Lake Tahoe / Reno Attractions

Balloons Over Lake Tahoe
What better way to get an overview of the area than in a hot air balloon. Take off from South Lake Tahoe and land on an aircraft carrier, after an hour-long informative tour of the entire area.
(800) 872-9294.

Borges Carriage Rides
Based in Stateline, the Borges family provides a variety of Belgian and Russian horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter and carriage rides in summer that will acquaint you with the Lake Tahoe area and put you in the proper mood for its laid back ambiance.
(800) 726-RIDE.

Camp Richardson
Sleigh rides in winter, breakfast or dinner rides throughout the year, are offered by this horseback riding stable on the shore of Emerald Bay. In addition, the resort offers a variety of water adventures, including Seadoo and paddlewheel rentals, and instructional programs.
(877) 541-3113.

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D.L. Bliss State Park
Along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, on the California side, you can enjoy the largest expanse of pristine beach in the region. One of the highlights of your visit will be a walking tour which includes a view of Balancing Rock, an immense mass of granite balanced on a very small, slowly eroding base which one day will collapse.

Ehrman Mansion
On the west shore of Lake Tahoe, near Tahoma, the wealthy San Francisco Hellman-Ehrman family at the turn of the 20th century commissioned architect William Danforth Bliss to build a masterpiece near what is now the Sugar Pine Point State Park, which to this day is second to none in elegance and serves as a paradigm for those who would build their dream palaces in the Lake Tahoe area. Check with your hotel for available tours.

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Gatekeeper’s Cabin Museum
The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society maintains this cabin, built with hand-carved Lodgepole Pines and used initially by the gatekeeper who regulated the water level of the Lake pouring into the Truckee River at the beginning of the 20th century. Learn about the region’s original Indian inhabitants and pioneer settlers.
130 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City. (530) 583-1762.

M.S. Dixie II
This paddlewheel cruise ship, which departs from the south shore of Lake Tahoe, is the best way to get an overview of the Lake Tahoe area. The tour guides provide all of the essential information on the region as you enjoy the best scenery. The crew has provided the best food, refreshments and entertainment for the last 30 years, and also offers a variety of special interest cruises for the more experienced visitor.
Highway 50 at Zephyr Cove. (775) 589-4906.

Tahoe Queen
Complete your view of the Tahoe region by exploring under the surface of the Lake and Emerald Bay from a glass-bottom boat. Dinner and dance cruises are available on this historic paddlewheeler.
900 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. (800) 238-2463

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Vikingsholm
Whether you are staying nearest the north or south shore of Lake Tahoe, bus service is available to the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot, from which a hiking trail leads to this famous summer home of Scandinavian design on the shore of Emerald Bay, built by the descendants of a stagecoach magnate family who later were the principal financiers of Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight. Prepare to spend the day immersed in the history of the area and its earliest settlers, as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery on your tour, which operates only from mid-June through September.

Woodwind Sailing Cruises
Departing from the Camp Richardson and Zephyr Cove resorts, these sailing yachts are an alternative way of exploring the beauty of the Lake Tahoe region. Champagne, beer and cocktails are served during a variety of cruise alternatives.
(888) 867-6394.

Zephyr Cove Stables
Experience is unnecessary to enjoy a preparation of the finest Western cuisine before exploring the trails along the Lake by horseback. Full instruction is provided, and you will get an unforgettable impression of what it was like to have been one of the earliest settlers.
Near South Lake Tahoe, in Zephyr Cove. (775) 588-5664

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