The Best Time to Travel to Innsbrook: Peak Season Edition (May–July)
Part 1 of 4 in our seasonal travel series
Just an hour outside St. Louis, tucked into Missouri’s rolling hills, there’s a place where summer doesn’t wait for a date on the calendar to begin. At Innsbrook, summer kicks off not with a whisper, but with a burst of energy, laughter, and lakeside celebration. If you’re planning a peaceful getaway that still leaves room for a little excitement, now’s the time to discover what makes summer here unforgettable.
It all begins over Memorial Day Weekend, when the resort transforms into something between a classic hometown fair and a private festival. Innsbrook’s Anniversary Party draws anywhere up to a few thousand guests, and the excitement is contagious. There’s live music drifting across the water, a vendor expo full of local flair, and the irresistible smell of picnic-style favorites—hot dogs, baked beans, and summer staples served up free to guests. Children dart from face painting stations to bounce houses and the beloved Bubble Bus, their laughter echoing across the grounds. And tucked into the celebration, a traveling petting zoo adds just the right touch of magic, with goats, turtles, and even the occasional donkey or bearded dragon waiting for gentle hands and curious hearts.
As the season stretches into June and July, Camp Innsbrook takes center stage for families. These morning and afternoon sessions fill quickly, offering kids a taste of summer they’ll never forget—fishing, crafting, hiking, water balloon games, and animal encounters that make nature feel like the ultimate playground. For families staying in one of Innsbrook Escapes’ vacation homes, camp is a perfect pairing: structured adventure for the kids, and peaceful moments on the deck or dock for the adults.
But summer here isn’t just about the big events—it’s about rhythm. Every week, you’ll find something special on the calendar. Outdoor movie nights, often held under the stars or poolside, invite guests to unwind with a film and fresh air. Artist workshops spark creativity, whether you’re a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time. And the Summer Breeze Concert Series fills Charrette Creek Commons with live music and laid-back vibes every Saturday night from (don't worry, it's quiet by 10pm). These free concerts are a highlight of the season. Guests roll up with coolers, chairs, and blankets, ready to let the music do its thing. Want to travel light? Head to the Summerhaus bar and grill by the pool, where you’ll find drinks and Sugarfire BBQ, a beloved local favorite.
As the days get longer and the season builds, all roads lead to the Fourth of July. Innsbrook’s Independence Day celebration is nothing short of legendary. Touted as the largest private fireworks display in the Midwest, the show lights up Lake Aspen in a spectacle of color and sound. Whether you’re watching from the lawn at the Aspen Center—with or without buffet tickets—or camped out on the sand at Lionshead or Geneva Beach, it’s a night you won’t forget. But you’ll want to plan early. The best vacation rentals book out months in advance, and some families return year after year to the same lakefront view.
But the season doesn't end with the fireworks show, as fun annual events continue through the season. Kids, with the help of their parents, plan months in advance to build their own waterfaring vessel to compete in the Cardboard Boat Races. Contestants are judged not only on the speed of their boats, but whether they can even stay afloat!
Of course, you don’t need an event to enjoy Innsbrook. One of the resort’s greatest strengths is its ability to provide both energy and stillness, often in the same afternoon. Between scheduled events, your time is your own. Brew coffee in your private kitchen and enjoy it on the dock, where the only sound might be birdsong and the occasional fish breaking the surface. Take a walk near Lake Innsbrook, where a charming bridge crosses a rocky ravine, or head to Alpine Lake and admire the natural rock wall, its layers of ancient stone a quiet reminder of just how long this landscape has been watching over the water.
Stop by the Country Market and Creamery to pick up bait, a snack, or even a local fishing guidebook that’s surprisingly rich with tips and hidden gems. Whether you’re casting from your private dock or exploring one of the community lakes, there’s always something waiting below the surface.
Every Innsbrook Escapes rental is a little different, but each one offers that same sense of pause. Time slows. Noise fades. Nature moves a little closer. You’re not just visiting—you’re being. And in a world that moves too fast, that’s more than a vacation. That’s a reset.
So if you’re dreaming of summer—real summer, not crowded boardwalks or overpriced tourist stops, but something slower, deeper, and more memorable—then this is your moment. Plan ahead, pick your weekend, and let Innsbrook Escapes welcome you to a season that starts not with a date, but with a feeling.