There are endless miles of nature trails in the Tahoe area, and Northstar is a great place to start your hike or trail run. Your jaunt into the woods can be as leisurely or strenuous as you like. Pro-tip: The top of Mt. Pluto (lookers-left from the base area) has a great view of the lake!
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, rent a mountain bike (and some body armor) and hop a chair lift to the top of Lookout Mountain. The Live Wire trail is world renown for downhill single track. Alternatively, a bike is a great way to see the area, and the road cycling is fantastic - a zip to the lake and back would be ~20 miles of wide-shoulder blue highway cruising. There is so much amazing riding in the Tahoe area, so if you do plan to rent or bring a bike, talk to Matt for details.
Kayak or SUP rentals are a great way to get out and experience lake Tahoe up close. Late September weather is generally great for being on the lake, but not in the lake (unless you are a little crazy).
Live music most every night of the week!
Inside thew New Moon grocery store is the Crescent cafe, specializing in local organic deli style food and an unbelievably large micro-brew selection (try the Gypse Funk, it will offend your senses in the best of ways).
This place is a must-stop whenever we are in Truckee. So much so, we commissioned the bakery to make our desserts for the party Saturday night.
Gambling is legal just across the state line. So, if you want to hit the casinos, head towards Crystal Bay along the lake just north of Kings Beach, or point it back towards Reno.