Fast forward twenty years (I know, I’m aging myself), and I was finally able to make my dream of owning a home in Tahoe a reality when my husband and I purchased an old beat-up 1970s cabin, fully remodeled it, and turned it into a luxury vacation rental<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the many things I love about Lake Tahoe is that there is so much to do and see here. From my experience being (somewhat of) a local, here are 30 unique things to do in Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n There are fun events happening year-round in Lake Tahoe, but especially in the summer. This weekend, for instance, I’m hosting our first ever We Are Travel Girls Lake Tahoe Meet Up<\/a> in Tahoe City!<\/p>\n This casual, free event will be a great opportunity to meet other travel-loving women in our community and make new travel friends. Travel girls, if you’re going to be in Tahoe this weekend please join us! Details + RSVP HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Coming up on July 4th weekend you can also check out Freedom Fest<\/a> at Palisades Tahoe. This fun festival is taking place July 1st – July 4th at Palisades Tahoe with giveaways, DJs and summer skiing! <\/p>\n For other Lake Tahoe events, you can check out VisitLakeTahoe.com<\/a>. They have everything from lectures to concerts to festivals listed on their site. Tahoe has a very strong, wonderful community and you’ll get a better sense of just how special it is if you join a local event.<\/p>\n This is going to come off as a shameless plug for my Lake Tahoe Cabin<\/a>, and on the one hand, it is, but on the other hand, it’s also an important point; If you want to really<\/em> experience Lake Tahoe as a local, stay awhile. Plan a trip to Tahoe and stay here for a week, two weeks, or even a month if you can swing it. <\/p>\n As I type this, I’m a week into a two-week stay at our Lake Tahoe Cabin<\/a>. My daughter is going to summer camp in Truckee and I’m enjoying waking up every morning in the woods with a glorious view of the lake. Of course, it’s more feasible to stay in Tahoe for an extended period of time if you own a house here but don’t let that stop you.<\/p>\n One of the great things about Tahoe is that there are an array of nice vacation rentals<\/a> ranging from very expensive luxury vacation homes to affordable, a-frame cabins in the woods. I use Expedia to find the best prices on vacation rentals<\/a> and hotels in Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n If I can put forth any one unique thing to do in Lake Tahoe I would strongly suggest that you try to stay awhile, allow yourself to enjoy a slower-paced life for a few weeks, and try to truly experience Tahoe as a local. This is the best of the best unique things to do in Lake Tahoe!<\/p>\n Book Your Stay:<\/strong> Lake Tahoe Luxury Cabin<\/a><\/p>\n Lake Tahoe offers an abundance of beautiful beaches that are open to the public. My favorite on the north shore is Commons Beach but there are many others all around the lake. You can check out this list of top 10 beaches in Lake Tahoe<\/a> for some other great options.<\/p>\n In the summer months, parking can be hard to find at the public beaches so plan ahead and try to arrive at the beach before mid-day.<\/p>\n You can’t visit Lake Tahoe and not take a dip in the lake. As of summer 2023, the lake is the clearest it’s been in 40 years! Apparently, it\u2019s so pristine this year because of an abundance of tiny zooplankton that eat particles that can make the lake water cloudy. <\/p>\n Lake Tahoe\u2019s average surface temperature in the summer is 63\u00b0F and can drop to 53\u00b0F just 18 inches below the surface. Who needs a cold plunge pool when you have Lake Tahoe, right?<\/p>\n For young children, who will likely want to spend hours splashing in the lake, I suggest bringing a wetsuit. They might not need it but it\u2019s nice to have just in case. <\/p>\n The best way to explore Lake Tahoe is, you guessed it, by boat. During your visit, I highly suggest renting a boat<\/a> and spending a fun day out on the water exploring Lake Tahoe\u2019s beautiful coves and beaches.<\/p>\n If you really want to live it up in Lake Tahoe you can charter a 45-foot private yacht<\/a>!<\/p>\n We always rent a boat for at least one day when we are in Lake Tahoe and it always ends up being my family’s favorite day of the trip. <\/p>\n Book Your Boat: <\/strong>Private Boat Charter<\/a><\/p>\n Lake Tahoe is an excellent lake to water ski or wakeboard or inner tube! The best time to enjoy these water sports is in the morning when the lake is calm and less and crowded. <\/p>\n You can book a private customizable water sports excursion<\/a> to enjoy a fun-filled day on the lake.<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Water Sports Excursion<\/a><\/p>\n If water sports are not your thing don’t worry, you can enjoy a more relaxed experience on the lake by taking a happy hour cruise<\/a>. On this two-hour cruise, you’ll discover South Lake Tahoe onboard a world-class yacht.<\/p>\n Cruise around the lake surrounded by breathtaking views and enjoy delicious happy hour snacks and beverages.<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Lake Tahoe Happy Hour Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n There are tons of great parks and playgrounds in Lake Tahoe! These are great places to go on nature walks, let your children play, or have a picnic.<\/p>\n Check out North Tahoe Parks<\/a> and Tahoe South Parks<\/a> for details. <\/p>\n Kayaking and paddleboarding are both great ways to get out on the water, explore the lake, and get some exercise. You can book a kayaking or paddleboarding tour<\/a> geared towards first-timers that will help you with your paddling skills while you explore the lake with your knowledgeable tour guide.<\/p>\n Or you can rent kayaks and paddle boards at one of the many local shops along the lake.<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Private Kayak or Paddle Board Tour<\/a><\/p>\n If you want to experience how absolutely stunning (and blue!) Lake Tahoe is from the ski I suggest booking a private helicopter tour<\/a>. On this 30-minute helicopter tour you’ll enjoy magnificent views as you fly over Emerald Bay, then south along the mountains over Cascade Lake, MountTallac, and Fallen Leaf Lake.<\/p>\n You’ll also see waterfalls, private coves, and more. For this tour, you’ll depart from South Tahoe Airport<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Private Helicopter Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Emerald Bay State Park is an inlet along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe and is known for its colorful granite cliffs and stunning panoramas. Carved millions of years ago by passing glaciers, Emerald Bay State Park<\/a> is a must-see but it can be crowded in the summer, and finding parking can be tough.<\/p>\n To avoid the crowds and parking hassle, I suggest booking a private Emerald Bay boat tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Private Emerald Bay Boat Tour<\/a><\/p>\n If you like to gamble then you’ve come to the right place! There are over a dozen casinos in Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe casinos offer everything from blackjack and poker to roulette, craps, and slots. On the north shore, you can gamble on the Nevada side at Crystal Bay Casino. You can also stay and play at Border House at Crystal Bay Casino<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the south shore check out Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino and Resort<\/a>. This is a great spot to stay in South Lake Tahoe if gambling is a priority during your trip.<\/p>\n If you have children (my daughter is six years old) I highly suggest spending an afternoon at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. As I mentioned above, this is my favorite public beach in Tahoe. <\/p>\n Commons Beach is easily accessible (you’ll see it from the road as you drive through Tahoe City), there’s a great playground here, a big lawn for lounging and picnics, and a nice sandy beach where your kids can splash around and play in the sand. <\/p>\n They also have concerts and other free events at Commons Beach and there’s a great bike path that runs along the lake there. My daughter loves this beach and constantly begs to go for a beach day here.<\/p>\n In the summer months, there is world-class mountain biking at many of the ski resorts, and there are also bike paths that run along the lake, so you can enjoy biking through the mountains or around the lake with your family.<\/p>\n There are several bike rental spots in Tahoe City or you can book an electric bike tour<\/a>!<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Electric Bike Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Donner Memorial State Park<\/a> in Truckee offers hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. While there you should also check out the Emigrant Trail Museum and Pioneer Monument. The Pioneer Monument<\/a> is dedicated to the ill-fated Donner Party.<\/p>\n You might recall the chilly story of the Donner Party. Of the 87 people who started on the journey across the American West (29 men, 15 women, and 43 children), only 47 survived. The vast majority were children, who adults kept alive through cannibalism. Survivors of the nightmare described the horrific details to their rescuers.<\/p>\n The Village at Northstar Resort has an outdoor rink that is used for ice skating in the winter and rollerblading in the summer. This is a great place to let your kids play while you enjoy cocktails rink-side!<\/p>\n There are a handful of great restaurants on the lake in Tahoe. Two of my favorites on the north shore are Za’s and Gar Woods. Za\u2019s Lakefront Bar & Grill<\/a> is a casual spot on the lake in Tahoe City that has excellent pizza, burgers, pasta, and salads. This is one of my go-to restaurants when I\u2019m in Tahoe.<\/p>\n If you’re looking for a fine dining spot, right next door is a great upscale restaurant, Christy Hill<\/a>. They have nice outdoor seating and a little outdoor bar set up in the summer time with fire tables, so this restaurant is also a good place in Tahoe City to grab a happy hour cocktail or a nightcap. <\/p>\n Although it’s pricey and touristy, I also love Gar Woods Grill & Pier.<\/a> This spot is just down the street from my Lake Tahoe cabin in Carnelian Bay. This is a great place for lunch, dinner, or drinks right on the lake and also a good spot to get on your rental boat in the summer.<\/p>\n Also if you’re single and looking to mingle the bar at Gar Wood seems to always be packed!<\/p>\n In the summer months, you can float the Truckee Rivers! Start in Tahoe City at Truckee River Raft Co.<\/a> and end at River Ranch Restaurant & Lodge<\/a>. The company takes the rafts from you at the end and returns them while you take a shuttle back to the point of origin.<\/p>\n To save money, you can also just buy individual inner tubes at the gas station across the street from the raft rental places, but then you also have to make sure you have 2 cars; leave one car at the end point and one at the starting point. It\u2019s about a 3-hour raft ride, slow and mellow.<\/p>\n In the summer months, there are art walks and art tours in North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe. These events are being updated constantly so do a quick internet search to find art events in the area you are staying.<\/p>\n There is great hiking all around Lake Tahoe. If you\u2019re looking for a moderately easy hike in North Lake Tahoe try Tahoe Rim Trail to Picnic Rock Viewpoint<\/a> which takes about 45 minutes and offers incredible views at the top!<\/p>\n I hiked the Rim Trail to Picnic Rock with a couple of friends and loved it! Check out All Trails<\/em> for a list of the best hikes in South Lake Tahoe<\/a> and the best hikes in North Lake Tahoe<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are an array of great golf course courses in Lake Tahoe including Incline Village Championship Course<\/a> in North Lake Tahoe and Edgewood Golf Course<\/a> in South Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of the top 10 golf courses in Lake Tahoe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Take a balloon ride offering amazing views with Lake Tahoe Balloons<\/a>. Or you can book a hot air balloon ride<\/a> over Carson Valley. <\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Hot Air Balloon Ride<\/a><\/p>\n In the winter months, you can snowshoe or rent snowmobiles! Just make sure you stay on a path and take safety precautions. A few years ago one of my friends went snowmobiling and did not come back. He got lost and had no cell service.<\/p>\n It got dark and cold so he had to spend the night in the woods and burn some of his clothes to start a fire to he didn’t freeze. The next day he found his way back but he was freezing, starving, and scared. I know this sounds like a crazy story, but it’s true.<\/p>\n If you rent a snowmobile or go walking or snowshoeing in the backcountry please take safety precautions!<\/p>\n Visit Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe,<\/a> South Lake Tahoe\u2019s premier machine-groomed sledding, tubing, and snow play destination!<\/p>\n The Truckee River flows for 120 miles from the outlet of Lake Tahoe in California, into Nevada, through the city of Reno, until it terminates at Pyramid Lake. Truckee River is the only river that flows out of Lake Tahoe – all the other rivers flow into<\/em> Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n The majority of the streamflow in the Truckee River comes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains when the snowpack melts. White water rafting on Truckee River is a fun and exciting way to spend an afternoon. You can book this half day white water rafting tour<\/a> geared towards beginners or intermediate rafters. <\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>White Water Rafting Tour<\/a><\/p>\n There are several miniature golf courses in Lake Tahoe. My family loves Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Course in Carnelian Bay. On Father’s Day, my daughter got her first hole-in-one there (she’s only 6), so you can imagine how proud my husband was!<\/p>\n There is also a miniature golf course in Kings Beach and a Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe as well.<\/p>\n Yosemite National Park is just a four-hour drive from Lake Tahoe so it can be visited during a single day trip. I recommend booking a Yosemite National Park Full-Day Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n On this adventure you’ll travel by luxury mini-bus from site to site, stopping to take photos along the way. You’ll also take a seasonal hike to Bridalveil Falls or Yosemite Falls and enjoy a picnic lunch in the valley.<\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Yosemite National Park Full-Day Tour<\/a><\/p>\n If you like beer stop by Truckee Brewing Company <\/a>for a fresh pint after a day of hiking or skiing. They serve up local, craft beer in a relaxed, cool atmosphere with good service. Their food is also good too – try the nachos. <\/p>\n There are some fun wine-tasting spots around Lake Tahoe. In North Lake Tahoe check out Tahoe Wine Collective and Uncorked in Tahoe City. In South Lake Tahoe stop by The Cork & More and or try a Tahoe Tastings boat cruise<\/a>. <\/p>\n Book Your Tour: <\/strong>Wine-Tasting Boat Cruise<\/a><\/p>\n Lake Tahoe offers world-class skiing for all skill levels at 16 different resorts! In North Lake Tahoe two of the best resorts are Palisades Tahoe Resort<\/a> and Northstar Resort<\/a>. In South Lake Tahoe the best resort is Heavenly Mountain Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n These are three of the bigger mountains but some of the smaller mountains can be great because they tend to be less crowded and life tickets are cheaper. Check out my Ultimate Guide To Lake Tahoe<\/a> for a complete list of all the places you can hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n If you prefer to stay at a hotel, there are a handful of good hotel options in the Lake Tahoe area. Here are 14 top-rated hotels and vacation rentals<\/strong> in Lake Tahoe:<\/p>\n I hope this guide has inspired you to consider Lake Tahoe for your next getaway!<\/p>\n Lake Tahoe attracts over 2.7 million visitors annually and has been consistently ranked in the top five best places to visit in California, top five best adventure vacations in the U.S.A., and it was rated “America’s best lake” by USA Today.<\/p>\n You can check out my Ultimate Guide To Lake Tahoe<\/a> for all the information you need to plan an unforgettable getaway here! And if you’re looking for more inspiration you can check out all our California Guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Lake Tahoe. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Want to write for We Are Travel Girls? Visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/i><\/b><\/a> for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lake-tahoe-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n25 Unique Things To Do In Lake Tahoe<\/h2>\n
1) Attend A Local Event<\/h2>\n
2) Stay Awhile<\/h2>\n
![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lake-tahoe-luxury-cabin-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3) Beach Day<\/h2>\n
4) Swim <\/h2>\n
5) Explore Lake Tahoe By Boat<\/h2>\n
![\"Vanessa](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/vanessa-rivers-lake-tahoe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6) Water Ski, Wakeboard<\/strong> & Tube<\/h2>\n
7) Happy Hour Cruise<\/h2>\n
8) Tahoe Parks & Playgrounds<\/strong> <\/h2>\n
9) Kayak & Paddle Board<\/h2>\n
![\"Kayaking,](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/kayaking-lake-tahoe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10) Helicopter Tour<\/h2>\n
11) Explore Emerald Bay<\/h2>\n
12) Gambling<\/h2>\n
13) Family Day at Commons Beach <\/h2>\n
![\"Commons](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/commons-beach-lake-tahoe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n14) Biking<\/h2>\n
16) Donner Memorial State Park & Museum<\/strong> <\/h2>\n
15) Ice Skating & Rollerblading<\/strong><\/h2>\n
17) Enjoy A Great Meal On The Lake<\/h2>\n
![\"Gar](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/gar-woods-lake-tahoe.jpg\")
<\/p>\n18) Float The Truckee River<\/strong><\/h2>\n
19) Art Walks & Art Tours<\/strong><\/h2>\n
20) Hiking<\/h2>\n
![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lake-Tahoe-Hiking.jpg\")
<\/p>\n21) Golfing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
22) Hot Air Balloon Ride<\/strong><\/h2>\n
23) Snowshoe & Snowmobile<\/strong><\/h2>\n
24) Sledding and Tubing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
25) White Water Rafting<\/h2>\n
26) Miniature Golf<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Magic](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/magic-carpet-miniature-golf-carnelian-bay.jpg\")
<\/p>\n27) Day Trip to Yosemite National Park <\/h2>\n
28) Sip Beer at Truckee Brewing Company<\/h2>\n
29) Tahoe Wine Tasting<\/h2>\n
30) Skiing and Snowboarding<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Palisades](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Palisades-Tahoe-Resort-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhere To Stay In Lake Tahoe<\/h2>\n
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![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/lake-tahoe-luxury-cabin.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThings To Do In Lake Tahoe Wrap Up<\/h2>\n
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