Best Activities in Lake Tahoe

Biking at Spooner Summit- The Flume Trail, with sweeping Lake Tahoe views, lead from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake, past the Aspens and along the streams. Rest overlooking Lake Tahoe before your nine scenic miles down 1,800 feet.

Camp Richardson Corral- Owned and operated by the Ross family since 1934 they offer scenic guided horseback rides, steak dinner rides, summer hay wagon rides, back country pack trips, pony (gentle kids' horse) rides and winter sleigh rides. Located next to historic Camp Richardson.

Cruise on the Tahoe Queen— This 520 passenger ship, 1900's style, is the only authentic Mississippi paddle wheeler on Lake Tahoe. Choose the 2-1/2 hour Emerald Bay sightseeing cruise or the sunset dinner cruise.

Gaming- Try your luck at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Harveys Lake Tahoe, MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, Horizon or Lakeside Inn & Casino. All located on the Nevada state line.

Golf at Edgewood Tahoe- One of the most scenic golf courses in the world is set along the south shore of Lake Tahoe. This course offers a choice of four sets of tees, ranging in length from 5,567 yards to a demanding 7,555.

Heavenly Gondola- There is a 2.4-mile ride up the Heavenly Mountain with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. On your way up, stop at The Observation Deck– a 14,000 square-foot mid-station observation platform, located at 9,123 feet. Take the gondola to the top or hike on the Nevada side of the mountain. After your ride to the top of the Heavenly Gondola, lace up your shoes for a variety of hikes.

Heavenly Village Shops- Located at the base of the Heavenly Gondola and walking distance from South Lake Tahoe casinos. Shop, dine, catch a movie or try ice-skating or miniature golf at the seasonal outdoor pavilion.

Outdoor Concerts- MontBleu's 5,200-seat outdoor amphitheater summer concert series. Outdoor Arena at Harveys seats 7,000 plus.

Tallac Historic Site- Is home to the archeological remains of the Tallac Resort and three large summer estates built by wealthy San Franciscans. The 74-acre tract of land is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe.

Vikingsholm Castle- You need to be in good shape to walk the one mile down and one mile up hill to the castle. Built in 1929, Vikingsholm was the former summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Knight. Because the rugged mountain scenery and sheer granite cliffs surrounding Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords in Norway, Knight chose a Scandinavian design.

SPECIAL MENTIONS- The following were outside the South Tahoe area but deserve mention:

Ride the multi-million-dollar reconstruction of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad (24 mile roundtrip). The train leaves from the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City and runs along the west side of Mound House and across a spectacular railroad bridge over U.S. Hwy. 50, then picks up the historic, Comstock Era route. Watch for mines, silver ore veins and wild mustangs. F Street Depot Car– the Virginia City end of this line, with a free shuttle to downtown C Street. You'll have three hours to explore this authentic western town (think TV's Bonanza). May 25 through October 20.

Genoa Bar and Saloon, Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor- The building was built in 1853 and was well known as a "gentleman's saloon" back then. It has changed hands many times over the years and in 1963, the Bob and Betty Carver family who ran it until 2000, when they retired sold the bar to Willy and Cindy Webb.

The Victorian-era Virginia City sprang up as a boomtown on top of the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit discovered in the United States, in 1859. At its peak in the late 19th century it had over 15,000 residents. The mines' output declined after 1874, and as of the 2010 Census the population of Virginia City was about 855. Many locals work at the shops, museums, restaurants and saloons that cater to the 2 million visitors per year. Ride on a stagecoach, horse-drawn carriage or trolley, or tour a silver or gold mine. Virginia City is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.