Lake Tahoe, on the border between California and Nevada, is a popular destination spot year round. With plenty of warm sunshine in the summer and snowy slopes in the winter, there’s something for everyone!
If you’re planning a trip to Lake Tahoe during the summer when it’s warm and sunny, you can plan plenty of fun things to do. Here are just a few ideas that will ensure you have a blast from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave.
Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise
It goes without saying that the main attraction of Lake Tahoe is the lake! People travel from all over the country and the world to soak in the sights and spend as much time on the water as possible. One unique way to do that is by taking a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Tahoe.
There are lunch and dinner options, depending on the one that appeals to you. Families are sure to enjoy the lunch cruises, while couples will love attending a dinner cruise with dancing.
If relaxing and watching the scenery go by are your goals, a trip aboard the M.S. Dixie II is the perfect choice. If you’re looking for a little adventure and want to experience nature up close and personal, choose the Bleu Wave for lunch instead.
Soak up the Sun at Kings Beach State Recreation Area
No trip to Lake Tahoe is complete without a trip to Kings Beach State Recreation Area. With over 975 feet of property along the North Shore of the lake, there’s plenty to explore.
The area includes picnic tables, barbecues, and restrooms, so you can make a day of it. The whole family will love lounging on the sand and playing in the water. The youngest members of your family will love playing on the playground, while the adults will love playing a little basketball or hopping on a jet ski.
Fishing is also allowed! Just make sure everyone with a pole has the right fishing license.
Go Parasailing
Water sports are popular on the lake. There are plenty of boat ramps, which means you can hop on a speedboat or zoom around the water on a jet ski, but if you’re looking for something a little different, consider parasailing instead.
Parasailing is an unforgettable experience. It involves being secured in a harness while you are towed behind a boat. A canopy wing enables you to glide through the air with ease, well above and behind the boat, providing you with a unique and spectacular view of the surrounding area.
You can take a parasail ride all by yourself, but harnesses can include seats for two and three people, giving you the chance to have the experience with a friend or a loved one.
Hit the Trails on Horseback
Horseback riding is a skill that has greatly declined, but it comes with some amazing benefits. It can help you get a good workout, if you want to burn a few calories while you enjoy the lake, but it also has the ability to reduce stress and increase your sense of calm. That’s especially the case when you take to the trails on horseback and soak in the beautiful scenery at Lake Tahoe.
Tours are available for riders of every level of expertise. That means even the youngest, most inexperienced riders can take a jaunt through nature on horseback.
Private tours are also available. That means you, your friends, and family members will be the only ones on the tour, making for a unique experience that you will never forget.
Take the Train to Virginia City
If you’re looking for a little break from all the sand and sun, hop the train to Virginia City! You’ll take the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad through Gold Hill.
When you get there, you can:
- Visit a museum, like the Way It Was Museum, or the Fourth Ward School Museum
- See if you can discover a ghost at the Washoe Club Haunted Museum
- Tour the Mackay Mansion
- Tour the Ponderosa Mine
- Learn the history behind Piper’s Opera House
- Catch a show from the Virginia City Outlaws
- Get an old timey picture taken
- And much more!
Of course, if you planned to do nothing else but relax on the water, you can count your Lake Tahoe vacation a success. However, if you have the itch to go on an adventure and do something a little different, you give one or more of the things on this list a try!