Lake Tahoe Travel - sightseeing guide

Be it summer or winter, Lake Tahoe has many attractions for sightseeing. These include:

Hot air balloon rides over Lake Tahoe.

Museums:
      
1) The South Lake Tahoe Historical Society and Museum - has preserved elements of the history of the region, from that of the native Indians to the settlers.
          
2) Tallac Historic Site - Relive the luxurious resort era and summer homes of the early 1900s. It includes the Tallac Resort (once labeled the greatest casino in America), Baldwin Estate and Washoe Exhibit, which houses museums and an art gallery. The Pope Estate and Valhalla Estate are also nearby.

3) The Emigrant Trail Museum - Has elements of local life, native Indians, natural history of the Truckee basin area. It houses the Pioneer Monument in memory of all those who made the historic trek across the mountains to reach California in the 1840s. There are guided nature tours and camping activities.

4) The Gatekeeper’s Museum - It housed the gatekeeper who monitored Tahoe’s water level. It contains Indian artifacts, natural history displays and a research library.

5) The Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum – Houses Marion Steinbach’s lifelong collection of native Indian artifacts, tools and dolls.

6) The 1960 Eighth Olympic Winter Games Museum - The Games put Squaw Valley under the world spotlight. Check out the museum for sports memorablia of the event.

7) Ehrman Mansion - Originally the property of I. W. Hellman, who purchased it in 1913, it was acquired by California State Park System in 1965. Today it remains a leftover of that opulent era of the early 20th century.

8) Ponderosa Ranch - It is an exciting location reminding people of the Old West. It is famous for appearing on   N.B.C.'s "Bonanza" TV series. It became a cult show and since the ranch opened to visitors in 1967, it has been attracting tourists in droves.
 
9) Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber - A completely glass-paneled world, which lets you into the Taylor Creek environment and habitat of trout, crayfish, insects, frogs etc. The ecosystem of the Tahoe region is exhibited.

10) Vikingsholm Castle and Fanette Island - Located at the west end of Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm Castle is considered the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in the Western hemisphere. It was constructed on the whim of a Chicago lady, Mrs. Lora J. Knight, who was determined to replicate a Scandinavian castle in America, a dream which was fulfilled in 1929. Fannette Island is the only island on Lake Tahoe and Mrs. Knight built a tea house there. A visitor to the castle and the island gets a bonus in that it is close to the beautiful waterfalls called Eagle Falls.

13. Lake Tahoe has myriad attractions. Be it the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival or the comedy shows at the local nightclubs, tourists can have a whale of a time. And blessed with such natural wonders and gorgeous terrains, the possibilities for outdoor activities are endless and enjoyable all the year round.