Group Travel Guide: Reno and Lake Tahoe
Looking for a last minute Labor Day trip? How about an adventurous guys trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe?
Reno and Lake Tahoe has a tremendous amount of activities that range from club parties to paddle boarding on the lake. Although very different cities, combined in a trip, they offer a unique experience. For New Yorkers, JetBlue recently announced their direct flights to Reno/Lake Tahoe. This flight is a game changer for quick access to an outdoorsy west coast trip. Also, what’s so great about the trip is that it is super cheap!
Here are our recommendations of things to do in both Reno and Lake Tahoe:
RENO
Stay
Grand Sierra Resort
This resort gives you the Las Vegas experience without all the fuss and pretention. You will find great dining and an awesome nightclub called LEX. When traveling with friends, I recommend staying in the Grand Presidential Suite. Enjoy the plush full living room, dining room and master suite.
https://www.grandsierraresort.com/
Eat
Louis Basque Corner
Louis and Lorraine Erreguible opened Louis’ Basque Corner in 1967 as a testament to their Basque heritage. Louis’ Basque Corner continues this tradition with its family-style seating, traditional menu, and servers outfitted in authentic Basque costumes. A must try is the famous “Picon Punch”! I don’t know what’s in it, but it is STRONG. Drink slowly my friends. If you are looking for private dining, check out the “Upstairs”. Once boarding for Basque workers, is now a bar and banquet hall.
Discover
National Automobile Museum
The National Automobile Museum has everything a serious automobile fan would love. The collection is filled with vintage cars that would probably make your dad weep at their beauty. Get this, the cars are from the Harrah Collection. Talk about a collector! Goals everyone, goals!
Virginia City 
Once a vital settlement between Denver and San Francisco, Virginia City influenced the entire country. During its boomtime, Virginia CIty’s mining proceeds amounted to millions of dollars, equaling billions today. Every inch of the picturesque Victorian-era town, celebrates it’s colorful history. Take a stroll on the authentic boardwalk and visit the saloons and shops. One of the best things to do while in Virginia City is to take the Virginia and Truckee Railroad train ride for a historic trip around the gold mines. For an authentic gold mine tour, visit Ponderosa Saloon and Gold Mine.
http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/
Play
LEX Nightclub 
Talk about a TURN UP! This place gives you all the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas nightclub, minus the douche baggery. Go here to dance to the hottest worldwide known DJs or go during happy hour for a chill lounge experience. http://www.lexnightclub.com/ The Depot Craft Brewing Distillery 
What was once an old train station is now a beautiful brewery and restaurant.
LAKE TAHOE
Stay
MontBleu Resort 
Feel like Don Draper in the Presidential Suite at MontBleu. Hands down, the interior of the suite had me as soon as I opened the door. The sheer size and decor was amazing.
http://www.montbleuresort.com/
Basecamp Hotel 
Looking for a cool, young and trendy hotel? Check out Base Camp. This artsy, hipster chic hotel is a great place to stay to meet other young, urban dwellers. http://www.basecamphotels.com/
Eat
19 Kitchen @ Harvey’s Casino
Cycling through Lake Tahoe will certainly work up an appetite. Dinner with an amazing view is what you will get at 19 Kitchen. The food is absolutely delicious and the view of the lake is breathtaking. This is the perfect pre-turn up dinner spot.
https://www.caesars.com/harveys-tahoe/restaurants/19-kitchen-bar
Basecamp Pizza @ Heavenly Village 
Hands down the best pizza spot in South Lake Tahoe!
Edgewood Tahoe Resort 
For the golfers, Edgewood Tahoe Resort is the best place to go for a round of golf and great dinner. The lush setting makes for a terrific place to watch the sunset on the lake after a couple of cocktails.
http://www.edgewood-tahoe.com/
Ski Run Marina 
http://www.skirunmarina.com/
Discover
Thunderbird Lodge 
Thunderbird Yacht – 75th Anniversary. Clocked at 70mph. #thunderbirdyacht #yacht #laketahoe #vintage #gildedage #boat #jetblueRNO A photo posted by Phaon (@phaon) on
If Jay Gatsby lived in Lake Tahoe, he would have lived at the Thunderbird Lodge. This sprawling property could have also easily been in a 007 movie, with its secret underground pathways, opium rooms and speed boat. What was once the home George Whittell, Jr., is now a tour destination for those who want to take a peek into the 1930’s lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Tahoe Queen – Historic Paddle Wheel Boat Ride 
The Tahoe Queen and the M.S. Dixie II provide a unique perspective of the famous Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay is a national state park that includes Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States.. To get the best out of the cruise, take the sunset cruise.
http://www.zephyrcove.com/tahoequeen.aspx
Play
Home to world-class casinos that are refreshingly free of Vegas-style glitz, Tahoe South is the place to go. You may feel slightly virtuous after spending the day in the great outdoors, so you have to undo that feeling and these two casinos are the perfect places to go.
Harrah’s Casino
https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe/hotel
Harvey’s Casino
https://www.caesars.com/harveys-tahoe
Peek Nightclub (Harrah’s Casino)
Cabo Wabo Cantina (Harvey’s Casino)
This play feels like your favorite local bar. The design and décor is minimal, but who needs that when the music is pumping and the drinks are flowing? This is the perfect alternative to the large nightclubs. Just be careful, the drinks are priced extremely well, so you will be compelled to drink more. Trust me, don’t over do it! I’m speaking from experience…
http://www.cabowabocantina.com/tahoe/
Standup Paddle Boarding with South Tahoe SUP
You can’t go to Lake Tahoe without taking a dip in the water. Visit SUP to rent a stand-up paddleboard to take out on the water for a morning or afternoon workout. For the brave, try yoga on the board. It’s a unique and calming experience.
http://southtahoesup.com/rentals/
Heavenly Mountain Resort
High above the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort is one of the most unique mountain resorts on the planet. Combining 4,800 acres of off-the-grid terrain and incredible views of Lake Tahoe with high-octane, non-stop nightlife, Heavenly offers a high-energy resort experience like no other. Year-round this resort continues to offer thrilling activities such as the these for the summer: zip line, tree canopy tours, an alpine coaster, mountain bike park, multi-use trails, rope course and educational tours.
Reno and Lake Tahoe are great quick getaway destinations for anyone looking to do something outside of the norm.
*If you go in December, make sure to check out the re-opening of the legendary Cal-Neva Resort. There is so much history behind this resort. The likes of Marilyn Monroe and The Rat Pack performed here.
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