Historical Sites & Tours

The Thunderbird Lodge
Open for tours June-September
East Shore of Lake Tahoe
1-800-GO-NORTH
One of the most stunning pieces of Lake Tahoe's history is the secluded Thunderbird Lodge. The eccentric San Francisco real estate magnate, George Whittell, built this magnificent Tudor Revival summer estate between 1936 and 1939. Located on Nevada's eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, the property consists of a main lodge surrounded by three cottages, a card house, a boathouse, an elephant house, a lighthouse, three garages, and a gatehouse all nestled in a high desert pine forest.

Donner Memorial Park, Museum and Pioneer Monument

Open 9-4 everyday

Donner Pass Rd., Truckee

(530) 582-7892

Donner Memorial State Park, with the Emigrant Museum and Pioneer Monument, commemorates the infamous 1846 Donner Party that was stranded for six winter months at Donner Lake during their attempt to reach the Pacific Coast. The park offers self-guided nature trails and the museum, as well as a half-hour movie on the Donner Party that plays hourly on the hour.

Gatekeepers Cabin & Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum
Open daily throughout the summer
West Lake Blvd at Fanny Bridge, Tahoe City
(530) 583-1762