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Trav L. Moore
Trav L. Moore and his priceLESS peeps are eager to offer you their two cents on where to go and what to do to find the most fun for the least funds.
Moore Wildly Fun Things to Do on the Cheap Around Tahoe
Want to take advantage of Tahoe’s natural beauty without a price hike? Read these Trav Tips on what not to miss.
Choo-choo Choose Your Adventure
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Keep your vacation budget on track. Take your kids to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City for a day they’ll never forget. Inside this little-train-museum-that-could, you’ll find an array of historic trains, cabooses, passenger cars, and railway cars to explore—many obtained from Hollywood studios, where they were featured in old cowboy movies and popular TV westerns. You’ll also find the museum’s local curators eager to stoke your enthusiasm with stories and knowledge about these iron horses of the past. And if you’re lucky enough to be there when one of the restored steam engines is rolling out of the station, make sure to get your ticket punched. Admission is free for kids aged 17 and under.
Go back in time without spending a dime. Explore the Tallac Historic site. The 150-acre lakefront property, known a hundred years ago as the "Grandest Resort in the World," showcases Tahoe’s long-ago “Era of Opulence” when several prominent San Francisco families vacationed here in the late 1800s. Today, one can leisurely stroll through the site’s 20 historic structures dating from 1894 to 1923 while enjoying the gardens, gazebo, and pond with its trickling waterfall. You can also participate in family activities each Wednesday in July and in August during Heritage Days.
Take in a royal view. Discover Lake Tahoe’s hidden castle, Vikingsholm. Located at the head of Emerald Bay, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the United States and is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture anywhere in the world. Built in 1929, the property includes 232 acres of Tahoe’s most beautiful vistas, the only island in Lake Tahoe, and the only waterfall that flows directly into the lake. It’s a great destination for a day out sightseeing, hiking, and Instagramming. It’s free for kids under seven and $12 for visitors aged 7-17.
Get ghosted when you take the family on a Washoe Club Ghost Tour. This VIP hangout of the 1860s had quite the reputation for boozy business talk and rowdy behavior. Today, this space is still home to a working bar said to be haunted by an attractive blonde apparition known as the "Lady in Blue," and an old-time prospector who seems determined to snatch unattended drinks. The 40-minute guided tour covers all three floors and things like the disappearing drinks, mysteriously locking doors, and tipping barstools that are part of the bar's paranormal activities. Admission is $5 for visitors aged 16 and under.
Rock it
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Make them go bananas. Take the fam on a short hike up to Monkey Rock (it’s 2.6 miles out and back) and watch them go ape over the sight of a crazy gorilla-shaped rock formation and the jaw-dropping view of Lake Tahoe that surrounds it. Park admission is $2 per person.
Where to next? Gather your squad and head to The Way It Was Museum for a fascinating look into what life was like in Virginia City during the Gold Rush. The eclectic collection that chronicles the mining boom includes everything from ore wagons and prospector tools to guns and whiskey bottles. There are tons of rare photos, vintage artifacts, and age-old relics to see. Admission is $5.
Happy Trails
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Pony up for some fun and take the family to the Camp Richardson Corral, where gentle horses led by wranglers do five-minute loops from June through Labor Day. It's the perfect way for pint-sized riders to make memories. Reservations are required, and rides cost $15.
Say "cheers" on the cheap. Have the kids drink in the view while you sip on one of the handcrafted brews found along the Beer and Ale Trails of Lake Tahoe. Just like the physical outdoor trails normally taken around “Big Blue,” these offer their own spirited adventure with unique and interesting flavor profiles, from European-style beers to hoppy American interpretations.
What’s a vacation without a chaser of mini golf? Challenge your kids to a fun-filled game right here at our Tahoe Ridge Mini Golf Course. Stop by the recreation desk to sign up and check out equipment for your time on the green.
There you have it. Proof big fun doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. But make no mistake—this is only a start. There are plenty more ways to create priceLESS vacation memories in and around Tahoe.
Any information provided is solely as a courtesy and is not due to compensation or business partnerships with Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Prices subject to change.