Lake Tahoe.
Because lounging lakeside sounds pretty goodbrright about now
School's out for summer, andbrif you haven't already made plans for a fun vacation, you're in luck — we knowbrjust what you need. Pack up the car, pack up the kids, and head to the lake. Ifbryou don't want to travel too far, Lake Grapevine is your best bet. Feeling likebrescaping a little further away? Try Lake Texoma. Or, if you really have anbradventurous spirit, take a trip out west to Lake Tahoe. Wherever you decide,bryou'll feel immediate relaxation as soon as your feet hit the water. Ahh,brsummer.
Lake Grapevine
Right in our own backyard, Lake Grapevine is an idealbrgetaway spot during these hot summer months. Spanning 8,000 acres, the lake isbra busy hub for boating, waterskiing,brwindsurfing and fishing. It also boasts two marinas, Silver Lake — nestled in abrcove on the northeast side — and Scott's Landing, located in the heart ofbrGrapevine at Oak Grove Park. The larger of the two, it's also surrounded bybrboat clubs, activities and plenty of waterside dining.
When you take the family camping,brthere's no better place to go than The Vineyards Campgrounds and Cabins, award-winning grounds that offerbrspace for tent and cabin camping as well as RV sites. The Vineyards also hasbrits own boat ramp, fishing pier and nature trail. Make sure to carve out timebrto explore the nine miles of wilderness trails and the numerous parks thatbrsurround Lake Grapevine — from Oak Grove, which includes 40 acres and abrballpark complex, to Lake View Park, which, you guessed it, has sweeping viewsbrof the lake as well as playgrounds and a beach area. GrapevineTexasUSA.com
Lake Texoma
The 12th largest lake in the U.S., Lake Texomabrspans a large portion of the Texas-Oklahoma border and is just about an hour’sbrdrive north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Known for its expansive size,brthe lake is a premier fishing destination for Texans and Oklahomans alike. Thebrnaturally occurring mineral salts found in its soil allow striped bass to spawn and grow naturally to a whoppingbr15 to 20 pounds, and approximately 70 additional species can be found in LakebrTexoma’s waters, including largemouth, spotted and white bass, blue, flatheadbrcatfish and black and white crappie and channel.
Sailing is also a predominantbractivity on Lake Texoma, which offers more than two dozen marinas with boatbrslips that can accommodate sailboats and powerboats. You can also choose frombrmany public boat ramps on either the Oklahoma or Texas side of the lake, whichbrincludes several picturesque islands. The scenery surrounding Lake Texoma is trulybra beautiful sight — 25 miles of equestrian trails and a 14-mile-long hikingbrtrail through wooded bluffs make for fun adventures post-swim. If you have animalbrlovers in your group, check out one of the two wildlife refuges that border thebrnorthern and southern ends of the lake. You're sure to spot birds like eagles,brheron and egret, as well as whitetail deer and wild hogs.
Don't forget about exploring thebrsmall towns that dot the perimeter of the lake if you're looking for anbrafternoon of shopping and dining. For grown-up activities, try hitting thebrlinks at the Chickasaw Pointe Golf Course, or try your luck at the nearby Choctawbrand WinStar casinos. LakeTexoma.com
Lake Tahoe
This iconic body of water is situated along thebrCalifornia-Nevada border, beautifully surrounded by majestic mountains.brAlthough it makes for a wonderful travel escape in the winter monthsbr— when skiing and snowboarding are popular — summertime at Lake Tahoe isbrequally as picturesque and enjoyable.
At thebrnorth end of the lake, you'll find a plethora of activities to choose from.brExperience the clear, crystal-blue waters for yourself with a lake cruise or onbra motorboat, kayak or jet-ski excursion, or see the lake from high in the skybrduring a parasailing adventure. If you're on a boat — and we sure hope you arebr— check out Lake Tahoe's many dine-and-dock options after an afternoon spent onbrthe water. Chamber's Landing offersbrfine dining, while Gar Wood's Grill & Pier provides a laid-back café vibe.
South Tahoe is no exception when itbrcomes to watersports and various family fun activities. Rent a standup paddle,brwave runner, paddleboat or kayak and explore the lake's waters, which offer a remarkablebrvisibility of 75 feet. South Tahoe's plethora of beaches offer additionalbramenities — Regan Beach includes a snack bar and volleyball area, whilebrLakeside Beach, one of the finest sand beaches around Tahoe, has a lifeguard onbrduty during the summer and is within walking distance of upscale restaurantsbrand shopping. VisitingLakeTahoe.com