Lake Tahoe vs Reno
Jul 8th, 2017, 02:40 PM
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Lake Tahoe vs Reno
Okay guys, this vacation has taken many twists and turns. I have posted in several different forums asking advice on different areas, but my husband and I have finally decided on Nevada for a September week long vacation. The decision is between Reno and Lake Tahoe. The hubs is interested in beautiful scenery and water. And we are both interested in culture as well...museums, wonderful eateries, nightlife, tours maybe. Our budget is a max of $1000 for travel and lodging for the both of us. I have seen some fantastic deals on Orbitz and Expedia, but I'm not sure which city would suit our needs best. We are definitely not skiers, and I've read that South Lake Tahoe is beautiful. Which would you prefer for a budget minded trip that will give us both the scenery and entertainment options we desire? Where would you stay in either location? TIA
Jul 8th, 2017, 03:17 PM
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I agree with everything Janis said, and add that South Lake Tahoe/Stateline, the area where the hotel's and casinos are, isn't pretty at all, but the lake is gorgeous and the drives outside of SLT, both easterly and westerly ARE gorgeous.
Jul 8th, 2017, 03:31 PM
#4
Places to look for accommodations include:
South Lake Tahoe (the least 'pretty' part of the Tahoe basin but some nice beaches, the gondola and some budget accommodations. My least favorite section - but if you choose well there are some nice place to stay. Most accommodations except for the 4 large casino hotels are in California.
All along the west shore - in CA - there are scattered communities and motels.
Tahoe City - all the way 'kitty corner' across the lake from SLT in California
Kings Beach - the very northern end. In CA. Several budget, lakeside motels. Between Tahoe City and Kings beach are several small communities some of which have budget accommodations.
Incline Village - in Nevada on the far northeast 'corner' of the lake. An expensive Hyatt but also some non-lakeside motels which are much cheaper.
There are also tons of vacation rentals all around the Lake - in high season some can be VERY expensive, but in Sept you could find some real bargains.
South Lake Tahoe (the least 'pretty' part of the Tahoe basin but some nice beaches, the gondola and some budget accommodations. My least favorite section - but if you choose well there are some nice place to stay. Most accommodations except for the 4 large casino hotels are in California.
All along the west shore - in CA - there are scattered communities and motels.
Tahoe City - all the way 'kitty corner' across the lake from SLT in California
Kings Beach - the very northern end. In CA. Several budget, lakeside motels. Between Tahoe City and Kings beach are several small communities some of which have budget accommodations.
Incline Village - in Nevada on the far northeast 'corner' of the lake. An expensive Hyatt but also some non-lakeside motels which are much cheaper.
There are also tons of vacation rentals all around the Lake - in high season some can be VERY expensive, but in Sept you could find some real bargains.
Jul 8th, 2017, 04:08 PM
#5
"South Lake Tahoe/Stateline, the area where the hotel's and casinos are, isn't pretty at all..."
Think strip mall. I think you're making a big mistake though maybe you'll do fine if you have nothing to compare. From your previous post, Santa Fe is wonderful in all the ways you mention, except water but with spectacular landscape to make him forget he ever wanted it. Neither of these holds a candle to northern New Mexico though, of course, the lake is beautiful. But you can't stay in the lake and could be doomed to the tackiest of places & pass-times humans have devised. If you must, go to North Shore (but forget culture).
Think strip mall. I think you're making a big mistake though maybe you'll do fine if you have nothing to compare. From your previous post, Santa Fe is wonderful in all the ways you mention, except water but with spectacular landscape to make him forget he ever wanted it. Neither of these holds a candle to northern New Mexico though, of course, the lake is beautiful. But you can't stay in the lake and could be doomed to the tackiest of places & pass-times humans have devised. If you must, go to North Shore (but forget culture).
Jul 8th, 2017, 04:46 PM
#7
Museums, galleries of all kinds, restaurants, shopping, beautiful historic buildings, Hispanic & Native American culture - and that's all within a few blocks' radius of the town center and the area all around it is simply stunning, both public & private buildings, from grand to humble. There's simply no place like it.
Wonderful day trips all around, Taos among others, if you decide you want to venture into the countryside. But if you stay in town you need not ever get into your car to have more than you can see in a few days and go for walks in quiet village-like neighborhoods near the center. I've been all over the world and Santa Fe is one-of-a-kind.
Wonderful day trips all around, Taos among others, if you decide you want to venture into the countryside. But if you stay in town you need not ever get into your car to have more than you can see in a few days and go for walks in quiet village-like neighborhoods near the center. I've been all over the world and Santa Fe is one-of-a-kind.
Jul 8th, 2017, 05:03 PM
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Jul 8th, 2017, 06:07 PM
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Tahoe/Reno
Definitely spend at least one full day in Reno for a show and just some casino action. While there, drive to historic and restored ghost town of Virgina City where mining silver was king. Visit their museum to understand the extent of mining in that area. They also have tours including the cemetery. At the south end of town is an excellent rib BBQ. Truckee River passes through the center of Reno where kayaking is a sport. Or just walk the river trail.
http://visitvirginiacitynv.com/
Tahoe - north and south
Drive the west side to see the famous Emerald Bay found on calendars, advertising, etc.
North Side - From Tahoe City, you can rent a raft and raft down Truckee River a few miles and have lunch at the end. Also visit squaw valley ski resort where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. Ride the scenic tram to the top and have lunch. They were open for skiing until 4 July.
http://squawalpine.com/ Click on 'Events and Things to do' tab.
South side - casino action again (Just like Reno). However, a gondola ride to the top offers superb views of Lake Tahoe.
http://www.skiheavenly.com/activitie...dola+Rides.axd
Lodging. Weekend is tourist time and expensive. Internet search all casino hotels both north/south side.
http://www.tahoeactivities.com/north...tahoe-casinos/
South shore is infested with motels, hotels and casinos.
Vaga
Definitely spend at least one full day in Reno for a show and just some casino action. While there, drive to historic and restored ghost town of Virgina City where mining silver was king. Visit their museum to understand the extent of mining in that area. They also have tours including the cemetery. At the south end of town is an excellent rib BBQ. Truckee River passes through the center of Reno where kayaking is a sport. Or just walk the river trail.
http://visitvirginiacitynv.com/
Tahoe - north and south
Drive the west side to see the famous Emerald Bay found on calendars, advertising, etc.
North Side - From Tahoe City, you can rent a raft and raft down Truckee River a few miles and have lunch at the end. Also visit squaw valley ski resort where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. Ride the scenic tram to the top and have lunch. They were open for skiing until 4 July.
http://squawalpine.com/ Click on 'Events and Things to do' tab.
South side - casino action again (Just like Reno). However, a gondola ride to the top offers superb views of Lake Tahoe.
http://www.skiheavenly.com/activitie...dola+Rides.axd
Lodging. Weekend is tourist time and expensive. Internet search all casino hotels both north/south side.
http://www.tahoeactivities.com/north...tahoe-casinos/
South shore is infested with motels, hotels and casinos.
Vaga
Jul 8th, 2017, 06:23 PM
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Lake Tahoe is splendid. Reno has the NV Museum of Art and the wonderful National Automobile Museum. Then there is Virginia City to explore.
Santa Fe is OK, but we found the number of tour buses oppressive, in fact dreadful.
Santa Fe is OK, but we found the number of tour buses oppressive, in fact dreadful.
Jul 10th, 2017, 07:47 AM
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We spent a week last September on the north shore of Tahoe (in Tahoe Vista specifically) and loved it. But we specifically wanted a hiking/kayaking vacation. We did not go to the south shore; casinoes aren't our thing. September seemed like a great time to be there. The crowds weren't horrible and the weather was really nice. Warm during the day and cool at night.
We only drove through enough of Reno to get from the airport to the Mt. Rose Highway so I can't speak to whether it would be a worthwhile destination on its own.
We only drove through enough of Reno to get from the airport to the Mt. Rose Highway so I can't speak to whether it would be a worthwhile destination on its own.
Jul 10th, 2017, 10:07 AM
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I love Lake Tahoe to go skiing, I go every year or two, it's one of my favorite mountains.
But you don't go to Lake Tahoe or Reno for culture. I have only flown in/out of Reno, but I can't imagine picking Reno as a city for culture, food or nightlife or tours, for that matter.
The area isn't "dreadful", it's just not an area suitable for what you want. You can't ski in September, anyway, so that part is irrelevant.
I agree with Santa Fe, or many other places, actually, just not Nevada. Have no idea how it would fit into your budget. But you could stay cheaply in some podunk town around there and with a car, visit various Indian ruins, see the scenery which is beautiful, and visit Santa Fe by the day, if you want. I imagine even on the outskirts of SF, cheaper lodging can be found.
Even Durango would have a lot more to offer than Nevada. For a week, you could fly in/out of ABQ, and spend a couple days in Santa Fe and a couple in Durango, something like that (and a couple in Albuquerque which isn't that expensive). The San Juan mountains near DUrango are beautiful.
But you don't go to Lake Tahoe or Reno for culture. I have only flown in/out of Reno, but I can't imagine picking Reno as a city for culture, food or nightlife or tours, for that matter.
The area isn't "dreadful", it's just not an area suitable for what you want. You can't ski in September, anyway, so that part is irrelevant.
I agree with Santa Fe, or many other places, actually, just not Nevada. Have no idea how it would fit into your budget. But you could stay cheaply in some podunk town around there and with a car, visit various Indian ruins, see the scenery which is beautiful, and visit Santa Fe by the day, if you want. I imagine even on the outskirts of SF, cheaper lodging can be found.
Even Durango would have a lot more to offer than Nevada. For a week, you could fly in/out of ABQ, and spend a couple days in Santa Fe and a couple in Durango, something like that (and a couple in Albuquerque which isn't that expensive). The San Juan mountains near DUrango are beautiful.
