Full Day Itinerary Options

Lake Tahoe Options

Paddle Boat Tours

Tahoe Gal - (North Shore) The only paddle wheeler on Lake Tahoe featuring eco-friendly engines! She is equipped with a full galley and bar, and offers exclusive charters for corporate meetings, dinners, weddings and cocktail cruises. A private room is perfect for small private parties and business meetings up to thirty people. The Commodore Salon may be rented on a regular cruise without the expense of chartering the entire vessel. tahoegal.com, 800-218-2464

Tahoe Queen and MS Dixie II - (South Shore) Both boats offer cruises around the lake. From the decks of the M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of Tahoe’s crystal blue waters and towering peaks – whether you choose a daytime scenic cruise or sunset dinner cruise that includes live entertainment and delicious entrées. The Tahoe cruises to Emerald Bay are an absolute must – offering views of some of the most incredible scenery in the world. Enjoy a dose of South Lake Tahoe history with the captain’s live narration as you visit one of the most photographed natural attractions in the world. zephyrcove.com/cruises.aspx, 775-589-4906

Thunderbird Lodge - Built in the 1930s by eccentric millionaire, George Whittell, this historic mansion was intended to keep him secluded with his many toys and exotic animals, which included a lion and an elephant. Whittell, however, is the reason that so much of Lake Tahoe remains in its pristine condition; he bought nearly 40% of the lake front (most of the northeast side of the lake) and eventually left the land to be enjoyed by residents and visitors. Tour the Thunderbird Lodge’s secret passages and its namesake, “The Thunderbird”: the country’s most valuable wooden boat, complete with P-52 engines.thunderbirdtahoe.org, 775-832-8750

Lake Tahoe – Winter

Ski and Snowboard - Lake Tahoe has 18 world-class ski areas, from downhill mountains with beginner, intermediate and high-difficulty runs to cross-country skiing. Get information and find out which ski areas are best for you by going to: visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/ski/search

Ice Skating - Ice Skating is a fun and quick activity for families. No motors and very little risk. There are plenty of ice skating options around Lake Tahoe.

Carson City Options

Nevada’s state capital has a population of about 55,000 people, but its history and influence on the western expansion of the United States is extraordinarily significant. The habitat of the Eastern Sierras must have been a welcome refuge for explorers Kit Carson and John C. Fremont as they rode into Eagle Valley during their 1840s quest to map the West. To the east, long stretches of desert mark the difficult terrain settlers had to endure to get here. To the west, the Sierra Nevada mountain range stretches out as a gateway to the Pacific. visitcarsoncity.com

Kit Carson Trail - Kit Carson, the explorer known for mapping the west and paving the way for Carson City's foundation, is still alive along the 2.5-mile path that bears his name. The Kit Carson Trail is a walking path through Carson City's residential district. A painted blue line and bronze medallions along the sidewalk mark the route, which features stops at landmarks, including 1800s-era Victorian-style homes, museums and churches. More than 60 landmarks are featured along the Kit Carson trail. visitcarsoncity.com/tours/kitcarson_talkinghouses.php, 775-687-7410.

Stewart Indian School Trail -The Stewart Indian School was the only off-reservation boarding school for Native Americans from 1890 to 1980. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is comprised of 83 buildings. The Stewart Indian School Trail is a self-guided walking tour of the campus with 20 points of interest and audio stories. Using personal cell phones, visitors can access recorded messages from alumni and employees about their personal experiences at the school.  stewartindianschool.com, 775-687-8333

Carson Valley (Minden, Gardnerville & Genoa) Options

Located about an hour south of Reno, the Carson Valley is rich in western history and lore. Visitors can spend hours or days visiting historic sites and museums, steeping themselves in the lives of the early settlers. Discover detailed information on Kit Carson and Snowshoe Thomson, the Pony Express, the Emigrant Trail and more. visitcarsonvalley.org, 775-782-8144

Genoa - The town of Genoa, originally named Mormon Station, is the oldest permanent non-native settlement in Nevada. It boasts many historic buildings, a wonderful museum and a park featuring a stockade. The Douglas County Historical Society commemorates the area’s heritage at the Courthouse Museum.genoanevada.org, 775-782-8696

Tahoe Ridge Winery was known as Churchill Vineyards when it was founded in 1990. By 1994, three research vineyards were planted. They began making wine from several unique Nevada grape varieties: Chardonnay, Semillon, Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Lemberger. The Marketplace and Bistro is full of a variety of wonderful wines, foods, wine accessories, jewelry, books and clothing. Wine tasting at Tahoe Ridge is always complimentary and anyone over 21 is welcome to enjoy the quality wines. In addition to wine, the Marketplace and Bistro also has a wide selection of imported and domestic beers, along with a full Bistro menu featuring an assortment of salads, appetizers, gourmet pizzas and bistro fare. tahoeridge.com, 800-783-1566

Fallon Options

From the Top Gun Raceway to the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, Fallon is full of high-speed excitement and communities of friends. About 40 minutes from Reno, Fallon offers visitors a full range of first-class outdoor adventures and historic sites dating back thousands of years! visitfallonnevada.com

Pyramid Lake Options

Pyramid Lake is a component of the National Scenic Byways program and is the only byway in the nation entirely within a tribal reservation. This route takes the visitor 37 miles along the shore, providing a unique opportunity to learn more about the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Pyramid Lake is approximately 15 miles long and 11 miles wide. The 300-foot-deep lake sustains a vast number of plants and animal life, including the famous Lahontan cutthroat trout, which draws anglers from around the world. Anaho Island, a National Wildlife Refuge, is the breeding ground for one of the largest colonies of American White Pelicans and a resting spot for other migratory waterfowl. The surrounding mountains are home to deer, antelope and bighorn sheep. A recreational paradise awaits you at Pyramid Lake where you'll find boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and sublime vistas - all only 30 minutes from Reno. pyramidlake.us

Virginia City Options

Once a vital settlement between Denver and San Francisco, Virginia City influenced the entire country. During its boom, Virginia City's mining proceeds amounted to millions of dollars, equaling billions today. Every inch of this picturesque, Victorian-era town celebrates this colorful history. Stroll authentic wooden sidewalks to Old West saloons, shops, museums and restaurants. Or, visit historic churches, 19th century homes, public buildings and quaint cemeteries. Maybe it's a ride on a stagecoach, horse-drawn carriage, trolley or the V&T Railroad steam engine train that crosses the high desert landscape dotted with old mines. Take your step back in time in Virginia City! Just 40 minutes from downtown Reno.

Fourth Ward School Museum - Abandoned to the elements, the Fourth Ward School seemed doomed until it was resurrected in 1986, 50 years after the school closed its doors. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of visitors have made their way to the school to celebrate Virginia City's glorious past as a frontier town during the gold and silver boom. fourthwardschool.org, 775-847-0975

Mine Tours - Silver and gold made Virginia City an iconic mining town, one that will forever be recognized as one of the greatest. It also formed the character of Nevada, and to a greater extent, the nation as a whole. Visitors can experience this rich and colorful time period as they explore Virginia City's museums, historic buildings, and of course, some of its mines.

Western Historic Radio Museum - If radios are your passion, you must plan on visiting the Radio Museum, located in the Parish House at 109 South F Street. This museum is home to numerous antique and vintage radios which are displayed in chronological order with a description of the radio and its significance in radio history. You’ll also enjoy viewing a large collection of radio personality photographs including original, signed posters. The Western Historic Radio Museum features displays of antique, classic and vintage radios featuring examples of the earliest wireless spark-gap apparatus up to the "kitsch" radios of the early fifties. radioblvd.com