Thunderbird Lodge

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Thunderbird Lodge is located on the east shore of Lake Tahoe.

During summer, you can tour this eccentric neo-Gothic 1930s mansion. The only way to get to the lodge is by shuttle bus, leaving from the helpful in-town Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, or on a boat cruise or kayak tour ($135 to $149). Reservations required.

As well as the main house, there's an elephant house, which once housed two Indian elephants, and a huge custom yacht that belonged to reclusive millionaire George Whittell Jr. Tours include a trip down a 600ft tunnel to the card house where George used to play poker with Howard Hughes and other famous recluses.

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