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Lake Tahoe is a beautiful destination located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, right on the border of California and Nevada. Historically, the Sierra Mountains are known for the tragedy of the Donner Party, but nowadays Lake Tahoe is a tourist destination like no other.
The mountains are perfect for skiing and snowboarding while the lake offers beaches, boating, and hiking experiences. Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places to visit any time of year. Not only is it full of national parks, but there are also museums, nightclubs, restaurants, and shops to visit in the city.
There is so much to do at Lake Tahoe, we can’t hope to cover it all, so here are a few of the best Lake Tahoe things to do on your vacation. Each set of activities is organized into one of four groups: year-round, summer, winter, and kids activities.
Things to Do Year-Round
Lake Tahoe has so many things on offer, and not all of them are restricted by season. No matter what time you plan to visit, you can be sure that there will be no end of things to do.
Here are just a few of the best things to do year-round in Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe City and Downtown Truckee
The first thing on your list when you visit Tahoe should always be to explore Tahoe City and Downtown Truckee.
The city life in Tahoe is like no other. There are an endless number of restaurants, museums, boutiques, shops, and things to do. Downtown Truckee is home to some of the very best mom-and-pop shops, and the city’s various museums and galleries are perfect for learning about the history behind Lake Tahoe.
The plethora of tourist spots and abundance of friendly locals make the city a great place to explore and meet new people. Each village has a different community and vibe that makes it unique. You’ll never run out of things to do in the city.
Tahoe Club Crawl
The Tahoe Club Crawl is a high-energy party session for any young blood looking to live the nightlife. The crawl happens almost every Saturday and includes a plethora of enticing freebies and special offers.
The tour takes you to four clubs. You get free welcome shots at three of the four clubs and a free game of Putt-Putt Golf at the 4th. There are also snacks included and a tour guide to keep the energy going all night.
The tour is $45 per person and lasts from 7:45 to 11:00 pm. You need to book online, and all tickets are final sale. There is also a strict dress code that is plain and conservative and bans all hats and logos.
Donner Memorial State Park
For any history lovers out there, the Donner Memorial State Park is a must. Located on the very site of the Donner Party’s perilous trek, this park is a beautiful historical landmark.
Take in the sites and explore the area to get the most out of its natural beauty, and be sure to visit the history museum and pioneer monument to learn more about the Donner party and early pioneers.
The park is open year-round and is dog friendly and has some accessibility features. There are also special events, so make sure to check if any are happening before you go.
The price is $10 per vehicle from May until September and $5 per vehicle from October until April.
Things to Do in Summer
Summer is a wonderful time at Lake Tahoe. The sun shines off the lake in a brilliant fashion, the trees are lush and green, and there are so many fun activities to do. While this list is nowhere near exhaustive, here are three of the most thrilling summer things to do that are unique to Lake Tahoe.
Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Arguably the best view of the lake is from on high and what better way to get above it all than with the weightlessness of gliding.
Uprising Paragliding offers hang gliding and paragliding experiences over the lake. Even complete novices can experience the lofty views with the help of a trained partner in a tandem jump.
Additionally, if you’ve been thinking of taking up the sport of paragliding for yourself, Uprising Paragliding offers paraglider pilot training, so that you can explore the air solo.
MS Dixie II Paddleboat Dinner and Cruise
If you are looking for something truly romantic to do at Lake Tahoe, why not book a night on the MS Dixie II. The cruise is a slow-paced adventure that lets you sit back and drink in the scenery…or wine—or both!
The ship offers locally sourced dishes for dinner and the perfect view of the sunset over the Sierra Mountains. There is also live music and a dance floor in addition to the cocktail bar on deck.
Dinner is included in the price, but drinks are extra. The cruise lasts three hours, and you need to buy the tickets in advance.
It may be important to note that there is a dress code of casual-dressy. Sports jackets, light blazers, medium-length dresses, and blouses and slacks are all appropriate. The cruise is also wheelchair accessible and allows service animals.
Lake Tahoe Rock Climbing
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or brand new to rock climbing, why not try it at Lake Tahoe.
You can bring your own gear and explore some of the most popular climbing spots or play it a little safer with Tahoe Via Ferrata.
Tahoe Via Ferrata is a tour company that takes climbers of any skill and experience level and makes them feel like daring adventurers. You can select tours of two, three, or four hours in duration, either group or private.
The tour group provides all the gear and offers an experience that is a mix of rock climbing, hiking, and rope courses so even total beginners can get in on the fun.
Things to Do in Winter
When you think of Lake Tahoe in the winter, you probably think of skiing first, and while Tahoe does offer plenty of hill thrills, there is so much to do beyond just skiing. Lake Tahoe has so many winter events. There is something to do for everyone, whether you are looking for rigorous adventure, exploration, relaxation, fun, or romance.
Lake Tahoe Festivals
The Tahoe Snowfest and Winter Wonder Grass Festival are two of the largest events at Lake Tahoe.
The Tahoe Snowfest is a weeklong festival that celebrates the area and community with music, ski races, ice carving contests, pancakes, and polar bear swims. It has been a staple in Lake Tahoe since 1982 and just celebrated its 40th year.
The Winter Wonder Grass Festival is a bluegrass festival that takes place over several days in different resorts around the lake. It attracts some of the biggest names in bluegrass and brings in fans from all over the States.
If you’re looking for some winter fun, then look no further than these destination events. These multi-day celebrations are perfect for families, couples, friends, and individuals. The festivals are jam-packed full of things to do, so you’ll never get bored.
Downhill and Cross-Country Skiing
One of the main things Lake Tahoe is known for is being a ski destination. Whether you want to shred the course on the downhill or take in the sites on cross-country, there are plenty of options.
Luther Pass and Hope Valley are two of the most popular skiing sites in Tahoe and offer fabulous views and an even better experience.
If you bring your own gear, you can rent accommodations and cut your own path, or you can hit the trails at a resort and rent equipment. The options are nearly limitless, though you may find trying to snowboard cross-country difficult.
The ski season lasts from November until April, but the best time to go is January or February. For more information on resorts, destinations, and trails, check out Ski Lake Tahoe, a site dedicated to helping you plan your next skiing trip.
Lake Tahoe Adventures Snowmobiling
Try something unique and exhilarating with a snowmobile tour. Lake Tahoe Adventures has a fleet of over 100 snowmobiles and offers tours at beginner and advanced levels.
The facility provides helmets, gloves, boots, and the snowmobile, and you can rent goggles or a snowsuit for an additional charge.
Exploring the wilderness by snowmobile is an experience like no other. Be it a romantic anniversary trip, family vacation, or simple getaway, snowmobiling is perfectly suited to any adventurous spirit.
While both tours span two hours, the beginner tour focuses on Faith Valley and the Sierra Crest, while the advanced tour takes place above Hope Valley and offers more chances to explore. Lake Tahoe Adventures also offers a complimentary shuttle service.
Things to Do With Kids
Planning a family vacation is never easy, especially when traveling with children. Lake Tahoe offers many wondrous adventures, but not all of them are suitable for kids.
To make the most out of your family vacation, you need to plan in advance and find activities that the whole family can enjoy together. You don’t merely want to find a place to leave your kids for the day, but rather something you can all do together.
Granlibakken Treetop Park
Granlibakken Treetop Adventure Park is a thrilling experience for everyone. The park includes 27 zip lines, 97 tree platforms, and 60 unique bridges and obstacles. Participants get a helmet and full-body harness and must be six or older to participate.
Additionally, there are spacious walking paths beside all the courses so that friends and family can watch. Courses also range from beginner to advanced.
Granlibakken has other activities as well, but nothing will keep your family going all day or challenge your kids quite like Treetop Park. Make sure to book your tickets in advance and check to see if there are any special offers or if any of the package discounts apply.
Heavenly Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster
Head over to Heavenly Mountain Resort at the south end of Lake Tahoe to experience some of the best views. Warmer weather means no snow for skiing, but it opens the doors for the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster, a 3,400ft hillside ride like no other.
The mountain coaster winds its way down the mountain giving you a gorgeous view of the lake at the same time as a blast of adrenaline-fuelled fun. Kids and adults alike will love racing down the mountainside and winding through the trees.
Tickets are fairly pricey, but there are discounts for seniors, teens, and children. There are also several package options for the coaster, scenic gondola, and tubing.
Tahoe Science Center
The Tahoe Science Center is an affordable way to spend an afternoon when the weather turns sour, or the heat gets too intense. At only $5 to $10 per person, large families can enjoy the experience without worrying about the cost.
Tahoe’s science center has a focus on the ecosystem of the lake and region with an emphasis on preservation and green improvements. Some fun activities include an award-winning 3D film, Lake Tahoe In-Depth, workshops on sustainable design, lectures, and exhibits on geology, ecology, and more. There are also guided tours, but you have to book them in advance.
While the science center is not very large and won’t take the whole day to get through, you won’t leave feeling like you missed anything like with larger museums.
Currently, the center has limited openings, and you need to book in advance. However, they also offer virtual tours and resources for teaching science at home.
Visit Lake Tahoe
Several of the above destination locations have accommodation facilities, but many of them are quite expensive. If you don’t want to pay to stay at a resort, lodge, or specialty chalet, or you aren’t visiting any place with built-in accommodations, then check out Rent by Owner for short-term rentals and vacation homes.
These affordable and unique rental spots are perfect, and you’re sure to find what you need no matter where you’re going. The only thing left now is to find the best restaurants in Lake Tahoe.
