How do you spend a couple of days at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozark Mountains? Bring your golf golf equipment. Or do not. There’s lots to do both means.
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We’re driving south, and Highway 65 goes up and down like a rollercoaster as we close to Arkansas. The excessive elevation adjustments make me surprise how lengthy it would take to run up certainly one of these steep inclines. I think about a bit of jogger off to my proper, combating his means up the hill. If you haven’t guessed by now, the thoughts is wandering. It’s been a straightforward however lengthy drive — a straight shot south from the Twin Cities — however now our vacation spot is inching nearer. This undulating freeway, the topography and thick, inexperienced, tree-covered panorama provides the Ozark Mountains away.
Two youngsters are sleeping in the again seat, one with snacks nonetheless in hand. I flip to my spouse and ask, as any good husband would, what her purpose is for this trip.
“Good attitudes and healthy kids,” she deadpans. With two youngsters beneath 5, the occasional tantrum and pesky chilly are commonplace in our family, as they’re in others. The excellent news? We had little to fear about when it got here to the tantrum half. We had been minutes away from Big Cedar Lodge, which is properly referred to as a golf mecca however, as we had been about to discover out, provides a lot extra.
So, what did we be taught? Here are 20 tips for pulling off the perfect family getaway (full with some golf) to Big Cedar Lodge.
1. Keep your map useful always
This place is big. Like, actually massive. Like, 4,600 acres massive. But the check-in to Big Cedar Lodge is fast and seamless they usually equip you with every part you want. Snag your map, they usually’ll additionally present you the way to entry one other digital model in your cellphone. You’ll want ’em.
1a. By the finish of the trip, we had been professionals traversing the property, making our means to totally different swimming pools and buildings and points of interest. But you actually don’t even have to fear about driving your self. Many of the 300-plus rooms, cottages or cabins (in all sizes and price points) are proper in the essential part of the property, so you may stroll, however there are additionally shuttles you may name for rides. We used them typically.
1b. For the unfamiliar, Big Cedar Lodge is in Ridgedale, Mo., the creation of Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. It’s billed as a wilderness resort, however simply since you won’t like fishing doesn’t imply you received’t like this place. (And for extra on Morris and the evolution of Big Cedar, try this GOLF Magazine function from final 12 months.)
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2. Explore the grounds
Now that you’ve your map, go see every part there may be to provide. The property is sprawling, however there’s totally different eating places and swimming pools and issues to do throughout, so you might have choices and may decide what’s shut. We tried to go to as many spots as we might, however we nonetheless didn’t even hit a few the swimming pools.
2a. Speaking of the swimming pools, have youngsters? There are tons of swimming choices. We took dips in the Devil’s Pool, Swimmin’ Hole Pool and Lakeside Pool, but didn’t even get to all of them (together with the indoor choice and lazy river). There’s additionally the marina, the place you may grasp by the seaside and play in Table Rock Lake. There’s an grownup pool, too, if that’s your factor. But like I stated, our youngsters are beneath 5. You assume we stepped foot in that space? Please.
3. Test out as many eating places as you may
They are plentiful and equally scrumptious. There’s every part from fast eats (Truman Cafe and Custard) to poolside grub (the Devil’s Pool), barely extra elevated fare (Arnie’s Barn) and fancier dinners with killer views (Osage Restaurant). There’s additionally a wine cellar (End of the Trail) with a whiskey room and a basement pub (Buzzard Bar) with dwell music.
3a. Make certain you do the breakfast buffet at Devil’s Pool Restaurant not less than as soon as. We stacked our plates excessive with carbs and fruit and extra carbs.
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4. Find the ice cream
The Swimmin’ Hole is the solely pool that has gentle serve ice cream. But you can too get ice cream at Truman’s throughout the road.
5. Don’t neglect the mini golf
Located in the center of the essential property, proper subsequent to a pickleball court docket and a playset for youths, is a nine-hole mini golf course that’s free to play. There’s no enroll; simply drop by whenever you need, seize your items and go. They have putters, balls, scorecards and pencils sitting out.
5a. I took my son there for one spherical. He’s 2 1/2, so it was a questionable choice, however we gave it a go. He had a ton of enjoyable placing on the apply inexperienced, however issues didn’t go fairly as easily after we began our nine-hole spherical. We completed six of the 9 holes. Not dangerous.
6. Visit Fun Mountain
It’s actually known as Fun Mountain, however this place backs up its identify. Situated on high of a hill overlooking the property, Fun Mountain has — deep breath right here — go-carts, a ropes course, mountain climbing, bumper automobiles, bowling, laser tag, billiards, a large playset, golf simulator, two eating places and an arcade loaded with video games.
6a. Go early in the morning when it first opens, as a result of this place can get busy, particularly on bad-weather days. Luckily there’s heaps to do to unfold individuals out.
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7. Play golf (duh)
This is the apparent one. But you already know what’s loopy? I performed simply sooner or later — Payne’s Valley in the morning and Top of the Rock in the afternoon — and my time at Big Cedar Lodge was nonetheless packed. That’s the great thing about this place. It might be as golfy as you need, however there’s nonetheless a lot else to do this the golf doesn’t have to be the star of your trip. That stated…
7a. The golf course might simply be the star of your trip. There are three 18-hole programs — Ozarks National (Coore and Crenshaw), Buffalo Ridge Springs (Tom Fazio) and Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods) — plus a nine-hole par-3 course in Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus) and 13-hole brief course Mountain Top (Gary Player/Johnny Morris). All are unique and worth playing, regardless that it could be robust to squeeze all of them in on one trip. Ozarks National and Payne’s Valley are two of the greatest 4 programs in the state. While Payne’s Valley’s greens charge has risen with its recognition ($350 peak), the different programs vary from $80 to $225.
7b. The par-3 and brief course are perfect if you’d like to squeeze in a bit of golf with out being gone the total day or play a laid-back night spherical. That’s what I did, and it was my favourite spherical of the 12 months.
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Edward C. Robison III
8. Payne’s Valley is nearly as good as marketed
Payne’s Valley would possibly get the most consideration amongst the programs, and it’s simple to see why. It’s Tiger Woods’ first public design, it opened in 2020 and later made its TV debut for a star-studded match-play occasion that included Woods, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. With its huge fairways, dramatic views and a 15-time major-winner connected to it, the course was such a success that Big Cedar Lodge’s web site momentarily went down due to excessive visitors throughout the match. That’s what you name good promoting.
8a. I learn a bit about Payne’s Valley earlier than I performed it, nevertheless it exceeded expectations. It boasts million-dollar views, engaging threat/reward holes and, better of all, it’s playable — one thing that’s essential to good resort golf. Payne’s Valley is called after Payne Stewart, the three-time main champ and Ozarks native who died tragically in a airplane crash in 1999.
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9. Check out the consolation station at Payne’s Valley
The Crow’s Nest is the consolation station you’ll cross a couple of instances throughout your spherical, however you’ll first see it after the seventh gap. (It’s additionally an important place to escape the rain, like we did at the moment.) There you’ll discover drinks and snacks to gas up in your spherical, nevertheless it’s additionally the solely place on the total property the place you may get Payne’s Valley gear with a slick alternate emblem. (I went with a T-shirt.)
10. Don’t skip the nineteenth gap at Payne’s Valley
This is hardly a tip. There’s no means you’re driving previous this treasure. Perhaps you’ve seen it earlier than, nevertheless it’s a 130-yard-ish par 3 from an elevated tee to an island inexperienced that’s nestled inside a 200-foot limestone cliff and waterfall. It’s an important spot to settle bets or finish your spherical in a memorable means.
11. Treat your self
The Cedar Creek Spa is eighteen,000 sq. toes and has a ton of choices to select from (massages, manicures, pedicures and extra). My spouse and daughter went with the Royal Treatment, which is a mommy-and-me expertise through which the child will get spoiled like a princess on her birthday. It was my daughter’s favourite a part of the total trip.
11a. This isn’t only for females, although. A ton of males cease there as properly. Hey, after lengthy days on the golf course, caring for your again, toes and arms is essential.
12. Definitely don’t skip the Top of the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail
Everyone I talked to on-site — there are a variety of pleasant individuals on shuttles or poolside — raved about the Lost Canyon and Nature Trail at Top of the Rock. I can see why. It’s a 2 1/2-mile cruise on an electrical cart — you may let the youngsters (fastidiously!) drive — that weaves by means of wooded forests, steep canyons, breathtaking rock formations and sumptuous waterfalls. Oh, and it even goes by means of a cave! (Make certain to flip your lights on.) There are a bunch of spots to park the cart and leap on and off to go searching and take photos whereas on the path. It can take you wherever from 45 minutes to two hours.
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Josh Berhow
13. Grab a drink in the Bat Bar
Need an grownup beverage whereas on the path? You can snag one in the aforementioned cave, which has a grab-and-go spot known as — what else? — the Bat Bar.
14. But then have dinner at the Osage Restaurant
The Osage Restaurant is certainly one of a number of at Big Cedar Lodge, and certainly one of a pair at the Top of the Rock, the place you may take pleasure in a few of the greatest views on the property. It’s additionally only a fast drive or shuttle experience from the Rock Lost Canyon and Nature Trail, so it’s handy to knock these out again to again.
14a. The Osage is certainly one of the extra formal eating spots on the property — though it’s nonetheless not stuffy — so whereas at different locations you may put on flip-flops and eat nachos poolside, right here you want a collared shirt.
14b. The 21 Ingredient Spinach Dip is a improbable appetizer. And be sure that to order the Crispy Brussel Sprouts as a facet to any of the entrees, which vary from center-cut filets to wood-fired rooster and glazed salmon.
14c. After dinner, take an image from the balcony of the Osage, with the Chapel of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake (each beneath) in the background. You are welcome.
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15. Check out the Cathedral of Nature sinkhole
If you eat dinner at the Osage or play the Top of the Rock, you received’t miss this. In 2015, a sinkhole opened right here and proprietor Johnny Morris was tasked with determining subsequent steps. But as a substitute of simply stabilizing the remaining construction and transferring on, Morris determined to maintain digging and see what they might discover. Hundreds of 1000’s of truckloads of dust have been excavated and the digging continues. It was initially 40 toes deep, however now it’s greater than 200. You can’t go down there however you may nonetheless get glimpse of it.
16. Sign up for the Hoop Dee Doo
This is an all-terrain trip round the property. You begin by assembly at the marina, go for a fast guided pontoon spin on Table Rock Lake after which take a tractor experience — a child favourite! — to the garden space, the place you’ll have a BBQ dinner on picnic tables as youngsters can play garden video games, compete in a hula-hoop content material and roast s’mores.
16a. After a few days of wrangling youngsters to sit nonetheless inside eating places, it was a pleasant change to eat an off-the-cuff meal on picnic tables outdoors. Plus, the no-frills packed dinners had been scrumptious.
16b. After dinner, you’ll leap again on the tractor trailer and head out for a fast buzz round the property. Your information will feed you information on the resort’s historical past and its proprietor, Johnny Morris, whereas additionally taking a pit cease at Falls Lodge, the place you may stroll out to the again balcony and soak up the candy sundown over the water.
Edward C. Robison III
17. Buy one thing at The Shoppe
You know the way most present retailers at some resorts are full of overpriced sweatshirts and logoed mugs? This wasn’t that. The costs are surprisingly cheap, so you may take house some cool swag for your self and others. (I went with a whiskey decanter for $30.)
18. Look for fireflies at evening
This was a easy however fantastic distraction one night. It’s the little issues, individuals.
19. Too late in your summer season trip? Go in the winter
As one particular person instructed us: “this place is a Hallmark movie around Christmas.” She wasn’t the just one. That was a standard theme we heard all through our keep. Hundreds of Christmas bushes dot the property, which is blanketed in twinkle lights throughout the holidays. That’s additionally perfect wood-burning fireplace season, which is precisely what you’ll discover in lots of the rooms.
20. Better but, deliver your golf equipment in the winter
Sure, the climate will get a bit of colder, however these temps are nothing new to anybody who performs early spring or late fall golf up north. Plus, it’s the off-season for greens charges, too ($100-150 for the three 18-hole programs).
Bonus tip
There’s a ton extra to do. I might hardly match all of it in. The excellent news? They create itineraries for you. Happy planning.
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