We're in Tahoe and have a free day tomorrow. Is Bodie worth driving almost 7 hours round - trip in one day? If we go, how long should we plan to be there?

Bodie is interesting and unique but if you're new to the area I would suggest Virginia City instead...much closer to Tahoe and equally historic, if a little kitschy. Also, Donner Lake State Park is worth a visit.

We're not new to the area - been in the Bay Area nearly 40 years, and for some reason, have just missed Bodie! (we've been to Virginia City, but maybe we'll head over to Donner Lake State Park...thanks)

Carson City has an interesting muesum, that I first went to as a child. I went back there 2 years ago, and they're added a whole section on 'antique' slot machines. Fairly inexpensive.

Is it time for that old restaurant joke? Donner party of 49. Donner party of 48, etc....

Sf- not worth a round trip. Would hit Bodie on my way to somewhere else. Have you done the Thunderbird Lodge tour?

Bodie is great. But MichelleY is right, it is too far/too long for a day trip.

Thunderbird Lodge, or one of the catamaran/sailing cruises would be fun.

http://www.tahoecruises.com/cruises/...ruises-a-tours

Not only is it not worth it for a day trip but if you don't get there early it's so hot there. Not alot of shade there. I suggest a really early am arrival in Bodie. Same for Mono lake.

You might consider driving to the other - bigger lake in the area - that most people don't even know about - Pyramid Lake, just north of Reno.

When the sun sets - it's incredibly beautiful - some say even spiritual. http://tinyurl.com/7b8u2me

Pyramid Lake ain't all that. It's very dry and barren and it is a lot of work for a brief sunset.

I liked Carson City's Museum. It's in the old Carson City Mint building. They used to have a great mining display that included a fun little "mine tour". Eat at Adele's Restaurant. It's just a couple of blocks north of the museum and is incredible. http://www.adelesrestaurantandlounge.com/

And besides, it ain't any sort of secret. >>that most people don't even know about

Thanks all. We ended up in Nevada City, poking around, in and out of stores,ooling at all the historic buildings in the commercial area, Victorian houses, reading every plaque on every building plus the various gold mining and hydroelectric equipment around town, had an excellent lunch at South Pine Cafe and headed back. Didn't even do Empire Mines - another time!

Looking, not "ooling"!

Ooh -- I really like South Pine for a casual lunch. If you get back up that way, they have another location in Grass Valley

I know - I checked it on Yelp!