Completed in 1939, this National Historic Site, located in Incline Village, is the stone “summer cottage” of George Whittell, Jr., a wealthy and eccentric playboy who was the heir to two families who made their fortunes during the California Gold Rush. On 75-minute tours of the property, offered May 31 through October 14, visitors can see the main house, along with a 600-foot-long tunnel that leads to the boathouse, home to Whittell’s classic 1950 wood boat, the Thunderbird yacht, and other structures on the lakefront property. Boat tours on the Thunderbird yacht are also offered during the summer months. Tip: No private cars are allowed at the Thunderbird Lodge; shuttles to the property leave from the Incline Village Visitors Center, at 969 Tahoe Blvd. thunderbirdtahoe.org