Life

What to do for Memorial Day Weekend

Start planning for Memorial Day weekend. Here's how you can enjoy barbecues, splashing around under the Ozarks sun and local celebrations.

Apr 01 2024 at 8 a.m.

Photo by Sheri Holloway PhotographyCelebrate Memorial Day Weekend with your family with these local activities.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, which means it’s time to enjoy the warmer weather by spending some time outside. Plan a float trip, quick getaway to a popular Midwest city or find a local celebration. Check out a few picks below.

Activities to Kick Off Summer this Memorial Day

St. James aerial photo from 52 Weekend Getaways

Plan the Perfect Getaway

Weekend Getaways in (and around) Missouri

Quick trips and nearby destinations in southwest Missouri and beyond for every week of the year.

Two women eating at Prarie Pie in Springfield MO

Find a Hidden Gem

Hidden Gems in Southwest Missouri

Leave routine behind and embark on a little adventure to find shopping, dining and experiences that are a bit off the beaten path.

SIP ON A PATIO

The Best Patios in Southwest Missouri

We’ve rounded up the best places for outdoor dining, sipping under the sun (or stars) and happy hour hangouts. Check out our list of the best patios in southwest Missouri.

Branson Bound

Things to do in Branson, Missouri

Discover the best things to do in Branson, Missouri. Whether you’re looking for entertainment, fine dining, family attractions or cozy accommodations, these activities belong on your Branson bucket list.

Branded Content

Lakeview trail overlooking Stockton Lake in Missouri

Take a Hike

Best Hiking Trails in the Ozarks

The Ozarks are a wonderland of trails, both hidden and super-accessible. From a stroll on the Ozark Greenways to an adventurous hike to a spectacular outlook on Mount Magazine, there are plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy nature.

SAY WOW AT A WATERFALL

Your Guide to the Best Waterfalls in the Ozarks

This spring, trek across the Ozarks to visit some of our region’s beautiful waterfalls. Whether they are wet-weather falls or continually flowing, all natural or part of a man-made dam, every single one is worth the trip.

Boat on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri

Take a Break on the Lake

Insider's Guide to Table Rock Lake

There’s so much on Table Rock Lake to discover and explore, and this insider’s guide to Table Rock Lake is a great place to start.

GO UNDERGROUND

Exploring Caves in Southwest Missouri

Whether you're looking for ways to cool off in the summer or want to take in some of the underground sights of southwest Missouri, we've got a list of the most impressive caves worth visiting.

Family jumping off a bluff at Bull Shoals Lake at sunset

Lake Season Begins

Your Guide to the Best Lake Getaways in Missouri

We love lake season here in the Ozarks. Whether you're looking for a family friendly getaway, an afternoon of sailing or a quiet cove to relax in, Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Stockton Lake have exactly what you need.

Canoe or float Big Piney River in Missouri

Hit the River

Best Float Trips in the Ozarks

Learn why our rivers are such a vital part of southwest Missouri's landscape, and explore scenic float trips that can only be enjoyed in the Ozarks.

Swimming

Your Guide to the 13 Best Swimming Holes in the Ozarks

Explore the coolest places to swim the the great outdoors—that you can only find in Missouri and Arkansas.

Jessica Pearson riding a bike through Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park in Springfield MO

START YOUR SUMMER EARLY

How to Summer Like a Kid

It’s time to unleash this summer and enjoy the water, the sun, the fields, the trails and the entertainment with the same abandon and excitement you had as a kid. Here's our list of carefree things to do this to ensure your best summer yet.

Cook up Your Own Memorial Day Treats

GRILL IT

Become a Grill Master: Inventive Ways to Tackle the Flames

Change up your usual cooking routine, and make something a bit unexpected on your grill tonight. A local farmer and foodie spill some of their favorites.

HOMEMADE 'ZA

Build the Perfect Pizza Pie at Home

One of the best ways to take advantage of the bounty of local, seasonal ingredients—and get creative at the same time—is to make homemade pizza. We dug up a few fun ways to get started.