While the lake is a sight to see in and of itself, Lake Tahoe attractions go beyond just the water. The area’s rich environment influences the majority of Lake Tahoe attractions like hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, sunbathing, paddleboarding and more. Enjoy the great outdoors by visiting South Lake Tahoe’s attractions, including state parks, campgrounds suitable for both summer and winter weather or historic homes. Or let the famous Christmas carol come alive as you go on a sleigh ride through the snow. While the area’s attractions encourage a sense of athleticism, you don’t have to be planning your next 5K to appreciate them. You’ll find the area’s museums, visual arts and beaches are the kind of relaxed fun some visitors hope to find during vacations.
Lake Tahoe Attractions in Town
Lake Tahoe attractions also embrace the area’s history. Visit the Truckee attraction where the infamous Donner party is rumored to have fallen to cannibalism. You can also check out one of Palisades Tahoe's attractions, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and view the same slopes that welcomed the world’s great athletes decades ago. It might inspire you to channel your inner Heidi Beibl (the 1960 Winter Olympic Women’s Downhill Skiing gold medalist) as you swoosh down nearby mountains.
If you’re in the mood for some visual entertainment, you can attend festivals in Incline Village that will delight the English and history nerds in your group. Tahoe City’s attractions also feature a variety of fun on the beach, including concerts and movies.
The summer seasons are prime time to take advantage of the main attraction: Lake Tahoe! All the towns offer tours for different areas in the Tahoe Basin. After being educated about the lake, dive in — we mean quite literally too — to all it has to offer. Kings Beach attractions let you sign up for a fishing excursion to hook some trout or explore every beach.
Check out the listings below to see what Lake Tahoe attractions will pique your interest during your visit.
Lake Tahoe Attractions by Area
South Lake Tahoe | Truckee | Tahoe City & West Shore | Palisades Tahoe
Kings Beach & North Shore | Incline Village & Crystal Bay
Lake Tahoe Attractions by Category
Incline Village & Crystal Bay Historical Society is a source of fascinating information on the area. The society traces local history from the early...read more
Lake Tahoe has only one outflow – the Truckee River. And for 25 years IRIE Rafting Company has given visitors a close-up view of the waterway as well as the...read more
James Harold Galleries is a culmination of appreciation for the art of painting. Representing a wide spectrum of artists, James Harold Galleries is an...read more
KidZone is a hands-on children's museum in the heart of the High Sierra. The space is designed for kids younger than 8 years old to learn and share...read more
If your dog is your best friend, Kiva Beach is for you. Kiva Beach, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is one of the few...read more
Knits and Knots Tahoe is a small local yarn shop located inside the Wildwood Makers Market, carrying different kinds of yarns as well as knitting and...read more
Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) is known to be a breeding ground for famous pro skiers. A few that have come from this area include Olympians Julia...read more
As soon as the sun sets, South Lake Tahoe kicks off its Labor Day celebration with a patriotic fireworks display set over the water. A simultaneous musical...read more
Lake Forest Beach is a free day-use park within the neighborhood of Lake Forest Glen, a few miles outside of Tahoe City. The beach is a secluded, sandy and...read more
The south and east shores of Lake Tahoe span two different states and three different counties and exhibit physical...read more
Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the United States (and the entire world at its elevation of 6,228 feet). The bottom depth is measured at 1,645 feet...read more
The first inhabitants of Lake Tahoe were the semi-nomadic Washoe Indians who would migrate to the lake when the snow started to melt. The men would...read more
