Lebanon

Around Lebanon

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Town and around · Missouri · 36k people

Lebanon

Locals say the Ozarks · “Queen City of the Ozarks”

Small-town heart, lake-country soul.

Deep forest greenLake blue

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to the heart of the Ozarks, where the lake is our living room and the rivers are our playground. Whether you're here for the fishing, the caves, or just to slow down, you'll find a friendly wave and a cold drink.

Clubs for Lebanon

No clubs for Lebanon yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Lebanon. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lebanon. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Lake of the Ozarks Massive reservoir with 1,150 miles of shoreline, boating and fishing hub.
  • Bennett Spring State Park One of Missouri's oldest trout parks, with spring-fed streams.
  • Ha Ha Tonka State Park Castle ruins, natural bridges, and panoramic lake views.
  • Bridal Cave Guided cave tours with stalactites and a wedding chapel.
  • Jacob's Cave Historic show cave with massive chambers and onyx formations.
  • Historic downtown Lebanon Route 66 corridor with preserved storefronts and local shops.
  • Outdoors Fishing at Bennett Spring
  • Outdoors Boating on Lake of the Ozarks
  • With kids Swimming at the Lake
  • With kids Cave tours
  • Evenings Lakeside bars and tiki bars
  • Evenings Live music at lake resorts
  • Locals love Lake docks and marinas
  • Locals love Trout fishing spots

Through the year

  • Lake of the Ozarks Shootout August High-speed powerboat race on the main channel, draws big crowds.
  • Lebanon Route 66 Festival June Classic cars, live music, and street fair celebrating the Mother Road.
  • Laclede County Fair August Agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and local food.
  • Bennett Spring Trout Derby Spring Seasonal trout fishing competition at Bennett Spring State Park.
  • Camdenton Lakefront Concert Series Summer Free summer concerts by the lake with local and regional bands.

Four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and chilly winters. The lake is the summer playground, while spring and fall offer the most comfortable outdoor weather. Best: Spring and fall are ideal – mild temps, low humidity, and fewer crowds.

Talk like a local

“The Lake”
The Lake of the Ozarks, the main recreation hub.
“Crick”
A creek or small stream.
“Float”
To go tubing or canoeing down a river.
“Y'all”
You all, a common Southern/Midwest plural.

Getaways

  • Branson Live shows, theme parks, and family entertainment.
  • Springfield Bass Pro Shops headquarters, museums, and dining.
  • Jefferson City Missouri state capitol, riverfront trails, and history.
  • Columbia College town with vibrant downtown, music, and food.

Local flavour

Rooting for St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), St. Louis Blues (NHL), Missouri Tigers (NCAA)

Eat and drink

  • Fried catfish A staple of Ozarks lakeside dining.
  • St. Louis-style BBQ Pork steaks and burnt ends are local favorites.
  • Andy's Frozen Custard A local chain founded near the Lake of the Ozarks, beloved across the region.
  • Ozark pudding A traditional dessert with apples and nuts, often served at community gatherings.

Where people go

  • Lake of the Ozarks A massive reservoir with marinas, coves, and resorts—central to local recreation.
  • Bennett Spring State Park A trout park known for its spring-fed waters and hiking trails.
  • Historic downtown Lebanon A classic courthouse square with local shops and eateries.
  • Caves and caverns Bridal Cave and other limestone formations are popular attractions near Camdenton.

Heritage and traditions

Lebanon and the surrounding Laclede County are proud of their deep Ozarks heritage, from the spring-fed rivers and caves to the small-town friendliness and the enduring legacy of Route 66 that runs through the heart of town.

This time of year in Lebanon

  • Trout fishing at Bennett Spring Spring and fall Peak seasons for catching rainbow trout.
  • Fall colors and hiking Autumn The hills blaze with autumn foliage.

Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to

Festivals

  • Camdenton Dogwood Festival April Celebrates spring with arts, crafts, and the blooming dogwoods.
  • Bennett Spring Bluegrass Festival September Live bluegrass performances in the state park.
  • Lake of the Ozarks Air Show August Aviation performances over the lake.
  • Lebanon's Christmas Parade December Festive holiday parade with lights and floats.
  • Camdenton Christmas on the Lake December Boat parade with holiday lights on the water.

Landmarks with a story

  • Laclede County Courthouse Built in 1912, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Munger Moss Motel An iconic Route 66 motel in Lebanon, a symbol of the Mother Road era.
  • St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church One of Lebanon's oldest churches, reflecting early German and Irish settlement.
  • Old Stagecoach Stop Museum A former stagecoach stop that now houses local history exhibits.

Food traditions

  • Trout fishing and frying Catching rainbow trout at Bennett Spring and having a fish fry is a beloved ritual.
  • Morel mushroom hunting In spring, families forage for morels in the woods and fry them in butter.
  • Persimmon pudding A sweet dessert made from wild persimmons, a fall Ozark treat.
  • Squirrel and dumplings A traditional Ozark dish that reflects the area's hunting heritage.
  • Sorghum molasses Made from local sweet sorghum, used in baking and on biscuits.

Music and arts

  • Ozark old-time fiddle music A living tradition passed down through generations.
  • Bluegrass Popular at local festivals and jam sessions.
  • Country music Rooted in the region's rural heritage.
  • Basket weaving A craft with deep Ozark roots, using white oak and honeysuckle.

A little history

  • 1849 Lebanon was founded as a trading post.
  • 1861 A Civil War skirmish took place in Lebanon.
  • 1870s The railroad arrived, connecting Lebanon to national markets.
  • 1926–1985 Route 66 brought travelers and tourism through the heart of town.
  • 1931 Bagnell Dam created Lake of the Ozarks, transforming the region into a recreation hub.

Rivalries

  • Missouri Tigers vs Kansas Jayhawks Border war rivalry in college football and basketball.
  • St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals In-state MLB rivalry, though they rarely meet except in interleague play.
  • Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos AFC West rivalry that gets locals talking on game days.
  • Game day High school football on Friday nights
  • Game day Bass fishing tournaments
  • Outdoors Camping at Bennett Spring State Park
  • Outdoors Kayaking on the Niangua River
  • With kids Feeding the trout at Bennett Spring Hatchery
  • With kids Visiting the Route 66 Museum

People speak with a Southern-influenced Ozark drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Words like 'holler' for hollow and 'crick' for creek are common.

Only here

  • The Munger Moss Motel is a classic Route 66 stop.
  • Bennett Spring is one of Missouri's four trout parks.
  • Lake of the Ozarks has over 1,100 miles of shoreline.
  • Ha Ha Tonka's castle ruins overlook the lake.
New here? A few tips
  • Expect hot, humid summers and cold winters; pack for both.
  • Learn to navigate winding, hilly roads, especially around the lake.
  • Try the local trout at Bennett Spring and catfish at local diners.
  • Be friendly and wave to neighbors; it's a small-town culture.
  • Know that 'holler' means a valley, and 'crick' means a creek.

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Nearby

Every area
Fort Leonard WoodMissouriSmall-town charm with a big Army heart.Mountain GroveMissouriWhere the hills hold secrets and the people are warm.Lake of the OzarksMissouriWhere the hills meet the water.SpringfieldMissouriWhere the Ozarks meet the open road.AvaMissouriThe quiet heart of the OzarksRollaMissouriSmall-town charm at the crossroads of the Ozarks.Jefferson CityMissouriMissouri's riverfront capital, where the heart of the state beats.SedaliaMissouriWhere the fairgrounds glow and the prairie rolls.

Lebanon, MO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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