When traveling northeast of Lake Tahoe, you will encounter the high desert land of Reno, which is the second largest city in Nevada (behind the flashy Las Vegas scene). Often referred to as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno has a reputation, as well, for providing adventurous gaming opportunities and more. Many casinos have come and gone, but one of the biggest crowning achievements of Reno is serving as the birthplace of the casino empire, Harrah’s Entertainment. While there is plenty to do in the city, (depending on the season), you might want to consider some of the following suggestions:

The Great Reno Balloon Race

If you’re in the neighborhood when September rolls around, Reno features the Great Balloon Race at the Rancho San Rafael Park. A tradition for about 25 years, you don’t have to be a flight enthusiast to enjoy this sight, which is free for all to enjoy.

Enjoy the Water

Numerous seasonal and year-round outdoor activities are offered in Reno, especially when it comes to the local bodies of water. Three major marine gems are located in the city, including the Truckee River, Pyramid Lake, and Lake Tahoe. While swimming is a popular activity, locals and tourists also enjoy water-skiing, fishing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and jet-skiing. Visitors also flock to the Truckee River to enjoy a day of kayaking.

Enjoy the Snow

A trip to Reno in the winter brings you close to an enjoyable atmosphere that makes skiing and snowboarding a real joy. There are eight major ski resorts to consider paying a visit to, such as Diamond Peak, Alpine Meadows, and the Squaw Valley Ski Resort. The snow also allows ice-skating, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

National Automobile Museum

To enjoy a walk into automotive history, this museum is the perfect place to visit, especially if you have a thing for old cars. Here, vehicles made in the late 19th century to beyond the 1960s are on display (many of which once belonged to the late casino owner, William Harrah). Some of the items you may come across include a V-16 Cadillac, as well as a Jeep SUV with a V-12 Ferrari engine.

Get Married

If you can’t wait a second longer to solidify the union between you and your sweetheart, then Reno has the solution. Quick marriages are offered in Reno, where no waiting period is required. Plus, if you are 18 years or older, you don’t need your parents permission to get hitched in Reno, which offers marriage licenses from 8am to midnight at the Washoe County Courthouse.



Thanks to Gabriel Adams for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:

South Lake Tahoe Casino Hotels

If you’re looking for a summer vacation with mountain fresh air and mild temperatures, then Lake Tahoe is the place for you.  The average summer temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.  Tahoe is known for its clear blue water and beautiful mountains surrounding the alpine lake some 4,500 miles above sea level.  The lake’s western shore in California offers several activities for summer vacationers.  From Tahoe City down to Emerald Bay, the west side has lodging, restaurants, boating, kayaking, boat cruises, swimming, hiking, rafting and tours of historic sites.

Tahoe City, the largest city on the western side, offers several options for your summer vacation.  The city has many places to stay and eat with plenty of lake side dinning choices.  The Sunnyside Lodge offers the mountain grill on their large deck overlooking the lake.  The grill has a casual atmosphere where kids are welcome.  The menu consists of appetizers, sandwiches, seafood dishes and salads.  The Calamari steak sandwich is my favorite menu item. Sunnyside is also a lodge that has been a landmark on Lake Tahoe since the 1950s. Their location is right on the lakefront with 23 guestrooms and suites.

Rafting and boat cruises are also popular activities in Tahoe City.  You can take a leisurely, self guided raft down the Truckee River.  The trip is a five mile float down the river ending up at the River Run restaurant. About half way down the river along the shore is an ice cream vendor.  This stop is a nice break and provides a cool treat on a summer afternoon.  You can also enjoy a nice meal along the river at the restaurant at the end of your trip.  From the restaurant you can take a bus back to your car on highway 89.  There are two different rafting companies on highway 89 offering rentals.

Departing from Tahoe City, the North Tahoe Cruises offer sightseeing boat cruises on the Tahoe Gal.  They offer four different daily cruises; a shoreline brunch cruise, a lunch cruise to Emerald Bay, a cocktail cruise and sunset dinner cruise.  We took the sunset dinner cruise that goes along the northern shore.  This cruise features views of some of the luxury lakefront homes and beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Further down the shore on Tahoe’s west side, between Homewood and Meeks Bay, is Sugar Pine Point State Park.  The park has many miles of inland hiking trails and a variety of trees including the park’s namesake, the sugar pine.  The park also has two miles of lakefront, but the beaches are too rocky for many beach activities.  Another attraction here is the rustic three-story Ehrman Mansion which was built in the early 1900s and is open for guided tours.

In Meek Bays at the Meeks Bay Resort and Marina, you have several summer activities to choose from.  Boat, canoe and kayak rentals are available along with access to beautiful white sand beaches, barbeques and designated swimming areas.  Meeks Bay also offers fishing, hiking and the Washoe Cultural Art Festival.  The Meeks Bay Resort offers a variety of lodging choices.  You can stay in log cabins along the lakefront or stay in a historic mansion.  The Kehlet Mansion rests on the bay’s north point and offers impressive views of the lake.

Emerald Bay is located in the southwest corner of Lake Tahoe and is home to a unique Vikingsholm mansion built in 1868 and features Scandinavian architecture.  The bay also has a small island, Fannette Island, where a Tea House was built.  This is the only island to be found on Lake Tahoe.  You can get to the Vikingholm by boat or by hiking down the trail from the parking lot on Highway 89.  The hike is about one mile and drops 500 feet to the base of the bay where the house is located.

Down the road from the Vikingshom parking lot, you will come to the Eagle Falls Picnic Area parking lot on highway 89.  From here you can hike the trail that leads to the Upper Eagle Falls which is about a one-third a mile away.  The hike is very rocky and has steep areas that drop off suddenly.  The trail offers several breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe.  If you keep climbing further up the trail you’ll reach Eagle Lake.  The hike is two miles round trip if you go all the way to the lake.

The west side of Lake Tahoe has plenty to offer summer vacationers.  From Tahoe City in the northwest down to Sugar Pine Point, Meeks Bay and Emerald Bay in the southwest, the western side of Lake Tahoe is a great choice during the summer months to enjoy all that Lake Tahoe has to offer.



Thanks to Rick Keel for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:

Embassy Suites South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is undoubtedly one of the finest tourist destinations in the world. It is situated along the border of two western US states, California and Nevada, and is the eighth deepest lake in the world. It is also the highest lake of its size in the United States and the largest alpine lake in North America. With 63 tributaries draining into it, and with only one outlet at the Truckee River, it is a full water body through out the year. And the best thing is that the water is 99.9% pure.

The lake that never freezes gives its visitors a rare treat of a beautiful landscape, adventure, entertainment and sports through out the year. Due to a pleasant dry climate with low humidity and sunshine for three quarters of the year, it has a constant stream of visitors throughout the four seasons. Therefore whether in rain, snow or sunshine, there is always something for everybody to do.

Winter sports of course are a major draw. Ice skating, sledding and tubing, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snowmobile rides, skiing and snowboarding are all the activities that the doctor ordered for snow lovers.

But do not despair if you reach Lake Tahoe in warmer months. There is a still lot of excitement awaiting you. Golf, sailing, hiking, camping swimming, water skiing, mountain biking, fishing, tennis are just few of the things that you can do there in the other three seasons.

For the laid back among us, there are unique boutiques where one can spend afternoons just shopping. And for the ‘foodies’ there are some exciting Tahoe restaurants to choose from.

The ‘Jewel of the Sierra’s', also offers plenty of gaming at an exciting array of casinos. Twenty-four hour gaming, cabaret shows, live music & dancing can keep the pulse racing through out your stay. For chronic insomniacs, nightclubs, like Altitude and Club Nero, can offer you plenty of excitement. These not only attract great crowds but also world-renowned acts.

For those who are looking for the ultimate place to say their ‘I dos’, Lake Tahoe may just be the place you visualized in your dreams. Lake Tahoe has become one of the most desired wedding destinations in the world. It offers spectacular wedding backdrops from gorgeous summer sunsets to pristine snow capped mountains.

If getting there is your concern, remember that access to this magnificent destination is easy with the airport just 3 miles away from the south shore of scenic Lake Tahoe. And an excellent public transportation system can get you from the airport to your destination quickly and easily.

Accommodation too is not a problem which several options to choose from. You can rent anything from plush casino resorts and elegant condos to cozy family getaways and lakeside hotels and campsites. Wherever you stay, there is no excuse for not enjoying Lake Tahoe!



Thanks to Alan Swanson for contributing this article to our Lake Tahoe blog:

Things To Do In Lake Tahoe