What to do in Truckee, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Truckee featuring a river or creek, snow and a small town or village
Truckee featuring a river or creek, snow and a small town or village
Truckee which includes snow and signage
Truckee showing a river or creek, snow and a small town or village
Truckee showing a house and snow

Truckee Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Truckee has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Truckee is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Truckee to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Truckee Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Truckee.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Truckee attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Truckee

Tours & day trips

See all 22 activities
Lake Tahoe: Clear Kayak Tour

Lake Tahoe: Clear Kayak Tour

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $205 per adult
Lake Tahoe: Clear Kayak TourOpens in new tab

Winter activities

See all 7 activities
Lake Tahoe: Sunset Snowshoe Trek with Hot Drinks and Snacks

Lake Tahoe: Sunset Snowshoe Trek with Hot Drinks and Snacks

Activity duration is 3 hours
Price is CA $167 per adult
Lake Tahoe: Sunset Snowshoe Trek with Hot Drinks and SnacksOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 7 activities
California Adventure Bundle: 8 Self-Guided Audio Tours

California Adventure Bundle: 8 Self-Guided Audio Tours

Activity duration is 8 days
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $55 per traveller*
California Adventure Bundle: 8 Self-Guided Audio ToursOpens in new tab

Spa & wellness

See all 3 activities
Tahoe Vista: Sauna and Ice Cold Plunge Experience

Tahoe Vista: Sauna and Ice Cold Plunge Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $41 per adult
Tahoe Vista: Sauna and Ice Cold Plunge ExperienceOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Truckee

Number of things to do
31
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Everline Resort Explorer: Self Guided Olympic Valley Stroll: CA $14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Truckee

Discover the most popular places to visit in Truckee

Northstar California Resort which includes a hotel and ice skating as well as a small group of people

Northstar California Resort

When you picture California, sunny beaches, surf, and the sea are sure to come to mind first. Don't forget that snow is falling down on the mountain, making Northstar Ski Resort one of the top destinations when ski season arrives.

Northstar California Resort
Sunset glow along the mountains next to Donner Lake. #BvSWater

Donner Lake

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Donner Lake during your travels in Truckee. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.

Donner Lake
Sugar Bowl which includes heritage architecture and snow

Sugar Bowl

This Bavarian-style ski resort with spa, restaurants, shops and powdery slopes is a favorite with visitors year-round.

Sugar Bowl
Unidentifiable skiiers head down Mt. Lincoln to the Lake View intermediate run at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Donner Lake is in the background.

Sugar Bowl Resort

Hit the slopes at Sugar Bowl Resort during your trip to Truckee. Amble around this quaint area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Sugar Bowl Resort
Panoramic view to Donner lake from Donner Pass, Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe area

Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area

Hit the slopes in Truckee with a visit to Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area. Wander the lakeside or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area
A little bridge nearby.

Donner Memorial State Park

Enjoy a trip to Donner Memorial State Park and popular activities like skiing in Truckee. Amble around this quaint area's lakeside, or seek out the hiking trails.

Donner Memorial State Park

Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Golf Course

Play a round of golf at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Golf Course and enjoy other activities in Truckee such as skiing. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area, or seek out the hiking trails.

Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Golf Course

Old Greenwood Golf Course

Play a round of golf at Old Greenwood Golf Course and enjoy other activities in Truckee such as skiing. Stroll along the lakeside or discover the mountain views in this quaint area.

Old Greenwood Golf Course

Big Springs Express Gondola

Enjoy a trip to Big Springs Express Gondola and popular activities like skiing in Truckee. Wander the lakeside and beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

Big Springs Express Gondola

Explore areas of Truckee

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Northstar

While visiting Northstar, you might make a stop by sights like Northstar California Resort and Big Springs Express Gondola.

Northstar
The Donner lake under the snow in winter, in California, panorama, with tunnels in the mountain for the train

Northstar Village

If you're spending some time in Northstar Village, Northstar California Resort and Big Springs Express Gondola are top sights worth seeing.

Northstar Village
Beautiful pink flowers frame the historic gold rush era architecture of downtown Truckee, California, USA.

Downtown Truckee

If you're spending some time in Downtown Truckee, Truckee River and Commercial Row are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Truckee
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Ponderosa Palisades

Though Ponderosa Palisades might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Ponderosa Golf Course and Coyote Moon Golf Course.

Ponderosa Palisades
Lake Tahoe in famous California mountains National Park Sierra Nevada

Gateway

While Gateway might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Coyote Moon Golf Course and Emigrant Trail Museum.

Gateway
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Donner Lake Woods

While visiting Donner Lake Woods, you might make a stop by sights like Donner Lake and West End Beach.

Donner Lake Woods

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Truckee

Reno

Reno

Squaw Valley Resort featuring snow, mountains and a gondola

Olympic Valley

Kings Beach State Park

Kings Beach

Aerial Photo Mountain Pass Soda Springs California

Soda Springs

Inspiration Point Vista

Tahoe City

Frequently asked questions

Is Truckee worth visiting?
Famous for its cycling and watersports, discovering awesome things to do in Truckee is a breeze. Don't forget to add Big Springs Express Gondola to your itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Truckee?
West End Beach and Promised Land Express Lift are two awesome places to begin your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Truckee while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Truckee?
Don't leave without visiting Big Springs Express Gondola, rated the top tourist attraction in Truckee.
Is three days enough to stay in Truckee?
You can easily tour leading sights like Big Springs Express Gondola, West End Beach and Highlands Gondola with a three-day trip to Truckee. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Reno.
Is Truckee a walkable city?
That comes down to what you want to do and see in Truckee. Several top attractions, including Old Greenwood Golf Course and Coyote Moon Golf Course, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Truckee's best neighbourhoods, Downtown Truckee is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Armstrong is 5 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Truckee with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all the family, have a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Truckee with kids.

What to do in Truckee for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Truckee, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Spa at Everline.
Are there free things to do in Truckee?
In Truckee, West End Beach is a top spot for anyone wishing to tour the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, wander around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and speak with a local tour guide. It's a top way to discover the best free things to do in Truckee.

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