Poolikus

Dog Patch, also known as the Bagnell Dam Strip is everything that is good in this country, crammed into a two mile strip of Heaven. Shops that you won’t find anywhere else, food that is out of this world, bars, arcades, lake cruises, anything you could possibly want to do is here.
I would make an individual entry for everyplace on the strip, but that would take forever. But please give it a go, you won’t regret it.
And when you’re there, have a deep fried oreo for me!

Growing up across the state from Lake of the Ozarks, my family went every year, usually twice a year, from the time I could remember up until I was about 18. I have stayed in probably every hotel in the area, eaten at every restaurant multiple times, and seen every show. I love going, and would go every year if I could get away with it.
If you are in the area, there are things that are a must;
1. EAT AT THE HAPPY FISHERMAN – the food is great, and you will never see anyplace like it.
2. Shopping at the outlet mall takes most of the day, remember this and you will be much happier.
3. If you like arcades and video games, you are now entering Heaven. You must visit Dogpatch, the Rebel Arcade, and Buster’s. All are great arcades and should not be missed. P.S. Unless you are children, or have children, stay clear of Miner Mike’s, which is attached to Buster’s. It’s all ticket games and rides for screaming children.
4. If you want to stay at an all inclusive resort, I wholly recommend Tan-Tar-A. It has a water park, shopping mall, restaurants, and everything else you could ever want.
5. Get out on the lake and have some fun.

I am a huge fanboy (someone slightly obsessed with comic books), and this just happened to be my first stop as a married man. The fact that my wife and I are still together must mean it was meant to be.
For anyone who is not a super fan of comic books, save your gas money and head on to a real vacation spot, but for the faithful this is a great place to stop and stretch your legs.
The entire town is obsessed with Superman, from their drug store to the Superman Museum, the whole place is red, blue, and yellow.
The Museum was cool, but may not be worth the price unless you are a huge fan of the Man of Steel. Other than the museum, there is a whole lot of nuthin’ going on in this town.
P.S. Watch your speed going down the highway in this area, I received a really bad speeding ticket coming into town.

This is a huge bar. And since I don’t really drink, that’s all I can say about that. However, I do eat, and they have great food. Plus they have bleu cheese coleslaw, which sounds disgusting, but is really good.
COME ON…YOU WANT TO TRY IT!!!

Even if you are like me and don’t have the $$$ to stay here, still visit. Any hotel that has a full gondola ride along a river, is worth the visit. The staff was very friendly, even when the knew we were not guests of the hotel.
Plus, it’s not really my thing, but Nashville Star the t.v. show is filmed here.

This is by far the coolest restaurants I have had the pleasure of visiting. Not only is the food good, and I’m sorry but good is all I will give it, but the atmosphere is amazing.
The restaurant is in a very cool downtown area, with shops and other eateries. The people are very different than I am used to here in my hometown. And the coolest thing, the restaurant is all indoors, but you feel as if you are outside. Huge open windows let the breeze blow through, but you are protected from the sun, which is always a plus in “Hotlanta.”
The Flying Biscuit has inspired me to open a restaurant in my hometown someday. My biggest wish is for my restaurant to be nearly as cool as this one. A must see if in the area!!!

This was the first place my wife and I visited in Atlanta. The people running the food stalls were overbearing, the place was filthy, and I witnessed a drug deal in the bathrooms.
Really not my first choice for things to do in Atlanta, but it is right next to several worthwhile attractions; mainly the World of Coke Museum, and the Atlanta Aquarium.

My biggest tip to anyone who is going to go to Atlanta, ditch the car. The traffic is by far the worst I have ever seen. But do not let that stop you from going and enjoying yourself.
Just leave your car downtown, get out and walk. It’s Atlanta, not the Arctic. There are so many things to see and do, but waiting in traffic will ruin your trip. Also, do better research than my wife and I did, we missed out on a lot of great places. We plan on going back someday.