Where am I Wednesday

Lake Tahoe, NV and South Lake Tahoe, CA

Favorite Place to Stay: I actually prefer to rent a cabin here. There are plenty to find to meet anyone’s needs online. This time, we stayed at the newly renovated Harvey’s though. Yes, the rooms we nicely renovated, but the casino still seemed stuck in the 80’s. The ceilings are very low and claustrophobic feeling.

Favorite Activities: I’m more of a summer person, but Tahoe has plenty of activities to please anyone any time of the year. My favorites include relaxing on the beach with a beach towel and a good book, renting boats on the lake for exploring, and hiking in the woods (use common sense – so you don’t get lost or eaten by a bear). As you may know from previous posts, I like to gamble – but not in Tahoe, these are the tightest slot machines I have ever seen. If you are going to gamble don’t spend any money you may need.

Favorite Eats: I’m a big fan of the Hard Rock Café, so I always hit up the one in Harvey’s. I’m not sure if it’s the great music, good service or the fact that I can use my AAA card for a 10% discount – but I’m always drawn to it. For breakfast, we love Heidi’s. It’s about half way between the Y shopping outlets and the casinos. You will pass it if you are coming or leaving Tahoe on the 50.

Favorite Shopping Stops: The Y Outlets. The Y is great for picking up a sweatshirt if it is cold at night or a nice outfit for going out to dinner. There are not a ton of stores but the great prices make up for the lack of choice.

Favorite Photo Stops: Anywhere along the lake will give you great pictures, the lake is so beautiful it’s hard to take a bad picture. My favorite stop is actually on the way to Tahoe on the 50. Most of your car ride on the 50 will be uphill, but just after you start to descend into the Tahoe Valley there are several spots to pull over on the freeway. I always stop at the first one that you can see the lake. This gives you a great view of the mountains, the airport and Lake Tahoe. It is breath taking.

Where am I Wednesday

Reno, Nevada

Where to stay: I stayed in the Atlantis. The room prices were decent, there was plenty of activities to keep me entertained and the restaurants were nice. The rooms also looked like they had been recently renovated and came with nice "green" bath amenities.

Gamblers advice #1: I actually am a fan of signing up for players cards. When I checked in I got a coupon for $10 in free slot play - plus a bonus $15 dollars for being a first time member. Always ask any front desk if they have any specials or free stuff. This was enough to keep me entertained for a few hours. Also, if I racked up enough points, I got a free buffet lunch.

When to go: It depends, if you go during the winter you will have tons of snow and skiing. I went in June and the weather was beautiful.

Where to eat: Every place I that I ate in the Atlantis was great and the prices were reasonable.

What to do: Well, gamble of coarse. There is also lots of shopping, The National Automobile Museum Museum and The Nevada Museum of Art. You could get a spa treatment or see a cabaret show. Sports bars are also fun when there is a good game on. If you go in August be prepared for the crowds and cool cars of Hot August Nights, plus there is usually always a concert or other special event going on year round. Check your hotel web site for events.

Gamblers advice #2: Think of gambling as paying for entertainment. Don't expect to win. Then when you do, it will be a pleasant surprise.

Gamblers advice #3: Set yourself a strict gambling budget. Rather it is by day, hour, or machine. I never let myself put more than $20 in a machine.

If you plan on venturing out of your hotel, it's probably best to have a car. There is not a lot to do in walking distance.