Lake Tahoe help, please

[linda0706]

We'll be in Tahoe for 4 days in mid March. It'll be me, DH, & DD8. Anybody have any great family suggestions? Day trips?

We're not skiers but thought about snow tubing. There looks to be a bajillion ski resorts...do you know which are best for tubing or sledding?

What about Virginia City...is it worth a daytrip?

We'd love to go to Yosemite, but the direct route will still be closed for winter. Oh well, maybe next time.

All suggestions are welcomed! By the way, we're staying at Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe.

 

[Master Mason]

Go around to incline village and go to the Ponderosa Ranch.

If you can get to Virginia City it is pretty interesting, but you can cover everything in a couple of hours for sure.

 

[PigletsPal]

Several years ago we took a trip to Lake Tahoe during spring break which was in March. A major snow storm took the whole city by surprise....16 inches. It was the very first time I ever saw snow. We did tubing one day and my boys had a blast. We also rode around the lake. Good luck on your trip.

 

[diznygirl]

Go around to incline village and go to the Ponderosa Ranch.

If you can get to Virginia City it is pretty interesting, but you can cover everything in a couple of hours for sure.

The ranch closed a few years ago.

There are casinos on the Nevada side. You could check into shows. I remember the ride up being very very winding. I wouldn't take a day trip once up there. But I get car sick!

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[everylastbreath]

Love Tahoe- Over by Harrahs Casino the Heavenly Ski lift is right next door, even if your not going skiing, I would take the lift up the mountain - it is sooo beautiful, there is a place to eat up there and you can wander around looking at the different lifts & classes. Right at the bottom of the mountain is a nice ice skating rink and movie theater. There are plenty of places you can rent snow mobiles and take a tour with a guide.

Didn't see much in Virginia City - don't know if I would waste a day there. You could go to Reno and see the Car Museum. Just plan on taking the ride down in the daylight, I wouldn't want to travel the road up to Tahoe in the dark!

 

[linda0706]

Thanks so much for the ideas. Tahoe was never even on my radar as someplace to visit, so I know nothing about it except what I've googled in the last few days.

We're really excited...its a reward trip from my company for meeting our sales goal last year. Airfare & hotel are paid for, we just have to pay for food & entertainment. Love it!

 

[MelessaG]

I went last August, so I'm guessing the paddleboat cruise on the lake and the hiking we did aren't going to be in season. But I do second the Heavenly Ski lift.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We enjoyed a side trip to Virginia City. I don't think it's worth a whole day, but it's kind of cool to visit. There is a simple tour of a mine inside one of the saloons that goes underground or into the mountain, at least. There are references to visits by Mark Twain, the cemetery is interesting, as well as some of the buildings.

We've also visited Donner Memorial Park where the Donner party was stranded, going through Truckee to get there. We also thought that was an interesting side trip.

There is a walk down from the road to an interesting house in Emerald Bay (sorry the name escapes me - I think it's Scandinavian, though).

Have fun. It's beautiful there.

 

[MelessaG]

We enjoyed a side trip to Virginia City. I don't think it's worth a whole day, but it's kind of cool to visit. There is a simple tour of a mine inside one of the saloons that goes underground or into the mountain, at least. There are references to visits by Mark Twain, the cemetery is interesting, as well as some of the buildings.

We've also visited Donner Memorial Park where the Donner party was stranded, going through Truckee to get there. We also thought that was an interesting side trip.

There is a walk down from the road to an interesting house in Emerald Bay (sorry the name escapes me - I think it's Scandinavian, though).

Have fun. It's beautiful there.

It's Vikingsholm. It was one of my favorite things from the trip last summer. The lady who built the house was American, but well-traveled and built the house with as much Scandanavian influence and imported furnishings as she could get shipped to the Tahoe area. I took the tour, it was fun.

 

[kaoden39]

What about the paddle boats out on the lake? Are they still there too? That might be an idea.

 

[Floydian]

Hmm, staying in South Tahoe. Well, the draw of the area is two-fold, casinos and outdoor activities. March is still winter, thus it's snow sports for Tahoe. Skiing, snowmobiles, snowshoeing, sledding. So if the DD won't be gambling , and you don't ski (maybe you should try?), the options can be limited.

First of all, I agree that taking the tram at Heavenly is a great idea. Plus, it seems that Heavenly has tubing and sledding and many other things available available at the top of the Gondola in an area called Adventure Peak. I sure wish that had that during the winter I worked there (long long LONG ago).

Also, be aware that everything else is about an hour (or more) away down mountain roads. Fortunately, Hwy 50 isn't a bad drive even in winter. That'll get you to Carson City in 30-40 minutes. From Carson City it's another 20-30 minutes to Virginia City, which is quaint, and can be finished by most visitors in 2-3 hours. Or, from Carson City it's another 40-50 minutes to Reno, which has a couple of spots for kids, but not really anything I would consider a "destination".

There's a Train Museum in Carson City, the Car Museum in Reno, and a couple of good "play centers" at some of the resorts in/around Reno. As of when I left in 2006, the best was at Boomtown west of Reno on I-80. But from where you're staying, you'd be looking at a 90 minute drive for carnival games, mini golf, and a motion theater.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your trip. If I was wealthy, one of my homes would definitely be at Tahoe. When I was younger and could get around well enough to hike and ski, it was the best place to be in winter, and I still think it's just about perfect in the summer. All in all, it's easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

 

[mamacatnv]

Okay - I live in Reno, close to Tahoe, finally something I actually know a little something about

Ponderosa Ranch closed several years ago.

Over the weekend Tahoe got a couple of feet of snow so the skiers and the resorts are happy. The resorts cater to everyone and all skill levels. You could take a family ski lesson or just ride the gondola. The gondola ride is breathtaking but be warned, the top of the ride is close to 10,000 FT and the air is thin up there. Heavenly also has a zip line ride that is supposed to be incredible. Remember to drink lots and lots of water while you are here.

Will you be renting a car? If the weather is decent maybe plan a day at Squaw Valley. They have snowtubing, ice skating, a cable ride and you could even take a dog sled ride etc. Plus, Squaw Valley is beautiful and not quite as high as Heavenly.

Truckee, CA is a fun little historical town with lots of shopping, restaurants and as a previous poster stated the Donner Memorial.

Virginia City is worth seeing IMO. We need the tourist bucks It was recently named one of America’s 12 most distinctive destinations. The businesses are a little cheesy and touristy but the mine exhibit and the V&T Railroad are worth a visit. Pipers Opera House, the old cemetary and the church are beautiful and full of history. Since March is off season, I would call ahead and make sure the things that peak your interest are open.

In Carson City (state Capital) there is the Nevada State Museum with a lot of mining history. We went there when DS was in 5th grade and it didn't hold anyones attention for very long. It's an old museum and it feels "old". I have been driving by the railroad museum for 15 years and have never been.

Sierra at Tahoe offers lots of family adventure and is closer to S. Lake than Squaw. There is always the option of buying an inner tube and finding a hill. The Red Hut Waffle Shop is famous and a great place for breakfast. IMO skip Heidi's not worth the hype. The casinos offer cheap buffets but not necessarily good food. We prefer the local restaurants anyday.

At the base of Kingsbury Grade in Genoa, NV you will find Wally's Hot Springs. Nice place to spend a day soaking your cares away. It is a quick but steep winding road down from the lake.

Here is a list of several sledding/tubing options.http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/visitors/recreation.php?s0=17&s1=103&s=47&l=2

Honestly, Reno doesn't have much to see in the winter. The parks in and around the Truckee river are nice and the summer art festivals and kayak events are a lot of fun, but March......heck that is when we locals all bail out and head over the hill to San Francisco or Los Angeles (DisneyLand) we have been snow bound all winter and want out! The car museum is interesting if you like cars. The Museum of Art is nice but if you are used to big museums then Nevada Museums are not really an attraction We go to California for our "Brain Candy"

Reno's lates claim to fame (Sparks, actually) is the Scheels all Sports store. 298,000 sq. ft. of sporting goods. The place is massive. You can also ride the ferris wheel, or take a spin in the Nascar simulator. http://www.scheelssports.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ScheelsStoreView?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&storeLoc=RS

Pyramid Lake is unlike anything I had ever seen. Go thru Reno and it is another 45 min or so to it's shores. That would be 2-2.5 hours from South Shore. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Lake_(Nevada)

Sorry, I got a little carried away - Happy Planning and I hope you enjoy your trip.