Harrahs is a great place to stay for anyone who wants to combine outdoor recreation by day with gambling at night while enjoying big hotel luxury in the middle of one of America’s most beautiful and diverse recreation areas.Within a five to thirty minute drive–a five minute walk for some activities–are opportunities to ski, snowboard or cross country ski, golf, kayak, bicycle, hike, swim, water ski, fish, boat, parasail, etc. The base station of the new Heavenly Gondola, which takes skiers and sightseers to the heart of Heavenly’s ski terrain, is less than a block away.After a day of physical activity, you can test your luck in Harrahs sizable casino or make the quick two minute trek through the underground tunnel that connects it to Harveys 88,000 square foot mega-casino.
The Casino
By Tahoe standards, Harrahs casino is one of the biggest, but it’s only modest by Las Vegas standards. However, it is quite pleasant and uncrowded, and the dealers, waitresses, and other help seem much more friendly than they are in Vegas or Reno. If you don’t find what you’re looking for at Harrahs, take the two minute walk through the underground tunnel to Harveys casino, the largest in Tahoe at 88,000 square feet, or go next door to either Caesars or Horizon. For lower table limits (including $3 blackjack and penny slots) and a somewhat less refined ambiance, go next door to Bill’s (also owned by Harrahs).For some cheap entertainment, including free drinks, spend some time at one of the increasingly rare $5 blackjack tables ($10 now seems to be the new rock bottom minimum). Those familiar with blackjack will find that Harrahs, like almost all casinos, is taking more and more countermeasures against card counters, most significantly the almost universal use of mechanical continuous shufflers. But, it’s still fun! In addition, Harrahs has recently changed the payout for blackjacks in single deck games from the traditional 3 to 2 to a truly lousy 6 to 5. To minimize your losses, stick with the multiple deck games that still pay 3 to Â
LocationÂ
Harrahs is literally at the California-Nevada border (in Nevada, of course) right on the main highway through South Lake Tahoe. It’s a very easy trip by car from western Nevada and California’s Bay and Sacramento areas. For those coming by air, it’s a two-hour bus trip from the Reno airport, which makes it less desirable as a fly-in destination.The huge Heavenly Valley ski area is now accessible by gondola from one block down the street. Other major ski areas–Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar and Kirkwood are all about an hour’s drive, weather permitting. Other diverse recreational opportunities are scattered throughout the Tahoe area, from five minutes to an hour by car from Harrahs.
     Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
P.O. Box 8
Stateline, NV 89449
Website: Visit the Website
Tollfree: (800) HARRAHS
Phone: (775) 588-6611
Fax: (775) 782-4889
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Restaurants
American River Café
Cliche
Fatburger
Forest Buffet
Friday’s Station
LA Italian Kitchen
Manchu Wok
Starbucks
The Summit
Shopping
Harrah’s Gift Shop
Spa/Fitness
Reflections the Spa
Entertainment
Casino Center Stage
Harrah’s Tahoe Arcade
Rendezvous Lounge
South Shore Room
Vex
  Harrah’s Lake TahoeP.O. Box 8Stateline, NV 89449Website: Visit the WebsiteTollfree: (800) HARRAHSPhone: (775) 588-6611Fax: (775) 782-4889             RestaurantsAmerican River CaféClicheFatburgerForest BuffetFriday’s StationLA Italian KitchenManchu WokStarbucksThe SummitShoppingHarrah’s Gift ShopSpa/FitnessReflections the SpaEntertainmentCasino Center StageHarrah’s Tahoe ArcadeRendezvous LoungeSouth Shore RoomVex
