Truckee is our own little Hallmark town this time of year. With twinkling lights illuminating the main drag and snow-capped mountains to explore, it’s the ideal, close-to-home escape for a weekend away or just a day off the beaten path. Drive into town—it’s less than an hour away—and make the most of your time off. From strolling Donnor Pass Road for shopping and food to adventuring in the Sierra Nevada mountains, you don’t have to be on the slopes to have a good time.
Make the most of a day trip
Get an early start so you can enjoy your first meal of the day in Truckee. With so many options it’s hard to go wrong, but we have some favorite early morning eats. If you’re a fan of Coffeebar, for example, you can visit their original storefront on Jibboom Street. Truckee is also the site of the first Squeeze In, serving up a full menu of weirdly delicious bites. For a rustic sit-down experience, Coffee And is the cozy, hole-in-the-wall place you’d expect in a Gilmore Girls-style town (complete with adorable mugs, of course).
Once you’re fueled, hit the streets. The Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center is on Donner Pass Road, where you’ll find many of the postcard city’s charms. We love meandering aimlessly up and down the road, popping into the shops. Word After Word Books boasts more than literary treasures, including a selection of gift items and a downstairs dedicated to music. And you can always update your wardrobe at Nomad Boutique, Cabona’s, or California 89. Other gems include Cooking Gallery, brimming with cookware and kitchen gadgets, and Tahoe Oil and Spice.
For lunch, we’re partial to Bar of America—part of the same restaurant group as Gar Woods and Riva Grill—which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 by expanding its dining space. However, the lunch menu is impressive even without the boozy component, with dishes such as St. Louis Black & Tan Ribs, Cowboy Chili, and Blackened Fish Tacos.
An ideal afternoon can be spent on the Truckee Ice Rink located at Truckee River Regional Park. Skate hand-in-hand under the pines while enjoying music and twinkly lights. On-site, a snack bar and warming hut are perfect reprieves for when your fingers freeze.
Truckee River Winery specializes in high-altitude, single vineyard wines in a snowy escape on the Truckee River. Even during the colder months, the winery is exciting to visit, inviting guests to revel in the wintry bliss.
If you want to get active on your visit, book an excursion with Tahoe Adventure Company. The adventure outfitter offers Truckee-specific snowshoeing tours in a variety of themes including Full Moon Snowshoes that double as a history lesson regaling participants with tales of the ill-fated Donner Pass excursion. Since these tours take off at night, you’ll want to fuel with dinner first. Donner Creek Brewing and Old Town Tap offer laid-back atmospheres that won’t have anyone giving you side-eye in your snow clothes.
Spend the night
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe offers a luxurious albeit cozy night away from home. Nestled into the mountainous surroundings, it feels like you’re worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
A quiet evening in includes dinner at Manzanita, a California cuisine restaurant with some Latin flair, followed by s’mores around a private firepit (that can be rented for the evening). Before you head to bed, grab a nightcap in the towering lobby. Appropriately called the Living Room Lodge.
The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe is known for its seasonal programming, which means a calendar of events will offer plenty of options for extra entertainment if you need it. Personally, we’re partial to holing up in our room, enjoying a glass of wine fireside while watching the snow fall from the private balcony. And if you booked your accommodations on the fifth floor, you have access to the Club Lounge for free glasses and snacks when it’s open.
Or you can rent a Veuve Clicquot Cabana Chalet, a private, heated apres ski experience where Veuve Clicquot champagne and gingerbread hot chocolate are poured while DJs perform live on the weekends, for a full or half day.. Every chalet includes its own plush accommodations including fur-lined chairs and seating for up to eight, plus a private firepit. Upgrades such as a caviar and champagne pairing, charcuterie board, cheese or chocolate fondue are available.
Active couples may prefer to end their evening with a little competition in the Topgolf Swing Suite, a new addition to the property during its most recent remodel. There are two bays available for group bookings by the hour. Simply check in with the front desk to reserve.
Before heading out, visit The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Lake Tahoe. Whether you opt for a day pass to enjoy the indoor hot tub, private (heated) pool and sauna or want to experience a massage or facial, you won’t regret setting aside a few hours to truly relax and unwind.
Of course, the slopes of Northstar are just outside, but even if you aren’t skiing or snowboarding you can still enjoy the great outdoors in The Village with shopping, eats, snow tubing, and a lively ice rink featuring hot beverages and live music on select days.