Vacation at the lake - by Juliana Goodwin for Springfield News-Leader

Vacation at the lake Keeping your vacation plans close to home is not only good for our local economy, it can also help you save money but still have a great time. Juliana Goodwin • News-Leader • May 6, 2008 With soaring gas prices, he doesn't intend to cruise. Kennedy won't let fuel costs keep him off the water, but he and his family will scale back where they can. An easy place to save money is to pack a picnic for the boat instead of eating out, he said. A lot of families are planning their lake excursions this year and are looking for ways to save on vacation. The good news is there are plenty of free activities at both Table Rock Lake or Lake of the Ozarks, and discounts to be had. Savings begins with research, and luckily, we've done most of that for you. These tips will help you plan a lake vacation and protect your pocketbook. Discounts and Coupons There's no telling how gas prices will affect lake tourism, but Michelle Cook, director of marketing for Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at Lake of the Ozarks, thinks prices could boost tourism because people will stay closer to home. "So instead of Orlando or Myrtle Beach, they will come here for vacation," Cook said. If you're planning a Missouri vacation, a good place to start is the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site. Advertisement Lori Simms, communications administrator for the Missouri Division of Tourism, said residents can order a free vacation planner online. "And there are coupons in that book and they can order coupons online," Simms said. If you're planning a lake vacation, contact the local chamber of commerce, said Jo Hadley, director of special events for the Table Rock Chamber of Commerce in Kimberling City. "The chamber has in its vacation guide coupons from members. We have additional coupons in the visitors center for shows and meals. Those are from chamber members, so they are always current," Hadley said. For Lake of the Ozarks, order a vacation planner at www.funlake.com, suggested Rebecca Green, public relations manager at the Tri-County Lodging Association. The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has individual coupons and "coupon mania" booklets with 40 or 50 pages of coupons, everything from discounts on mini golf to pizza, Cook said. If you plan to explore Branson Landing, pick up a Branson Landing Passport at the management office, which offers discounts to restaurants and retailers. Check with your Branson hotel to see if it carries the passports. When visiting Branson, you may qualify for gas busters, said Lynn Berry, director of public relations for the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bring $40 worth of gas receipts (accumulated on the way to Branson) to the chamber and they will give you a gas buster discount card. "That is good for up to $50 of discounts at participating businesses in Branson. A discount on lodging, meals, retail purchases, tickets to shows and attractions -- if you use every one of them you would save $50 on vacation," Berry said. Free is key You may not be able to stack your entire vacation with freebies, but planning several free attractions will save you money. Find out when local festivals are being held and plan to spend a day exploring one. "There are all kinds of different festivals throughout the year and most of those are free," Cook said. It doesn't cost to enjoy nature. "There are so many beautiful things to see and do in the Ozark Mountains," Berry said. "We have miles and miles of hiking trails in and around the city of Branson." Walking around Branson Landing is a popular activity. There is a fire and light fountain show every hour on the hour from noon until 10 p.m., Berry said. "The newest thing in Branson is the Sight and Sound Theatre. They have an absolutely beautiful exterior and lobby, so if you just wanted to go into the lobby and enjoy ... it's just breathtaking," Berry said. Other popular attractions include Table Rock Dam. Just below the dam is Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, which attracts a quarter of a million people annually. It's the largest trout production facility in the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program and produces more than 1.1 million catchable trout. There's a visitor's center with aquariums, and guided hatchery tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can also spend the day at Table Rock State Park, said Hadley. There are picnic tables, hiking trails, a public boat launch and plenty of places to take a dip in the water. A few areas of the park are closed because of flooding, so check ahead to make sure that doesn't mess up your plans. Another free attraction is Stone Hill Winery in Branson, which offers free hourlong tours beginning at 8:30 a.m. Free wine tours and tastings are also available at Lake of the Ozarks. There are free tours and tastings at Casa de Loco Winery in Camdenton, said Dayna Viele, lodging and events manager. "Bring food, buy a bottle of wine and sit out on the deck. There is also a gift store that sells cheese. We have barbecue grills, so (visitors) can make a whole afternoon of it if they wanted," Viele said. Another option is Seven Springs Winery in Linn Creek, which opens May 24 and features a winery, free wine tasting, restaurant, walking trails, pond and views. People can buy a bottle of wine and bring their own picnic. Like Table Rock Dam, Bagnell Dam attracts tourists. So does Willmore Lodge, which was constructed in 1930 and is perched on a bluff overlooking the lake northwest of Bagnell Dam. Willmore Lodge houses the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and a small Bagnell Dam history museum, said Cook. "Just across from Willmore Lodge is the scenic lookout," she said. Another free attraction is the Swinging Bridge, off Missouri 42, between Lake Ozark and Brumley. This wood-planked suspension bridge was built around 1929. People can drive or walk across, although some opt against it, Cook said. "It's a photo (opportunity). It's not a big attraction, but one of the few remaining swinging bridges. ... There are not many around anymore. It's neat to see," Cook said. Ha Ha Tonka and Lake of the Ozarks State Park are popular with tourists. The state park has two public beaches, trails and picnic areas so a family could easily spend the day there for free, Green said. Other free area attractions include the Camden and Miller county museums and Thunder Mountain Conservation Area, just outside Camdenton. The conservation area has a viewing tower, panoramic views and archery range, Green said. "It's the lake. It's beautiful no matter where you go," Green said. more tips Planning ahead can save you money so you don't have to buy items at the last minute, said Kennedy. Make a list and follow it, he suggested. Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, life jackets, towels, floating noodles and ample drinks so you don't have to buy them on the water. If you're not driving far, grocery shopping in your hometown can save you money because you know where to find deals and what's on sale. Pack a cooler with groceries and take it on vacation, Kennedy said. Resort areas are usually more expensive. You're on vacation, so you're probably going to want to eat out at some point, but know when and where you can score a deal. For example, Bar Louie at Branson Landing offers $1 burgers after 5 p.m. every Tuesday night. If you're feeding kids, you can save a bundle. Call 336-2700. - If you plan to go boating, fill up your gas tank on land. Gas on the water is more expensive than gas on land. - If you can't afford boating, another option is to take a boat cruise, suggested Cook. Celebration Cruises at Lake of the Ozarks offers lunch and dinner cruises, but also lets you forgo your meal and ride for $15 per person. Branson Landing Princess has four cruises departing daily from Branson Landing. Despite high gas prices, Kennedy is still looking forward to spending time with his wife and their two teenage sons this summer. "It's good quality family time," Kennedy said. "The kids don't mind hanging with Mom and Dad when they can be on the water." -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com