Serious museum buffs will be thrilled to learn that the Lake Tahoe Historical Society owns and operates three separate museums in and around Tahoe City.

The Gatekeeper’s Museum (130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, 530/583-1762, www.northtahoemuseums.org, open year-round, schedule varies, adults $3, children $1) offers the most in-depth history of society around the lake. You’ll find transcribed oral history, photos, artifacts, costumes, and more inside this funky local museum.

If your tastes run more towards Native American artifacts, check out the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum (130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, 530/583-1762, www.northtahoemuseums.org) at the same site as the Gatekeeper’s Museum. Guess what its star collection consists of? In addition to a wonderful array of baskets exemplifying the work of tribes from across the country, you’ll also see dolls, costumes, and many other artifacts displayed in attractive and unusual (for a museum) pine-and-glass cases that match the wooden floors of the attractive galleries.

Finally, you can visit an authentic early 20th-century log cabin: the Watson Cabin (560 North Lake Blvd., 530/583-8717, www.northtahoemuseums.org, Memorial Day–Labor Day, schedule varies) at Tahoe City. Unlike many historic California buildings, especially cabins, this one sits on its original building site. Inside, you’ll find diorama-style displays of pioneer life in early modern Lake Tahoe.