Visiting Lake Tahoe ranks high on the scale of year-round US destinations to visit. It’s because there are plenty of unique things to do in Lake Tahoe, including things to do in Lake Tahoe at night like the casino. The diversity of activities is why travelers consider this area for a trip. While we didn’t dabble in everything the city has to offer, this list of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe offers a slivery of what you can take in.
Things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids would likely include some of the things we saw. Certainly, a gondola ride would be ideal with kids as well as a boat cruise. Personally, a hike in the state park is likely going to be a great way to get out and take in the fresh air. While you may not think of Lake Tahoe as kid-friendly, there are enough activities to fill your 48 hours.
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Best Credit Cards for these Best Things to do in Lake Tahoe
American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi have put down the gauntlet during the pandemic. Each bank has introduced new credit cards, interesting welcome bonus point offers, and new card benefits to up the ante. It’s certainly a great time to be a consumer of travel credit cards. The number of points that you can earn has skyrocketed in 2020 and now into 2021.
The Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Citi Premier Card are excellent travel credit cards to check out. You earn 4x points at restaurants and US supermarkets with the Amex Gold Card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5x points on travel booked through Chase, 2x points on travel, 3x points on online grocery purchases, 3x points on dining, and 3x points on streaming. You earn 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels with the Citi Premier Card.
When is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe?
July and August get my vote for the best months to experience Lake Tahoe. The highs average in the upper 70s to low 80s while the lows average in the low 50s. Outside of July and August, June and September would likely be a nice time to visit. The highs average in the low to mid-70s and the lows average in the mid-40s.
We last visited over a Labor Day weekend starting in late August and ending in early September. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Think, cool, crisp air in the morning and evenings with warmer, low humidity temps during the day. This is my kind of summer weather!
How to Fly to Lake Tahoe
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) are two of the best airports to fly into for Lake Tahoe. Sacramento is about two hours and 45 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe. Reno is a little more than an hour from the Tahoe area. At the time, we flew nonstop from Baltimore (BWI) to Sacramento and the drive to Tahoe, while it was longer than flying into Reno, was beyond beautiful.
Examples of nonstop flights on major US airlines to these airports include:
- Saramento <> Boise, Portland (OR), San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma – Alaska Airlines
- Reno <> Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Seattle/Tacoma – Alaska Airlines
- Sacramento <> Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Phoenix–Sky Harbor – American Airlines
- Reno <> Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Austin, Los Angeles- American Airlines
- Sacramento <> Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma – Delta Air Lines
- Reno <> Salt Lake City, Los Angeles – Delta Air Lines
- Sacramento <> Cancún, New York–JFK – JetBlue
- Reno <> Los Angeles, New York–JFK – JetBlue
- Sacramento <> Austin, Boise, Burbank, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Honolulu, Houston–Hobby, Kahului, Kailua–Kona, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Portland (OR), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San José del Cabo, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, St. Louis – Southwest Airlines
- Reno <> Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, San Diego – Southwest
- Sacramento <> Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles, Los Angeles, San Francisco – United Airlines
- Reno <> Denver, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, San Francisco – United Airlines
Places to Stay in Lake Tahoe
Hyatt Regency Tahoe Resort and Marriott’s Timber Lodge are two of your best point hotel options. The Hyatt property is located in North Lake Tahoe while the Marriott property is located in South Lake Tahoe. We stayed in South Lake Tahoe so I can’t speak to what the surrounding area is like in North Lake Tahoe.
For our stay, we booked this Airbnb for our group of eight. Generally speaking, Airbbns make more sense for a big group when we travel compared to points hotels. Another platform to use is Google Hotels. The ability to filter for exactly the type of property you’re looking for is one of the many upsides of searching with Google.
Best Restaurants in Lake Tahoe
The food and drink scene is fairly weak in the South Lake Tahoe area. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some gems to check out. Outpost Brewing Company and Artemis Lakefront Cafe are two places we enjoyed. Outpost Brewing had live music, tasty craft beer, and delicious food.
Another food and drink resource to check out are our Where to Eat and Drink in South Lake Tahoe. Eater tends to put out some of the best articles when it comes to restaurants and bars. Rarely, the Eater teams miss so hopefully this article comes in the clutch during your visit.
Places to Visit in Lake Tahoe
Day 1 of Lake Tahoe
With morning coffee in hand, hike the Van Sickle Trail at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. About 4/10 of a mile into your hike, you’ll come to the summit. The summit view is excellent with panoramic views of the lake looking north. Once you’ve had your fill, walk to the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort to hop on the gondola. The gondola ride takes about 15-20 minutes to arrive at the first mountain lookout. Stay on the gondola for another 10-15 minutes to get to the summit where you experience another set of panoramic views of the lake and have the opportunity to walk around the mountain.
Once you take the gondola back down the mountain grab lunch at Outpost Brewing Company. Live music greets you along with the brewery’s array of craft beer and food. The afternoon is the dealer’s choice as you can stay at the brewery to enjoy the tunes, walk around South Lake Tahoe, or head to the casinos nearby.
Day 2 of Lake Tahoe
Relax the morning of your second day by walking along Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach or head back to Heavenly Mountain Resort. Snag lunch next as you prepare for an afternoon boat cruise on the lake.
We recommend using Safari Rose for your boat cruise. The boarding process was easy, the boat had drinks on board (not included with your ticket purchase), and there was more than enough seating. After an amazing cruise, head to Artemis Lakefront Cafe to close out your second day.
Things to do in Lake Tahoe FAQs
What can you do in Lake Tahoe for the day?
Van Sickle Bi-State Park and Heavenly Mountain Resort are two great options. Lake Tahoe Golf Course, Lucky Beaver, Bar & Burger, Pope Beach, and Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach are places on the shortlist to check out during our next visit.
Whats Lake Tahoe famous for?
Check out Tahoe Fun Facts to learn everything you need to know about the area.
What are the best things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter?
Heavenly Mountain Resort is at the top of my list, although I’ve yet to ski this mountain. Based upon friends who’ve skied at Heavenly Mountain, it’s a ski resort I want to check out.
What are best things to do in Lake Tahoe in the summer?
A Safari Rose boat cruise and a round of golf at Tahoe Golf Course can get excellent options for things to do in the summer.
Whart are the adventurous things to do in Lake Tahoe?
In. the winter, skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort. In the summer, a boat cruise and a Van Sickel Bi-State Park.
Conclusion on Things to do in Lake Tahoe
In terms of outdoor destinations out west, Tahoe offers a variety of things to do. In fact, you could argue it’s a year-round destination with the ski resorts plus summer lake activities available. Flying to the area is relatively easy with Sacramento and Reno airports nearby. Airbnb plus points hotels and Google Hotels gives you options for places to stay. While Tahoe doesn’t have a ton of solid places to eat, the city makes up for it when you’re talking about activities.
What do you think are the best things to do in Lake Tahoe? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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