US-50NV-2826–30 mi · about 45–55 min from the lake
Antique stores near Lake Tahoe? Come over the summit.
Northern Nevada's largest antique mall is just over Spooner Summit in Carson City: about 45 minutes from Stateline, 50 from Incline Village and 55 from South Lake Tahoe. Over 21,000 square feet of vendor booths on two floors, open every day from 10 to 6.
- Open every day, 10–6
- Over 21,000 sq ft, two floors
- Parking lot out front
From the South Shore: US-50 over Spooner Summit
Take US-50 east along the lake, over Spooner Summit and down into Carson City. It's 26 miles (about 45 minutes) from Stateline and 30 miles (about 55 minutes) from South Lake Tahoe. US-50 crosses into Nevada at Stateline, among the hotel-casinos, then squeezes between the lake and the crest of the Carson Range, past Zephyr Cove.
Not to scale. From Stateline 26 mi, about 45 min; from South Lake Tahoe 30 mi, about 55 min, via US-50. From Incline Village, NV-28 joins at Spooner Jct: 26 mi, about 50 min.
Cave Rock
You drive straight through it. The rock is a sacred place to the Washoe Tribe, who call it De ek Wadapush.
Spooner Summit
Past Glenbrook and the NV-28 junction, the road crests the Carson Range and starts down. There's a small Tahoe Rim Trail parking lot at the top.
Carson Street
At the bottom of the grade, US-50 meets Carson Street at the south end of town. Follow it north through downtown to the yellow sign; the parking lot is right in front.
Why it's worth coming down off the lake
One stop covers a lot of ground. Hunting for antique stores near Lake Tahoe? Cross the summit and you'll find over 21,000 square feet of numbered vendor booths on two floors. We're at 1831 N Carson St in Carson City, open every day from 10 to 6.
Every booth is stocked by a different vendor. Antiques, vintage, collectibles and newer decor share the aisles, and the sign out front lists Gifts · Home Decor · Art · Toys & More. That makes it a good place to furnish a cabin or a vacation rental with pieces that have some history. Plan a couple of hours, and don't miss the upstairs.
From Incline Village: NV-28 down the east shore
Take NV-28 south along the shore to US-50 at Spooner Junction, then go over the summit. It's about 26 miles, around 50 minutes.
NV-28 passes just east of Sand Harbor, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Then it runs through state park land and national forest to its end at US-50, just south of Spooner Lake. Together with part of US-50, it has been a National Scenic Byway, Lake Tahoe–Eastshore Drive, since 1996. From the junction it's the same climb to Spooner Summit and the same drop into Carson City.
The other way down: Kingsbury Grade
Kingsbury Grade (NV-207) leaves US-50 at Stateline, climbs over Daggett Pass at 7,344 feet, and drops into the Carson Valley at Foothill Road. Follow Foothill Road north to Genoa, take Genoa Lane east to US-395, then head north into Carson City. The Carson Valley side is covered on our Minden–Gardnerville guide.
Winter: chains, snow tires and checking the road
Check the road before you leave the lake. NVRoads.com, Nevada's 511 site, posts chain controls, closures and highway cameras.
- Tahoe's stricter rule. When chain requirements are in place on US-50 between Glenbrook and Carson City, on Kingsbury Grade or on the Mt. Rose Highway, NDOT allows only four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires, or vehicles with chains.
- The California side. South Lake Tahoe is in California, so check Caltrans for that stretch, online or at 1-800-427-7623.
- Our drive times are for clear roads. Snow days take longer.
Furnishing a cabin or a vacation rental
Come with measurements and leave with the pieces that make a place feel lived in. Booths change as vendors sell and restock, so these are ideas, not an inventory. Everything here has turned up on our last looks.
- Light. A crystal chandelier for the dining table. A beaded lace lampshade, or pink fringed shades for the bunk room.
- Walls. Old photographs and framed pencil drawings. Before you buy an old sign, read how to spot real vintage signs.
- Kitchen. Teapots, a blue tea set, cups and saucers off the oak shelves in the China booths. Pattern-matching? Read our guide to whether your vintage china is valuable first.
- Storage. A tall wooden hutch for the board games and the extra quilts.
- Shelf and windowsill. A Seattle World's Fair vase. The White House Cook Book. Hats on a dress form for the entry.
Before you drive down
- Measure the spot, plus every doorway and stair it has to get through at the cabin.
- Bring the numbers and a few phone photos of the room.
- Bring a vehicle that fits the biggest thing on your list, plus blankets and straps. In winter, the traction rules apply to a loaded car, too.
Make a day of it from the lake
- On the way from Incline: Sand Harbor is right off NV-28. Check Nevada State Parks before you stop.
- At the junction: Spooner Lake is ringed by aspens, with a flat 2-mile trail around it.
- In Carson City: after the booths, drive 2.2 miles south (about 10 minutes) to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, home of the Glenbrook. Or walk 0.7 miles (about 15 minutes) to the old Carson City Mint.
- In winter: plan to head back up the grade in daylight.
Check each place's hours before you go. More ideas are on our Carson City day-trip guide.
Coming from somewhere else?
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From Reno & Sparks
Antique mall near Reno
I-580 south, over the Galena Creek Bridge and through Washoe Valley: about 40 minutes.
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From Carson Valley
Worth the drive up 395
16–18 miles from Minden and Gardnerville, with a scenic way home through Genoa.
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In Carson City
A day in Carson City
The booths at 10, the old Mint and the Capitol on foot, then a second look before 6.
From the lake: quick answers
- Which part of Lake Tahoe is closest to the mall?
- Stateline and Incline Village are both about 26 miles away, roughly 45 and 50 minutes. South Lake Tahoe is about 30 miles, roughly 55 minutes; all three come down US-50, and Incline starts on NV-28.
- What's the best way from Incline Village?
- Take NV-28 south along the east shore to US-50 at Spooner Junction, then go over Spooner Summit into Carson City. Allow about 50 minutes.
- Do I need chains to drive from Tahoe to Carson City?
- Sometimes. When chain requirements are in place on US-50 between Glenbrook and Carson City, NDOT allows only four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires, or vehicles with chains, so check NVRoads.com before you go.
- What should I bring to haul furniture back to the cabin?
- The measurements of the spot and every doorway on the way in, blankets and straps, and a vehicle that fits. For anything else, call (775) 461-3142.
- Is there a bus from Lake Tahoe to Carson City?
- Not a direct one we could confirm. Tahoe Transportation District runs routes from the South Shore into the Carson Valley and on to Carson City, so check tahoetransportation.org for current routes and transfers.