Because sometimes the best travel advice comes from the mistakes you almost didn’t notice.
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Travel Snapshot:
📍 Destination: South Lake Tahoe, California
❄️ Season: Winter (New Year’s)
✈️ Flights: Austin → Reno
🚗 Transportation: Uber from the airport, then walked everywhere
🗓️ Trip Length: 4 nights (3 full days)
👫 Best For: Couples, friend groups, first-time snow lovers
⭐ Would I Go Back? In a heartbeat.
Before We Get Into It…
There are vacations that are fun…
And then there are vacations that somehow become the ones you talk about for years afterward.
Lake Tahoe became one of those trips for me.
My husband and I flew from Austin on New Year’s Eve with friends for a winter getaway in South Lake Tahoe. By the time we landed, it was late, freezing, and snow covered everything around us.
Being from Texas, that alone felt magical.
We spent the next few days snow tubing, wandering through Heavenly Village catching the fireworks, eating some incredible food (you MUST try Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger), showing the karaoke machine who’s boss, and finding ourselves at Tipsy Putt more than once (which ended up being one of my favorite spots of the entire trip).
When I caught my first glimpse of Lake Tahoe, I actually stopped walking for a second.
I’d seen hundreds of pictures online.
None of them prepared me to see it in person.
The bright blue water surrounded by snow-covered mountains looked almost unreal, like someone had turned the saturation up on real life.
It was peaceful.
Quiet.
And honestly one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited.
If someone asked me tomorrow if I’d go back, my answer would be yes before they even finished the question.
But…
Looking back, there are a few things I’d absolutely do differently.
None of these ruined our vacation.
If anything, they made us laugh afterward.
Hopefully they will help make your trip even better than ours.
Heavenly Village at Night
1. I’d Choose a Different Hotel…Even Though I Loved Ours
Confession time…
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I have absolutely zero self-control when it comes to casinos.
Slots.
Blackjack.
Baccarat.
If there are flashing lights and the possibility of winning enough money to retire (not that I have ever won more than a couple hundred bucks), there’s a good chance you’ll find me there.
So when we realized we could stay at Caesars using rewards points, it felt like the easiest decision ever.
“Free” hotel? Say less.
At first, I thought we’d found the ultimate travel hack.
And honestly?
Caesars Republic is a great hotel.
The rooms were clean and modern, the location was convenient, and if you enjoy casinos, you’ll probably have an amazing stay.
I absolutely would recommend it to the right person.
The problem wasn’t the hotel.
The problem was…me.
Every time we walked through the lobby on our way to dinner or back from Heavenly Village, those slot machines somehow convinced me to stop “just for a few minutes.”
Isn’t it so convenient that most casino hotels make it almost impossible to walk through without having to walk directly through the casino? They know what they are doing. 😑
If you’ve ever walked into a casino planning to spend twenty dollars and somehow looked at your watch three hours later…you understand. Also, can we be friends???
Looking back, I probably spent more money gambling than I saved by booking the room with points.
That’s almost impressive.
What I’d Do Next Time
If I went back with friends who love casinos, I’d happily stay there again.
But if my goal was to spend as much time as possible enjoying Lake Tahoe itself, I’d probably choose a hotel without a casino.
Not because Caesars isn’t great…
Because I know myself.
And sometimes the best travel decision is planning around your own weaknesses.
Mine just happens to involve slot machines with a “free” drink in hand.
📝 Travel Note
Choose the hotel that matches the vacation you actually want.
If you’re hoping to ski all day, explore Heavenly Village, and spend your evenings enjoying the mountain atmosphere, staying somewhere without a casino might help you experience more of Lake Tahoe.
If, however, you’re looking for nightlife, entertainment, and don’t mind trying your luck after dinner, Caesars Republic is genuinely a solid choice.
Hotels I Would Try in Future:
Check Out Heavenly Village Condos ☃️
Check Out the Stardust Lodge ⭐
Wanting to Try Your Luck? Check Out Caesars Republic 🎰
Stardust Lounge at Night– One of my favorite pictures!
2. I Waited Too Long to Plan Our Winter Activities
I’ll admit it…
I have never been much of a planner.
Flights?
Booked a month in advance. (I know what you’re thinking.. “and you wanna give me advice on travelling…..” LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES, PEOPLE!)
Hotel?
It will get done eventually. 🤷🏼♀️
Restaurant recommendations?
Okay I do always scope the food out in advance.. a girls gotta eat!
I figured we’d get to Lake Tahoe, see what we felt like doing, and book everything once we arrived.
Huge mistake.
Lake Tahoe during New Year’s isn’t just busy…
It’s really busy.
We had originally talked about skiing, but by the time we looked into it, rentals, lessons, and lift tickets had become much more expensive than we expected (it was about $200 a person JUST to ride the ski lift up the mountain at Heavenly). Some options were already sold out, while others simply didn’t make sense for our budget anymore.
Instead, we pivoted—and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.
We spent an afternoon snow tubing, wandered through Heavenly Village, enjoyed incredible food, and spent way too much time laughing and playing card games at Tipsy Putt.
If you’re wondering…
Yes.
Tipsy Putt absolutely lived up to the hype.
It ended up being one of my favorite places we visited during the entire trip.
Sometimes the trips that don’t go exactly according to plan end up creating the best memories anyway.
That said…
If skiing is even remotely on your bucket list, book it early.
You’ll have more options, better prices, and far less stress once you arrive.
Tipsy Putt got us… well, TIPSY!!
What I’d Do Next Time
Before booking my flights, I’d already have my winter activities reserved.
Even if I ended up changing my mind later, I’d rather have the reservation than spend my vacation wondering what I missed out on.
📝 Travel Note
The holiday season is one of the busiest times to visit Lake Tahoe.
If you’re planning to ski, snowboard, snowmobile, or even take a scenic gondola ride, don’t assume you’ll figure it out once you get there.
Your future self will thank you.
Waiting in line to Tube. The oldest and biggest kids there! (fyi-we’re 30 hahaha)
Next Time I Would Book..
Snowshoe Tour in the Lake Tahoe Mountains
Half-Day Guided Backcountry Ski Touring Experience Near Incline Village
Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise
3. Three Full Days Wasn’t Nearly Enough
Before our trip, I remember thinking,
“Three full days should be plenty.”
Spoiler alert…
It wasn’t.
Not even close.
Between arriving late on New Year’s Eve and leaving early on our last morning, our vacation flew by faster than I expected.
One day was spent exploring Heavenly Village.
Another was snow tubing, eating our way around town, and somehow ending up back at Tipsy Putt.
Then there was karaoke, wandering through downtown after dinner, grabbing coffee the next morning, and stopping every few minutes because someone wanted another picture of the mountains.
Somewhere in between all of that…
The trip was over.
There were still places I wanted to visit.
Restaurants I wanted to try.
Trails I wanted to walk.
Views I never got to see.
Lake Tahoe surprised me because it’s one of those destinations where doing nothing is almost as enjoyable as doing everything.
Some of my favorite moments weren’t planned at all.
They were simply walking through Heavenly Village while snow gently fell around us or standing by the lake in complete silence admiring the views.
Being from Texas, we rarely get to experience a true winter.
Seeing snow-covered pine trees surrounding that unbelievably blue lake felt almost surreal.
It honestly reminded me why people travel in the first place.
Not to check destinations off a list…
But to experience places that feel completely different from home.
What I’d Do Next Time
Next time, I’d stay at least five nights.
That would give us enough time to relax, enjoy the town without rushing, and maybe even squeeze in a ski day without feeling like we were sacrificing something else.
Because trust me…
The last thing you’ll want to do is leave.
Enjoying some quiet time while taking in the mountains.
📝 Travel Note
If you’re flying into Reno like we did, remember to factor travel time into your itinerary.
Your first and last days will mostly be travel days, leaving fewer full days in Lake Tahoe than you might expect.
If your schedule allows, give yourself at least four or five full days.
You’ll be glad you did.
4. I Thought Travel Insurance Was an Unnecessary Expense
I’ll be honest…
Travel insurance has always felt like one of those things I could skip.
Nothing ever goes wrong on my trips.
Why spend extra money “just in case?”
Well…
Lake Tahoe almost changed my mind.
Our trip itself was incredible.
The problem came when it was time to leave.
A major winter storm rolled through the area the morning we were supposed to head back to the Reno airport.
It was around 3 a.m., and we were all awake, loading our bags and trying to request an Uber.
Except…
Driver after driver kept cancelling.
The roads were getting worse by the minute, and nobody wanted to make the drive.
Meanwhile, my brother-in-law was getting increasingly frustrated every time another notification popped up saying our ride had been cancelled.
Looking back now, it’s honestly hilarious.
At the time?
Not so much.
Eventually, we found a driver willing to take us.
As we left South Lake Tahoe, the snow became heavier and heavier.
Being from Texas, I’ve driven in plenty of rain.
Snow?
Not so much, if ever. (Texas shuts down completely when we hear the word “snow” 😂)
The farther we drove, the harder it fell.
The winding mountain roads disappeared beneath fresh snow, visibility became worse, and every sharp turn seemed to reveal another steep drop-off down the side of a mountain.
I sat quietly in the very back of the SUV, gripping the seat a little tighter than I’d like to admit.
Everyone was silent the whole car ride.
I just remember repeating the same thing over and over in my head.
Please don’t die.
Please don’t die.
Please don’t die.
Thankfully…
Our driver was incredible.
We made it safely to the airport, our flight wasn’t cancelled, and by the time we landed back in Texas, the entire experience had almost become funny.
Almost.
Looking back, I realized something.
If our flight had been cancelled…
If the roads had closed…
If we’d been stuck for another night or two…
Those unexpected expenses would’ve been entirely on us.
Would travel insurance have prevented the storm?
Of course not.
But it would’ve made the situation a whole lot less stressful.
What I’d Do Next Time
If I’m traveling somewhere with unpredictable winter weather, I’m buying travel insurance.
Hopefully I’ll never need it.
But after that drive…
I’m perfectly okay paying for the peace of mind.
Interested in Peace of Mind?
Purchase Safety Wing Travel Insurance Here!
📝 Travel Note
Winter weather doesn’t care how organized your itinerary is.
Give yourself a little extra flexibility, keep an eye on the forecast, and don’t automatically dismiss travel insurance—especially if you’re visiting Lake Tahoe during peak winter season.
Look at all that SNOW!
Final Thoughts
If you asked me whether I’d visit Lake Tahoe again…
My answer would be yes before you even finished the question.
This trip gave me exactly what I was hoping for.
Beautiful scenery.
Great food.
So much laughter.
A true winter experience.
And memories I’ll talk about for years.
Would I plan it a little differently next time?
Absolutely.
I’d book activities earlier.
I’d stay longer.
I’d probably choose a hotel without a casino (for my mental health and wallet’s sake).
And I’d purchase travel insurance without thinking twice.
But here’s the thing…
None of those lessons took away from the trip.
If anything, they made me appreciate it even more.
Sometimes the best vacations aren’t perfect.
They’re the ones that give you stories you’ll still be telling for years to come.
And Lake Tahoe gave me plenty of those.
✈️ Travel Notes
If I could pack for this trip all over again…
✔ One extra day (or two)
✔ Waterproof winter boots
✔ Hand warmers
✔ Travel insurance
✔ A slightly smaller gambling budget…maybe (😏).
Lake Tahoe completely exceeded my expectations, and I already know we’ll be back someday.
Hopefully these little lessons help you skip a few of the mistakes I made and spend even more time enjoying one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.
Safe travels,
Sara
Founder, Travel Notes Co.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Tahoe worth visiting in winter?
Absolutely. If you’ve never experienced a snowy mountain town, Lake Tahoe feels magical. Between the lake, Heavenly Village, winter activities, and cozy restaurants, it’s one of my favorite winter destinations.
Is three days enough for Lake Tahoe?
Three full days is enough to get a taste of Lake Tahoe, but if I planned it again, I’d stay at least five nights to experience everything without feeling rushed.
Do you need a rental car in South Lake Tahoe?
Not necessarily. We flew into Reno, Ubered to South Lake Tahoe, and walked almost everywhere during our stay. If you’re staying near Heavenly Village, it’s surprisingly walkable.
When should you book winter activities?
As early as possible—especially if you’re visiting around Christmas or New Year’s. Prices increase, and popular activities can sell out quickly.
Would you recommend Caesars Republic?
Yes—but for a specific type of traveler.
If you enjoy casinos, nightlife, and a lively atmosphere.. it’s a great choice.
If your goal is to spend every possible minute outdoors enjoying Lake Tahoe, I’d consider staying somewhere without a casino.
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