This summer, we made the 13-hour drive to Table Rock Lake, Missouri for a family reunion — and it was absolutely worth every mile! 🚗✨ We broke up the trip with a few fun stops along the way and discovered some awesome spots that made the journey just as memorable as the destination.
🏙️ St. Louis, Missouri – BBQ, The Arch & More
Our first stop was St. Louis, arriving just in time for lunch. We couldn’t resist trying some famous St. Louis BBQ at Salt + Smoke in The Field District — and it did not disappoint! 🍖😋
After lunch, we took a short stroll over to the Gateway Arch. Booking our tickets online ahead of time made the whole process smooth — and it’s definitely a must since spots fill up quickly!
Before heading to the top, we explored the Arch Museum and watched the 3D film about St. Louis and the construction of the Arch — a quick, fascinating 15-minute experience the kids absolutely loved! 🎬✨
Click here for full half day St Louis Itinerary
From there, it was about a 3-hour drive to our lakefront home for the week: Serenity Shores.
🏡 Serenity Shores Resort – The Perfect Family Stay
Wow — what a place! 😍 Serenity Shores is a beautiful lakeside community with about 40 houses and townhomes. The amenities were incredible — docks, kayaks, canoes, pontoon rentals, two pools plus a splash pad and slide, , putt-putt, pickleball, basketball, a game room and more! 🎾⛳🏀
We came with a big family group for a reunion, and it was the perfect setup for everyone to relax, play, and spend time together.
We kicked things off with a pickleball match (of course!) and then spent most of our first few days either on the lake, in the lake, or by the pool. Pure summer bliss! ☀️💦
🌅 Evening at Big Cedar Lodge
One evening, we headed over to Big Cedar Lodge for their golf cart nature tour. 🚙🌿 The tour was such a fun way to explore, and we stopped at Osage Restaurant with a gorgeous view of the Ozarks — absolutely stunning! 🌄
🎭 A Day in Branson
We took one day to explore Branson, just a short drive away. In July, it was HOT 🔥, but we made the most of it with a delicious lunch, a little shopping, and a show at the Haygoods — what an experience! The talent and energy were amazing, and it was such a fun afternoon for all ages! 🎶
🎆 4th of July Celebration at the Resort
The timing of our trip couldn’t have been better — we were there for the 4th of July! 🇺🇸 The resort hosted a pool party night complete with pizza, games, and an epic fireworks show. It was such a fun and festive night surrounded by family. 🎇🍕💙
🦌 Bonus Stop: Springfield, Missouri
On our drive home, we made one last pit stop in Springfield, Missouri to visit the very first Bass Pro Shops — and wow! This place was massive! 🐟🏹 The kids loved exploring the attached Wonders of Wildlife Museum, and it was the perfect way to end our road trip adventure.
💬 Final Thoughts
We went into this trip not knowing exactly what to expect, but it quickly became one of our favorite family getaways. Between the lake days, resort fun, and scenic adventures, Table Rock Lake is definitely a place we’ll be coming back to! 💙🌲
