• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Amazon
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
How many of you have heard you will no longer be a How many of you have heard you will no longer be able to travel once you have kids? I find most people who say these things don’t even have kids or if they do they have never traveled with their kids!

I’m not really into counting countries and we enjoy visiting places more than once, seeing the beauty all over the US and right in our state too. You don’t have to travel far to give your kids amazing experiences but you can also take them wherever you want. Y’all know my motto, if kids live there kids can visit!! 

Where have you been that people said you were crazy for taking your kids (or your parents for taking you) but you were so glad you didn’t listen to them and went anyway.

#travellingwithkids #familytravel
Everything you need to know about visiting Chichen Everything you need to know about visiting Chichen Itza, one of the 7 Wonders of the World (SAVE + SHARE this post).

Chichen Itza is 2.5 hours from Cancun, 2 hours from Playa del Carmen, and 90 minutes from both Tulum and Merida.

You can get here by renting a car, booking a private tour on Airbnb Experiences like we did, coming on a tour bus or for budget travelers taking the ADO bus. 

Most tours from Cancun are all day long, leaving as early as 7/8 am and as late as 9 pm drop off. This is because you’ll visit cenotes outside of Chichen Itza and the town of Valladolid. Since we only had 4 days in Cancun we didn’t want to spend a full day on the road but also really wanted to visit so booking private transportation allowed us to skip all the other stops and just go there and back. We were picked up at 9 and back at the hotel by 4 so we could have a relaxing evening.

Current admission is $533 Mexican pesos for adults, $80 for kids 3-12 and free for kids under 3. That’s about $30 US for adults and $5 for kids.

Once inside there is the main attraction that everyone comes to see but there are also other Mayan dwellings and a cenote. I recommend coming with a guide or hiring an official guide once on site so they can give you information on the history.

Have you been to any of the 7 Wonders? If so, which one(s)?

Hubby and I climbed the Great Wall of China together in 2007, Jordyn, James and I have been to the Colosseum in Rome, the girls and I have been to Petra and we all visited Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Chichen Itza and the Great Pyramids of Giza together!

#chichenitza #7wondersoftheworld
Today is the last day of school and I could not be Today is the last day of school and I could not be more proud of Jordyn! Look at all those awards she racked up at her end of the year ceremony. She’s reading 3 grade levels above hers, was only 9 points away from a perfect score on her state reading test and made the Honor Roll every quarter of the year. It’s time to celebrate, let summer begin!!!
We’ve been to 34 states and while we haven’t v We’ve been to 34 states and while we haven’t visited them all yet these are 4 states you should consider visiting this summer. (SAVE + SHARE this list for inspo)

📍Idaho- Last year we explored Southern Idaho and it blew us away. City of Rocks National Reserve, Kayak to Shoshone Falls, white water rafting, and walking behind Perrine Coulee Waterfall are musts!

📍Alaska- We visited the South East part of Alaska, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan and WOW talk about stunning. You’ll love exploring ice caves, walking on glaciers, canoeing through ice bergs, seeing the volcano and hopefully spotting some bears!

📍Utah- From the famous national parks like Zion and Bryce to the lesser known areas like Kanab, Utah is stunning. You can’t miss sand boarding through Coral Pink Sand Dunes and ATVing through the gorgeous landscape.

📍California- Where else can you surf and ski/snowboard in the same day? California has the most national parks in any state so you know the beauty is beyond amazing. Having lived there for 3 years I’ve explored so many cities and there is something for everyone!!

Would you like me to share my website link for our itineraries for each of these trips in stories? Have you been to any of these? Which state intrigues you the most from this list? What city/state would you like to see us cover?

#visittheusa #bucketlisttrip #travellingwithkids
We have been traveling with our girls since they w We have been traveling with our girls since they were 6 weeks old. Is traveling with kids always easy? Nope! Are there added costs to traveling with kids? Yes! But having status with World of Hyatt has helped elevate our travels, making things a little easier and saving us money, here’s how (SAVE + SHARE this post).

1. Being a family of 4 standard hotel rooms can be kind of cramped. Having status with World of Hyatt means we’re eligible for free upgrades when available including suites as a Globalist.

2. Eating out for breakfast everyday on a vacation starts to add up really quickly. As a Globalist we get free breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children.

3. At hotels with club access Globalists also get free access which includes drinks and snacks, the perfect way to hold kids over until dinner without spending money.

4. I don’t know who decided 9 or 10am was a good time for check-out, hello we’re on vacation, we want to sleep in! Having status with World of Hyatt means you qualify for late check out at 2pm or 4pm depending on your level of status. So whether you sleep in, hit the pool or use the other amenities at the hotel you can enjoy a little longer. It especially helps us when we have flights later in the day.

5. After paying for our hotel room we hate having added fees. Thankfully when you have Globalist status with World of Hyatt resort fees are waived on free night awards and/or eligible rates.

6. Free hotel nights! There is nothing like booking a hotel and not paying a penny! Having joined World of Hyatt we rack up points (on more than just stays) and the higher your status, the more points you earn to get free stays faster.

7. As World of Hyatt members we even earn American Airlines miles on our Hyatt stays, getting us free flights faster to save even more money!

From being more comfortable to finding more ways to earn, you’re missing out if you haven’t joined World of Hyatt!

@hyatt #HyattPartner
4 Ways to Redeem Points at Hyatt Hotels & 7 Ways t 4 Ways to Redeem Points at Hyatt Hotels & 7 Ways to Earn World of Hyatt Points & (SAVE + SHARE):

Ways to Redeem
1. Redeem points for rooms at Hyatt hotels. There’s nothing like experiencing luxury without the cost, so glad I could redeem Hyatt points for this stay with one of the best views of Tokyo.

2. Redeem points to cover your meal at participating restaurants at Hyatt hotels.

3. Redeem Hyatt points to cover your spa treatment at participating spas at Hyatt hotels. 

4. Redeem points through World of Hyatt FIND experiences. With over 200 experiences like cooking classes, tastings, & walking tours there are so many activities to choose from!

Ways to Earn
1. Are you an elite member with American Airlines? If so, you can earn 1 Hyatt point for every $1 spent on AA flights. These are in addition to the normal miles you’ll earn on American, just sign into your AA account & link your World of Hyatt account.

2. Rent a car through Avis & can earn 500 Hyatt points per rental. Just provide your Hyatt membership number when making the reservation & use AWD code K817700.

3. Book a FIND experience by World of Hyatt and earn 10 points per $1 spent. Hyatt offers over 200 experiences such as culinary classes with celebrity chefs, hot air balloon ride in Arizona, guided bike tour over the Golden Gate bridge and more.

4. Even if you aren’t staying at a Hyatt property, if you eat at the hotel restaurant or book a spa treatment you can earn 5 points per $1 spent. We actually ate at a Hyatt restaurant in Kyoto & even though we weren’t staying there I gave my World of Hyatt number & received points!

5. Earn points on everyday spending with a World of Hyatt credit card: 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants, airline tickets, local transit, rideshares, & gym memberships plus earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

6. Transfer points earned on other credit cards who partner with Hyatt such like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Freedom Unlimited & Freedom Flex. 

7. Book a cruise with Lindblad Expeditions & earn 5 points per $1 spent.

Are you doing any of these?

📍Andaz Tokyo

@hyatt #HyattPartner
If you visit Lisbon or any mainland city in Portug If you visit Lisbon or any mainland city in Portugal I highly recommend adding a trip to Madeira! It’s an island off the coast of Portugal, actually closer to Africa than Portugal. Here’s how I spent 6 days in Madeira (Save + Share this post):

🇵🇹Day 1: Pool day at my hotel (NEXT Hotel) for most of the day and then I went running up the crazy hills of Madeira to see Funchal by foot.

🇵🇹Day 2: I explored the NW part of the island visiting Seixal Beach, Ponto Moniz, Fanal Forest and Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela.

🇵🇹Day 3: I went on a sidecar adventure where I explored Valley of the Nuns, the Cabo Girão Skywalk, and the fishing town of São Pedro with @madeirasidecartours.

🇵🇹Day 4: Whale and dolphin watching tour but we only saw dolphins. In the evening I did an Airbnb Experience at a locals farm house where he cooked a great dinner where 90% of the items were picked directly from his gardens that day. He also taught us how to make poncha, a favorite local drink. The tour should already be linked in my Maderia story highlights.

🇵🇹Day 5: I toured the SE part of the island visiting Ponta do Garajau, Monte Palace, and ended the day at the most beautiful views from Pico do Arieiro (the shots of me on the clouds).

🇵🇹Day 6: I watched the sunrise from Miradouro Ponto do Rosto and then did an 8 mile hike of Levado do Caldeirão Verde. After the hike I relaxed at the pool!

If you want photos taken in Madeira I recommend @robframing.

Honestly Madeira was everything and I don’t see it dropping out of my top 5 international destinations anytime soon.

The Traveling Child

If kids live there, kids can visit!

  • Affording Travel
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Australia
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba
      • The Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Grand Cayman
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Kansas
      • Louisiana
      • Mexico
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
  • Travel Tips
    • Tips on Traveling with Kids
    • Trip Planning Tips
  • Reviews
    • Airline Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Buy Our Book
  • Blog Coaching

NORTH LAKE TAHOE IN THE WINTER: THINGS TO DO & WHERE TO STAY

February 9, 2019      California, Destinations, North America

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

After experiencing Lake Tahoe in the summer years ago I finally got to experience Lake Tahoe in the winter.

While summer in Lake Tahoe was amazing my recent experience of Lake Tahoe in the winter leads me to believe it’s the best time to visit Lake Tahoe. Here’s everything you need to know about experiencing Lake Tahoe in the winter.

woman stands on the edge of Lake Tahoe in the Winter Tahoe North

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Taking Vacation Photos

North Lake Tahoe or South Lake Tahoe For Winter?

Before you can start planning your winter getaway you have an important decision to make – North or South?

The section of Lake Tahoe that is located in California is divided up into two regions, North and South. Both are great, don’t get me wrong but I have to say I am a Northerner in this case. 

And I should mention that the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe is more adult-oriented with a knock-off vegas vibe. The California side gives off a more calm, tranquil vibe that outdoor lovers tend to prefer. If you want to gamble then the Nevada side will be right up your alley.

So keep in mind when reading this post we are focusing on the CA side. Alright, back to North and South Tahoe! They are only an hours drive apart so you can visit both if you decide to rent a car (and the roads are drivable). Really, there isn’t much difference between the two in regards to amenities… it’s all about what resort you prefer the most. 

Northstar has been my favorite resort in North Tahoe so far and all the activities and restaurants I talk about in this post are located on the Northside of the lake. 

That’s not to say that South Tahoe doesn’t have some great resorts to visit during the winter, it’s just like anything else in life when you choose a solid side to lean into.

The Best Airport to Fly into When Visiting Lake Tahoe in the Winter

When looking for flights to Lake Tahoe most people fly into Reno/Tahoe Airport, Sacramento, Oakland, or SFO. When flying to Reno or Sacramento you will most likely have a layover. Mine was in St. Louis and I was so happy I have a Priority Pass membership that came with my credit card so I was able to eat in the airport for free.

While in the summer you can’t go wrong with either choice when visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter you’ll want to be more careful with your choice. This is because flights to Lake Tahoe in the winter are more likely to be delayed or canceled due to weather. SFO and Oakland are pretty much out of the snow zone but the road to get to them from Lake Tahoe are not. If there is fresh snow, which is very likely in the winter these roads may be closed due to weather conditions. There was a winter storm the day I left Lake Tahoe and my driver said departing out of Reno/Tahoe is always the best choice. This is because the road to Reno is least likely to be shut down due to weather as the city is more prepared to salt roads and have them cleared of snow for drivers.

You May Be Interested in Reading: The Best Websites for Flight Deals 

The Best Cars to Rent When Visiting Lake Tahoe in the Winter

When visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter you’ll need to worry about the Tahoe snow. Whether a storm rolls in or the streets haven’t been plowed you need to be prepared. To be prepared you will need to rent a 4wd. Be aware that if you are flying into Reno/Tahoe Airport there are limited 4wd vehicles as it’s not a large airport. Make sure you make your car rental reservation early.

If you don’t rent a 4wd you’ll need to plan on renting snow chains. . This also means you’ll need to know how to put on snow chains. If you aren’t comfortable with that option or not comfortable with driving in the snow at all consider taking a shuttle to Lake Tahoe. This of course means you wouldn’t have a car in Tahoe and would need to rely on taxis. Depending on your decision on where to stay in Lake Tahoe and what your plans are you might not need a car anyway. When I stayed at Northstar Ski Resort I didn’t need a car at all.

You May Be Interested in Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a California Road Trip

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

When deciding where to stay in Lake Tahoe in the Winter you’ll need to decide between hotels with views of Lake Tahoe or one of the ski resorts in. During my trip to I stayed at both the Sunnyside Inn and Northstar Ski Resort. Here is a breakdown of each place to help you choose where to stay in Lake Tahoe.

Sunnyside Tahoe: Best Hotel with Views of Lake Tahoe

If you want to experience Lake Tahoe in the winter but don’t plan on skiing or snowboarding everyday staying at Sunnyside Inn might be the best place for you. Sunnyside Tahoe has an epic view of Lake Tahoe as it sits right on the shore of the lake. The rooms are traditional hotel rooms with one or two beds but with a cozy cottage feel. Some rooms have fireplaces and most rooms in Sunnyside come with a view of the lake. You will love this so you can enjoy the beautiful sunrises right from your room.

where to stay in lake tahoe Sunnyside Tahoe room view of the lake

Northstar Ski Resort: Best Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

Northstar Ski Resort is one of the best family ski resorts. Sitting in North Lake Tahoe, Northstar Ski Resort is home to Burton Academy, the Northstar ski school. Kids are able to learn to ski at the Northstar ski school starting at 3 years old. Northstar Ski Resort literally has everything you could possibly need so if you don’t want to leave the resort you never have to. If you plan to ski or snowboard daily this is the place for you. Read my full review of Northstar Ski Resort here.

Northstar ski resort living area

North Lake Tahoe Restaurants

Looking for the best North Lake Tahoe Restaurants? I had the pleasure of dining at these restaurants and enjoyed the food and views.

Jake’s on the Lake

If you’d like an upscale option for dining with lake views Jake’s on the Lake is your best option. During the summer it’s always packed and reservations are required but during the winter you can have the whole restaurant nearly to yourself. They are known for their seafood so you can’t go wrong with any of those options.

Uncorked Tahoe

Looking for a little wine tasting? Stop by one of Uncorked Tahoe’s 5 locations and hang out at this wine bar or get a little more involved. Uncorked Tahoe offers wine classes teaching you the history of various wines and how to pair them with the perfect cheese plate.

Sunnyside Tahoe Restaurant and Lodge

I enjoyed a lake view lunch at Sunnyside Tahoe Restaurant and Lodge. Do yourself a favor and get the cajun fish tacos, they were so good! Sunnyside Tahoe Restaurant and Lodge has Taco Night every Wednesday starting at 4pm and boy does it get packed! I understand though, I’ll show up every time for $4 tacos. They also have Martini Nights so be sure to check their events calendar.

North Lake Tahoe Restaurants Sunnyside Tahoe Restaurant and Lodge fish tacos served with chips and salsa

The Pioneer Cocktail Club

If you’re looking for casual fare Lake Tahoe restaurants, The Pioneer Cocktail Club is a great option. With menu items such as Savren’s Pimp Hand and cocktails named I Make Bloody Moves you’re sure to find entertainment deciphering the meaning behind each name. They offer everything from pizza to brussels sprouts to popcorn.

Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in the Winter

Experiencing Lake Tahoe in the winter is truly magical and there are endless things to do in Lake Tahoe in the winter. It’s not sunny California anymore so make sure to be well prepared with the perfect ski trip packing list.

Snowshoeing in Lake Tahoe

Snowshoeing is when you put on special “shoes” that make it easier to walk in snow. You can take tours during the day or experience snowshoeing at night for some epic stargazing in Tahoe. I took my tour with Tahoe Adventure Company and my guide was so informative!

Things to do in Lake Tahoe in the Winter Snowshoeing in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Snow Tubing

When visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter Lake Tahoe tubing is the perfect winter activity for those not into skiing and snowboarding or if you just get tired of it. Most if not all of the ski resorts in Lake Tahoe offer snow tubing. If you’re traveling with younger children Northstar Resort offers kiddie tubing for children 42″ and smaller.

Northstar Village Tubing at the Overlook things to do in lake tahoe during the winter

Snowmobile Tours

Another awesome thing to do in Lake Tahoe in the winter is snowmobiling. There are many snowmobiling companies to choose from and most offer the same tours. Snowmobiling can be fun for the whole family with kids as young as 4 or 5 being able to be passengers with an driver over 18.

Lake Tahoe Skiing and Lake Tahoe Snowboarding

Lake Tahoe is one of the best places to ski and snowboard. Your options are endless with 6 ski resorts in the area. If you are staying in South Lake Tahoe you can ski or snowboard at Heavenly, Kirkwood, or Sierra at Tahoe. If you are visiting North Lake Tahoe in the winter you can ski or snowboard at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar, or Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows.

Woman stands on a snowboard in North Lake Tahoe in the Winter Lake Tahoe Snowboarding

Ice Skating

If you live in a place where ice skating rinks aren’t the norm it’s definitely one activity you want to put on your to-do list while staying on Tahoe during the winter months. There are indoor ice skating rinks and outdoor options as well. In fact, if you stay at Northstar they have an outdoor rink right in the center of their village.

Pamper Yourself With A Spa Day

After spending a long day outside in the thick of winter what better way to warm up your muscles than with a relaxing full body massage? The Spas in North Lake Tahoe are some of the best!

December in Lake Tahoe Brings All The Feels

If you’re able to visit North Lake Tahoe during December get ready to feel like you’re a part of Santa’s Winter Wonderland!  

Is December a good time to visit Lake Tahoe?

Like with any wintery destination December is a big month for people looking to experience the magic of the holidays. You should expect a larger crowd compared to January and February. The holiday festivities tend to offset the influx of people and make the trip worth it!

Average Temperature in North Lake Tahoe in December

December is really the start of winter on Lake Tahoe. November does bring some snow and lower temperatures but it doesn’t really start to drop until December. Even so, the temperature is pretty mild compared to other ski destinations averaging lows in the ’20s and highs in the ’40s.

How much snow does Lake Tahoe get in December?

While snowfall varies from year to year North Lake Tahoe tends to get around 30in December. Snowfall can start as early as September and continue on until early May which means, if you aren’t able to visit in December don’t fret! There will still be plenty of snow waiting for you!

Christmas on the Lake 

One reason December is a popular month to visit Lake Tahoe is the Christmas festivities. The resorts hold nothing back when it comes to holiday cheer! You can expect giant Christmas trees, Sleigh Rides, Entertainment, Dining experiences, and more!

Experiencing Lake Tahoe in the winter was amazing and while summer in Tahoe is great I really think winter is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe. Since I now live in Miami I never get to see snow or partake in winter activities. I hope to return to Lake Tahoe in the winter with the whole family. I know the girls would love to take ski lessons at the Northstar Ski School. Until then I’ll show them pictures! Did you find this post helpful? Please share it!

I was invited to Lake Tahoe as a member of the 2019 Digital Influencer Advisory Board for Visit California. As always all opinions are my own and true!

Share32
Tweet
Pin35
Email
Share
67 Shares

Newsletter Subscribtion

 
Join Our Mailing List
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Primary Sidebar

  • Amazon
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Recent Posts

  • The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
  • The Best Christmas Markets in the USA
  • The 11 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
  • The Best Places to Go for Halloween
  • Things to Do in Southern Idaho

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Copyright © 2023 The Traveling Child, LLC.