Hello Hello!

As the summer is coming near it’s end, and we look forward to welcoming the fall days here in Lake Tahoe, I’ve been looking back on all the enjoyable things we did this summer. I realized how lucky we are to have had so many awesome things to do this year with the kids! My family has quit a few young children in it, and most of my close friends are also parents to kids of all ages. So when it comes right down to it, we pretty much know this little town like the back of our hands when it comes to finding new and exciting things to do as a family.

I find that a lot of tourist come to Lake Tahoe, and one of the first questions out of most parents mouths is “Is there anything to do with the kids?” and my answer is “YES YES YES!” there is PLENTY TO DO!!! There is in fact so much to do around here, that I’ve decided to share some of my favorites as a local. I hope that some of these things will go above and beyond the idea that all there is around here for the little ones is some casino arcades, and the hotel pool…So,here we go!

*keep in mind some activities are weather permitting (like most things in Tahoe) so be sure to check first to make sure these things are going on before planning them*

The first thing I think is fun for the whole family when the weather is a bit on the warmer side, the Tahoe Queen Family Fun Cruise With Tahoe Tessie! The paddle wheeler cruise usually leaves around 11am from the Ski Run Marina, and last for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Rich and I took our infant son and our 4 year old niece on the cruise and let me tell you, IT WAS A BLAST! You’re greeted on the marina dock by Lake Tahoe’s famous green Lake Monster, Tahoe Tessie. Be sure to bring your camera’s too cause this friendly monster loves having her pictures taken with the kids ;)! On the boat the kids can go to one of 3 levels to enjoy the cruise, and a great big open top deck, and a glass bottom viewing tank to see the Lake at it’s finest. You can order lunch off of a great menu with a large selection of food and drinks, including a yummy kids menu with something for everyone (and a full bar for the grown-ups)! Once the cruise takes off, the kids and parents are all welcome to travel down to the lower deck to hear Tahoe Tessie and friends read a story to the young passengers about some fun history on herself, and Lake Tahoe! My niece felt extra special because before the story begin we got her a stuffed Tessie Doll from the boats gift shop, and she loved holding it while the story went on. The best part is, if your kids enjoy the book, they sell that in the gift shop too…(yes, we got it LOL) After, the kids all join Tessie on the top deck of the boat for the “Tessa-rana” and Hokey poky dance! And just before the boat is due to dock, fresh baked cookies are served on the lower deck for everyone. The whole cruise was so much fun, and my niece still talks about it to this day. Even the baby had a great time watching the water from the tank, and being pushed around the boat in his stroller. The cruise usually runs from early May to mid September, so be sure to squeeze that in while you still can. Your kids will love it, and so will you! (children 2 and under are free too!)

Another exciting activity for all ages, is taking a Nifty Fifty Trolley Ride through the town down Highway 50. It’s a safe and enjoyable ride, stopping at all the popular spots! Go anywhere from Stateline Nevada to Camp Richardson Resort in California and back! The Trolley picks up at most of the major casinos, hotels, popular spots and resorts every hour and does round trips all day long. Some of the hotels even offer free tickets so be sure to ask the front desk or concierge when you check in. If your not staying in a hotel/resort, It’s only a couple of bucks for an all day pass (kids 3 under and usually free) :). We gathered up the whole family at Harvey’s Resort, with children ranging from 9 months to 7 years old, and all of us adults and got onto the old fashion cable car and had a really great time! The kids took turns ringing the Trolley’s bell, and waving to cars from their seats. We rode through the town and got off at beautiful Camp Richardson Resort and took a lunch break at the Beacon Bar and Grill’s outdoor patio. Camp Rich has all sorts of fun things you can do during the day as well from bike rentals, old time photos, to their old fashion ice cream parlor (the kids favorite). After spending a few hours our there, we hopped back on the Trolley and rode back to Harvey’s just taking in the scenery and enjoying the rest of the afternoon on the relaxing, yet exciting ride.  Every year the kids get excited when they see that the Trolley is up and running (weather permitting) and it never seems to become old or boring to them year after year. It’s a family favorite that I’ve been enjoying since I was a teenager myself when the Trolley was first built!

Year round fun can be found at Harrah’s Family Fun Center. OK, so I know I said there was more than just arcades…BUT…this one is way different then the rest of the “pop your coin in a machine” video arcades. Located downstairs in the Harrah’s Casino, It’s virtually fun for EVERY age. I’s way more kid and family friendly then some of the other ones that are usually crowded with teenagers and young adults. It features what Rich refers to as the “Giant hamster maze” LOL a structured soft-play facility with slides, mazes, climbing etc (think Chuck’E'Cheese, McDonalds play area type but MUCH Bigger and CLEAN!!!!!) There is even a smaller one just for younger children and toddlers. It’s a fun, and clean environment filled with all sorts of games, mini rides, fun house mirrors and much more! Connected to it is the arcade that has all the latest video games for the older kids, and carnival style games that reward you with tickets that can be redeemed for prizes before you go! When your done, head over to the American River Cafe’, located right next to the fun center, and grab a bite to eat, your kids will love watching the live fish swim down the river flowing through the entire restaurant while they dine, and the menu is fantastic! This is an excellent place to take the family during the evenings or cooler days on your visit!

My personal favorite is the Tallac Historical site. It’s located just past Camp Richardson in the California side of Tahoe. It’s what some people consider to be the most beautiful part of the lake. It’s home to the Valhalla Arts and Music Festival, the Baldwin Museum, Valhalla boat house theater, and the famous Pope Estate! It’s SO MUCH FUN! The kids enjoy walking around the different paths and seeing the charming cabins and houses that once held 3 of the bay area’s most rich and elite families on their vacations. It was a retreat for the wealthy and famous, and considered to be the finest facilities in Lake Tahoe over a century ago. They can pear inside everything from the old nanny’s quarters to the old fashion bath houses, and the best part is, everything is decorated just as it was back in it’s day. You can take a walk down to the shore of the beach, and even explore some of the cabins that hold today’s local artist at work.Not a year goes by that we don’t take a day trip out there, it really takes you back to a wonderful time. There’s even tours available!

Another fun one is The Stream Profile Chamber at Taylor Creek. I’ve been enjoying this one since I was in grade school! It gives visitors an idea of what it would be like to go below the water into the deep and quit interesting creek. A little path leads you down a small little cave like tunnel that has HUGE viewing windows showing off all of the creeks life form. The windows fade into a large mural wrapped around the tunnel walls that show pictures of all the fish etc in the tank, and it’s fun for adults and children to try to point out certain things through the glass. Kids enjoy being under ground with the fish, and often times there is a stand set up outside the viewing area with coloring books for the kids at no cost It’s a nice walk on the path to the creek and beyond.

Those are just a few of my favorites for the summer and early fall months in Tahoe, I hope these ideas will be just as enjoyable for you and your family! Keep an eye out for some of the Heff’s favorite Winter fun ideas too!!!