Tag: Missouri

Lake of the Ozarks: A man made attraction

Lake of the Ozarks was created 72 years ago to create hydro electricity from the Osage river by building the Bagnell dam. The Lake of the Ozarks covers 55,000 acres and has 1300 miles of shoreline and is close to Jefferson city and St. Louis. The man made attraction is popular for its water activities, two State parks, and the Osage Premium Outlet shopping!

Lake of the Ozarks is a perfect destination for spending quality family time. The Lake of the Ozark State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park (free admission) are near to the Lake of the Ozarks which offer natural attractions. Rent a log cabin in the woods for a natural living experience or camp out in the many campsites available. Parasailing is one of the popular activity in the Lake of the Ozarks. Dinner cruises and narrated cruises on the water are good for enjoying the nature. Boat rentals and jet boats can be taken for your personal use. Golfing, fishing, and camping are other fun activities.

Bridal cave is under the Thunder mountain park and is believed to be a place where native American couples got married. You can reserve a spot there for your wedding too. The Big Surf Water Park is famous for its water rides and beaches. If you are adventure enough, you can try the stand up paddle craft at the Super Daves paddle rafting. Kiddy kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats are also available there. Zippy’s ziplines are great for trying out their three creative zip lines and picnic areas!

Wineries are plenty in and around the Lake of the Ozarks where you can relax an try out different drinks. Visit the Willmore Lodge near the Bagnell bridge for a brief peak into the history of the area. Camden county museum, Miller county museum, and Morgan county museum are the other museums open for visitors. All the museums are free of charge! There is plenty of shopping along the shores and around the area for purchasing unique items in that area.

Lake of the Ozarks is great for enjoying the nature and spending quality time with family and friends. It is a popular destination from visitors all over the country. Visit Mark Twain museum and caves in Hannibal Missouri on the way to the Lake of the Ozarks if you are travelling from the Quad Cities area.

 

June Events – Quad Cities

The onset of summer and the Memorial day mark the beginning of many local events. With short trips during the weekends, get the most of the summer and the warm weather. Here is a heads up on June events in and around Quad Cities.

  1. American Pickers Weekend – Visit LeClaire, Iowa for the annual event on June 4th and 5th based on the famous History Channel show ‘American Pickers’. Visit the levee for free music and other shows.
  2. Superman Celebration – The annual celebration from June 9th to 12th provides a unique opportunity to view hundreds in the Superman costume in Metropolis, Illinois.
  3. Mardi Gras in the District – The downtown Rock Island will  host the Mardi Gras festival on June 10th and June 11th hosting entertainment and providing festive mood.
  4. Tom Sawyer Day – Visit the boyhood home of Mark Twain in Hannibal, MO and celebrate the Tom Sawyer Day on June 11th apart from other free events.
  5. Music on the Lawn – The Butterworth center hosts free  music show on June 15th at 9.30 am and 1 pm by famous band.
  6. Quad City Air Show – The Davenport air show is a must watch on June 18th and 19th. It costs $15 per adult, $6 per child, free for children under 3. Book tickets online or at local Hy-Vee stores.
  7. Back Water Gamblers – The free ski show by the volunteers is performed at Rock Island every Wednesdays and Sundays at 6.30 pm up to Labor day.
  8. Butterfly Day – The Quad City Botanical Center will host the butterfly show for children on June 19th 1pm to 3pm at the rate of $5 per person.
  9. Niabi Zoo Wildfest – The zoo and local sponsors host special events and activities for children apart from the regular zoo admission. Niabi zoo is hosting the kids wild fest on June 25th from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
  10. Blossoms on the Butterworth – Visit the Butterworth Center in Moline on June 26th 12 pm to 5pm for the free event and goodies.

Enjoy the events and let me know if you find any more. 🙂

St.Louis, Missouri – The Gateway to the West

Many friends boasted about their visit to St. Louis, Missouri, which I did not understand until I saw it myself. The Arch, the Zoo and other attractions make St. Louis a popular destination for a weekend. Quad city residents can visit St. Louis in Missouri for a educational and historical trip as well as fun destination.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is located around 264 miles from Quad cities and takes five hours to get there. The scenic drive takes you through the green Illinois down south through Springfield, the capital of Illinois. St. Louis located on the border of Missouri and is a great trip for adults and children.

The city has great history in civil war, world war period and was home to popular travelers. The city has gret historical importance and is considered as the ‘Gateway to the West’.

The Arch

The Gateway Arch is a National Historic Landmark and is a part of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The Arch is an iconic image of the city and stands 630 feet height and 630 feet wide. It is a master piece of engineering as with the other structures. The triangular plates merged to form a hollow structure and offer a unique visiting experience for visitors.

Visitors can get to the top of Arch and view  the city and the Mississippi river from the top of the Arch up to 30 miles on a clear day. The trams leave every ten minutes and carry the visitors up and down the Arch. The stairs built to the top offer a safe route for visitors in case of any emergency in the trams. The ride to the top in the tram is the same as sitting in an elevator.

Other attractions

St. Louis has many popular attractions apart from the Arch. The Forest Park, Zoo, Botanical garden, museums, Anheuser-Busch Brewery among others are worth visiting. The horse ride in the downtown amidst beautifully lit buildings is a unique experience for visitors.

St. Louis has all kinds of activities for children and adults throughout the year. Kids can plan arts, fun, wacky, smart activities in St. Louis. The city has boat tours, guided tours, segway trips and other options for getting around. 🙂