Plan Your Visit

Attractions & Sights

The viewpoints, landmarks and stories that turn a Tahoe drive into a destination — history, scenery and a little Rat Pack glamour.

Points of Interest

Lake Tahoe's Must-See Sights

Beyond the beaches and trails, these are the landmarks worth building a day around.

Emerald Bay & Vikingsholm

Tahoe's most photographed view — a glacial bay with the lake's only island, and a 1929 Scandinavian mansion at the water's edge.

LocationWest Shore
Best ForPhotos, views, history
SeasonYear-round; tours summer only
Drive from Incline~1.5 hours

Cave Rock

A dramatic volcanic outcrop on the East Shore — sacred to the Washoe Tribe, tunneled by the highway, and stunning to explore.

LocationEast Shore
Best ForCultural sites, views, heritage
AccessParking pullout on Hwy 50
Drive from Incline~20 minutes

Thunderbird Lodge

A 1930s stone estate on the East Shore with a secret tunnel and legendary wooden yacht — tour by reservation from Incline.

LocationEast Shore, Glenbrook
Best ForHistory, guided tours, boats
Tour SeasonMay through October
Drive from Incline~15 minutes

Heavenly Gondola

Ride to a 9,100-ft observation deck for the single most expansive view of the entire lake — summer and winter.

LocationSouth Lake Tahoe
Best ForViews, families, casual visitors
SeasonYear-round
Drive from Incline~1.5 hours

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

Professional theater in a beach amphitheater at Sand Harbor — July and August bring classics with the lake as backdrop.

LocationSand Harbor, East Shore
Best ForTheater, summer evenings, special events
SeasonJuly–August
Drive from Incline~5 minutes

Crystal Bay

The North Shore's state-line corner where vintage casinos and Rat Pack history meet some of the best lake views.

LocationNorth Shore, CA/NV line
Best ForGaming, history, dining, views
SeasonYear-round
Drive from Incline~30 minutes

Donner Memorial State Park

The sobering and fascinating story of the Donner Party, an excellent museum, and the pretty shoreline of Donner Lake.

LocationTruckee, north of lake
Best ForHistory, museum, beach, hiking
SeasonYear-round; museum summers
Drive from Incline~1 hour
See the lake from the road: The 72-mile drive around Lake Tahoe is an attraction in itself. Allow a full unhurried day, go counter-clockwise for the best pullouts, and start early — parking at Emerald Bay and the popular overlooks fills by mid-morning all summer.
Map Out the Sights

Turn the Highlights Into a Route

String these stops together with beaches, trails and meals into one great Tahoe itinerary.

Plan Your Vacation