Lake Tahoe Attractions

Bleu Wave Cruises is a luxurious way to see Lake Tahoe from the water. From its home base in Tahoe Keys Marina, the boat fits 47 people and is fully decked out to host a grand wedding or extravagant get-together. Complete with a stocked bar, fireplace, large lower lounge, stateroom, fly-bridge, gigantic party bow, restrooms and climate-controlled indoor facilities, Bleu Wave Cruises has all needs covered to create a welcoming ambiance. Cruises available include regularly scheduled afternoon and sunset tours of Emerald Bay, which are open to the public, and private charters for sightseeing or weddings.

History buffs, campers, cyclists, hikers and those who love their water sports will find Donner Memorial State Park the perfect place for either a visit or an extended stay. The Donner name is a nod to the story of the snow-stranded emigrants and their ill-fated wagon train in the winter of 1846–47. One part of the forlorn pioneer group made camp near Donner Lake, now site of the state park, during record-breaking snowfall. Now visitors can go to Donner Memorial State Park and check out the new $6.6 million visitor center/museum that chronicles the Donner Party and the human and natural history of the region. During summer season the park has 142 spaces for car, RV and tent camping. There is also a concessionaire renting water-sport toys from kayaks and SUPs to two-seater personal watercraft. Being a state park in the Sierra, everything is surrounded by beautiful pines and plenty of hiking and biking in adjacent Cold Stream Canyon and swimming in the kid-friendly canal and China Cove. Depending on snowfall, a cross-country ski trail is groomed through the park, which is also a great place for snowshoeing. An entrance fee is charged.

If visiting Lake Tahoe in the summer, a great place to camp is Emerald Bay State Park. The park includes two campgrounds: the Boat-In Camp (accessible by boat and foot only) and Eagle Point Campground. Within the park are various treasures including Tahoe's hidden castle, Vikingsholm, the scenic Rubicon foot trail that connects Eagle Point Campground with Vikingsholm and DL Bliss State Park. The park also encompasses Fanette Island, the only island of Lake Tahoe. The park extends below the surface of the lake, where visitors will find a historical story book of days gone by in the form of sunken barges, ships and launches. The park closes down in the winter, though people are able to walk the mile-long, steep trail to Vikingsholm Castle to enjoy the grounds and beaches. The trail can be a bit treacherous in winter if snowy or icy. Visitors should remember to pack it in and pack it out and to leave no trace. 

With its easy location in the center of town, Kings Beach State Recreation Area makes enjoying the sandy shoreline of Lake Tahoe simple. The park itself is free, and offers day use of a few miles of sandy beach, public bathrooms, a children's play area and barbecue grills. There are boat, Jet Ski and paddleboard rentals, and parking costs $10 for both cars and trucks. Dogs are not allowed on the beach; however, they are allowed in the picnic areas. Dogs must be on a leash 6-foot or shorter at all times. In the winter most of the bathrooms and other facilities are closed.

If you desire a little bit of culture with your mountain experience, then you are in for a treat with the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. This festival is a coming together of highly talented theatrical acts interlaced with the elegance of fine dining set in an al fresco ambiance that looks out upon a luxurious Tahoe setting, giving you the opportunity to run your fingers through the sand and to relax into an evening of suspense and intrigue. One of the greatest aspects of the summer-long festival is its D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare Program that gives an opportunity for the youth to access the stage. Throughout the summer, the program offers free performances that are produced for younger audiences. Each showing at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is combined with the impressive dining menu of the on-site restaurant, Shakespeare's Kitchen, which provides an excellent array of gourmet food and drinks. Patrons are also invited to bring their own picnic. Beyond the delectable dining options, there is a lovely cocktail area as well as a place to purchase keepsakes to take home with you. To take advantage of the entire evening, it is highly recommended that you come early and enjoy the pre-show festivities and to mingle and take in the stunning surrounding scenery.