Museums

There are a wide variety of museums in the Tahoe region and in neighboring Reno and Carson City. Discover the region’s history at Donner Emigrant Trail Museum near Truckee, Gatekeepers Museum in Tahoe City, and Lake Tahoe Historical Museum in South Lake Tahoe.

For a unique and entertaining look at the Lake Tahoe environment, visit the interactive Tahoe Science Center on the first floor of University of California Davis’ Tahoe Environmental Research Center in Incline Village. Exhibits are open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with guided tours at 11 am and 12:30 pm that include entertaining 3-D movies.

“Down mountain” in Carson City find both the Nevada Museum and Nevada Railroad Museum. Historic Virginia City, Nevada has numerous museums and attractions. For exciting art and design, head to Reno and the Nevada Museum of Art and National Auto Museum.

Shopping

Boutiques, art galleries, gift and souvenirs shops can be found in many Tahoe communities. For sidewalks kept clear of snow leading to multiple shops, and with convenient parking, head to Heavenly Village/Stateline, Tahoe City, Incline Center, or Kings Beach. Downtown Truckee has a fun selection of unique shops in its historic buildings, but parking can be challenging on busy winter days. Turn to “Directory,” page 26 for more information.

More Indoor Fun

Movie theatres with daily showings can be found in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City and Northstar California. Casinos at Stateline and Crystal Bay, Nevada, have free entertainment and arcade games, as well as 24-hour gambling. Public libraries are open with limited hours in South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City and Truckee.