When all the glam and glare of the Vegas lights get a bit too bright, not  far away lies a little haven of casino history, set against one of the most stunning and scenic backdrops in Nevada.  

Back in the day,  Lake Tahoe was ‘the’ place where stars, dignitaries, and even the notorious Rat Pack came to stay and play while recharging their famous batteries.
 
Now,  being a major Sinatra fan, it was a particular thrill to pull up to the front entrance of the very retro, very cool, very old school  Cal Neva Lodge,  especially since it almost seemed as though Frank, Dean and Sammy might still be crooning a tune inside the Frank Sinatra showroom.

In fact Frank owned the resort for a few years back in the ’60s. Even the big neon sign out front hasn’t changed much since the Rat Pack hung out here.

Once inside  it was like walking back in time. Some slots still  actually worked with real coins instead of high-tech player cards.

One of the main draw cards for me, despite my claustrophobia, was the little-known secret underground tunnel tour. 

Four days a week, Neva offers visitors a chance to go deep underground, to experience a little known piece of celebrity history. 

I felt like I was entering an ancient brick dungeon, as our guide explained this cramped tunnel was built so Sinatra could hide from the throngs during his daily trip from his luxury cabin out back, to the casino showroom.

Deep in the bowels of this dark and spooky passageway, I noticed a small  X marked on the wall, which, it turns out, marks a very notorious spot. 

This is supposedly the exact place where then-president John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe consummated their clandestine relationship, while unsuspecting gamblers spent their money on the casino floor directly above.
 
“Ring a ding ding!”   as Frank would say. That’s some entertaining folklore for the $10 tour price. 

The Cal Neva and other Tahoe casinos still have that intimate small-town feel.

Despite the fact Tahoe has obviously expanded over the years,  it has  managed to retain its natural beauty.

Where else can you ski and hike amid stunning scenery all morning, and still get back to the casino in time to lose the kids college money by nightfall?