stone, stalactites, stalagmites, helictites (bent soda straws), and giant, beautiful columns. It is also well-known for a very rare fossil it houses called a stromatolite. Stromatolite is a form of blue green sea algae that has fossilized all over the ceilings at Stark Caverns. 

Admission

Children (4 and under) Free

Children (5 - 12) $9

Adults (13+) $18

Hours

March – Labor Day: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

September - February: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Call to ensure the cave is open if the area is experiencing severe inclement weather. Stark Caverns will close if weather conditions become dangerous for its visitors.

Stark Caverns, 125 Cave Dr, Eldon, MO 65026

573-369-3306

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3. Bee's Knees Ale House

Looking to check out some local brews? Bee's Knees Ale House is a MUST. Brewmaster Chris Byars found his love for beer while working in Europe and came back to Missouri ready to craft amazingness. Year-round, customers can taste-test for their favorite from a flight of the five core brews: Bee’s Knees Electric Nectar, a Honey Blonde Ale; Flower Power, a Honey Wheat Beer; The Colony, an American Pale Ale; Six-Feet Bee-Low, an India Pale Ale; and Angus Sweat Bee-Sweet, a Stout. 

Bee's Knees Ale House, 106 W Jasper St, Versailles, MO 65084

(573) 539-2525

Hours

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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4. Live Music & Karaoke at Shawnee Bluff Winery

Another way to beat cabin fever: get out with some friends to Shawnee Bluff Winery! The atmosphere there is like hanging out at a friend's cabin who happens to serve great wine and amazing food. There are local musicians playing Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and evenings, as well as Sunday afternoons. Their musicians provide the perfect soundtrack for a special winter night at the Lake, whether it's a night out with friends or a long deserved date night. If you're feeling a little adventurous, go to the Tuesday night karaoke that starts at 5:00 p.m. Every week they serve $10 wine carafes on special wines and 1/2 off appetizers.  

Shawnee Bluff Winery, 2430 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO 65049

573-365-9935

Hours

Sun - Thurs: 11am - 9pm

(kitchen closes at 8pm)

Fri & Sat: 11am - 10pm

(kitchen closes at 9pm)

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5. Willmore Lodge Museum

The Willmore Lodge Museum has something for everyone, so kids and adults enjoy their time there, no matter how cold it is outside. It's packed with history that brings to life the making of the Lake of the Ozarks. Fantastic pictures, video and audio recordings help you jump back in time as they tell the story of the Great Osage River Project. The curious will get to see what the Bagnell Dam Strip looked like long before it was paved and even before skee-ball, bumper cars and fun houses drew tourists by the thousands!

Willmore Lodge, #1 Willmore Lane, P.O. Box 1570, Lake Ozark, Missouri 65049

800-451-4117 or 573-964-1008

Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 4:30pm

Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am -3:00pm

Closed Sunday only Nov 1 - Mar 31

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and during inclement weather.

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6. Celebration Cruises

Celebration is running three different cruises to help you enjoy the Lake this winter.

The Narrated Lake Cruise highlights the best Lake of the Ozarks Scenery. On Sunday afternoons it features live music by Shades of Sinatra. You can also choose to get lunch during your 1.5-hour-long cruise. Narrated Cruises board daily at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Cruises are $25 and Lunch is $11. 

An Evening Cruise is available daily (except Monday & Saturday) to combine happy hour with a scenic Lake cruise. During the 1-3/4-hours-long cruise you'll be able to enjoy a buffet dinner. Evening Cruises board at 5:30 p.m. Cruises are $25 and Dinner is $18. 

A romantic Candlelight Dinner Cruise runs every Saturday night. This cruise offers a full dinner menu, including prime rib, salmon, surf and turf along with a lot of other delicious options. Boarding starts at 5:30 p.m. Cruises are $25. Full Dinner Menu 

Celebration Cruises, 5085 Davis Drive, Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 480-3212


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