When is Oconaluftee Indian Village open?

Oconaluftee Indian Village is open: Mon - Sat 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

What hotels are near Oconaluftee Indian Village?

Hotels near Oconaluftee Indian Village: (0.55 mi) River's Edge Motel (0.43 mi) Rolling Hills Lodge (0.69 mi) Super 8 by Wyndham Cherokee (0.76 mi) Econo Lodge (0.97 mi) Cherokee inn View all hotels near Oconaluftee Indian Village on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Oconaluftee Indian Village?

Restaurants near Oconaluftee Indian Village: (0.84 mi) Peter's Pancakes & Waffles (0.46 mi) BJ's Diner (1.23 mi) Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Cafe (0.81 mi) Front Porch Cakery & Deli (0.52 mi) Mini Donut Place View all restaurants near Oconaluftee Indian Village on Tripadvisor

Oconaluftee Indian Village - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

1,054 reviews

#5 of 17 things to do in Cherokee

Speciality Museums • Historic Sites

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area

Address

Reach out directly

Best nearby

Restaurants

50 within 3 miles

BJ's Diner

83

0.5 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food

Mini Donut Place

22

0.5 mi$ • American • Cafe • Barbecue

Peter's Pancakes & Waffles

1,344

0.8 mi$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly

Front Porch Cakery & Deli

110

0.8 mi$ • Dessert • American • Vegetarian Friendly

All Fried Up

29

0.7 miAmerican

Paul's Family Restaurant

1,687

0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Native American

Kobe Express

104

0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian

Dairy Queen

254

0.6 mi$ • Dessert • American • Fast Food

El Cajelito

10

0.7 miMexican

Newfound Lodge Restaurant

499

0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly

See all

Attractions

22 within 6 miles

Museum of the Cherokee Indian

1,580

0.4 miSpeciality Museums

Cherokee Visitor's Center

113

0.5 miVisitor Centers

Cherokee Indian Reservation

427

0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Cherokee Veterans Park

8

0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine

208

0.5 miMines

Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery

0.5 miPublic Transportation Systems

Oconaluftee Visitor Center

See what other travelers are saying

Allan J
Bradenton, Florida24 contributions
Genuine Experience of Cherokee Culture
This Indian village is beautifully situated in a wooded area that is comfortable to walk around even on warm summer days. The guided tour is very informative, with a combination of native craft demonstrations and visits to historical village replica buildings, For adults and families with children with the patience to listen, highly recommend you stay for the short informational talks that take place after the initial tour. The botanical nature trail around the outside of the village is a pleasant short walk worth taking, The combo ticket that includes both the Indian village and tickets to the outdoor drama "Unto these Hills" is a great option.
Visited June 2021
Written July 19, 2021
MonroeLouisiana
148 contributions
Informative Indian Village
We enjoyed our guided tour through the Indian village. All of the social distancing guidelines were followed, even though this was basically an outdoor tour. The first part was devoted to artisans who were plying their trade. Our guide explained in detail how each article contributed to daily life. Then the second part was devoted to building structures. Although the structures were only 1/3 the size of the actual ones, the purpose and importance of each one was clearly pointed out by each guide. I came away knowing much more about the Cherokee culture. My only regret is that the drama "Unto These Hills" isn't currently being performed due to Covid. We would love to return to see this here at the same venue.
Visited September 2020
Written September 15, 2020
Charlotte Flore... B
2 contributions
Dracula
I took 4 teenage girls to watch the play. We all loved it and will be back for another Halloween Haunt. Amazing there were only 6 actors total. They did an amazing job. The begining of the play took you on a walk from the concession stand across the back of the amphitheater and down a path until you were able to be seated in the theater section. If you were in the back as you followed down along the path with 199 people it made it difficult.to hear and nearly impossible to see. Especially since we are all 5ft tall But overall we had a great time. Beautiful night but cold on the mountain so be sure to bring a jacket and blanket. They offer snacks at a reasonable price. Women's bathroom has only 2 stalls so the line gets lengthy. We saw Sleepy Hollow 2 years ago and loved it as well. Hopefully something new next fall.
Visited October 2021
Traveled with family
Written October 17, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

1,054 reviews

Excellent

660

Very good

216

Average

90

Poor

48

Terrible

40

harryh409

Crestview, FL385 contributions

Sad tourist trap

Jul 2021

Having been to Cherokee many times and we have totally enjoyed the Veterans Park, the Cherokee Indian Museum and most of the exhibits this was a total failure on their part. The price for 2 seniors was $34, had to wait 30 minutes after opening for their tour to begin and it was over in 15 minutes. The native presenters at each station talked about various items and traditions but talked so softly that you hardly heard what they were saying. If you wanted to stay and wait another 30 minutes they had a couple of seminars but there was no where to sit and wait. This was a visit to avoid for the price is not worth your time.

Written July 13, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen K

Durham, NC14 contributions

Perhaps good for very young kids with no previous exposure

Oct 2021 • Couples

I decided to give them an extra concessionary star due to Covid. Guided tour, about four stations showing various traditional handicrafts and an overall presentation by a man in somewhat traditional clothing in a ceremonial square.

Our guide was not particularly animated and seemed to have only cursory facts. It would have been more interesting if the ones working on their crafts could have spoken a bit. An orientation film might have also have prepared people better with traditional Indian musicians or even pre-recorded music for background atmosphere accompanying the tours. No signs to read for additional info. Probably hasn’t been updated much since the opening in 1954. Very little imagination went into this.

There is a lot of room for improvement and the $19 admission does not justify the minimal effort they have expended. The day we visited, our tour group had perhaps eight people. If the operators could visit similar presentations in other places, they could see how really basic the experience is.

I couldn’t highly recommend at that price. Maybe the value point is $7-8.

Written October 17, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irene W

1 contribution

Not what it used to be.

Sep 2022 • Family

I came here shortly before the pandemic back in 2018 and to say the quality went down is an understatement. I understand the lockdowns and stuff were hard but it does NOT excuse the quality drop that I saw this weekend. For one thing, our tour guide, Cathy, was so rude even staff shortage doesn't justify keeping her. She just kept rolling her eyes and grumbling every time one of my group asked her a question. And would it be too much to ask her to please not use swear words around my kids? During our tour she barely even answered any questions. Instead she'd try to get other staff members to answer for her. At the woodcarving booth, the man there actually did her job for her.

We were told during the tour that all the craft work there was for sale in the village gift shop. Yet when my family entered, I was beyond disappointed to find no weaving, no beadwork, no pottery, no arrowheads, no carvings. No nothing. All that was in there were coasters, shirts and little trinkets that can be bought in literally any store in downtown Cherokee. So that was a huge letdown.

At 1 o'clock we got to see the dance show. I was looking forward to this. So imagine my disappointment when the dance show lasted only about ten minutes and every dancer there looked absolutely miserable. The singer was enjoying himself but none of the dancers looked like they wanted to be there. I don't know what happened to this place, but it's nothing like the place I used to come to every summer. I had hoped my kids would enjoy it but halfway through the dances, my three-year-old just said "Mommy, this isn't fun. I wanna go home."
If you're trying to decide between spending your money to go here or blow it at the museum, choose the museum. You'll have more fun and you'll learn more. At least the pictures and statues in the museum don't look like they hate their jobs like the dancers and tour guides here.

Written September 26, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

J S F

Etters, PA45 contributions

We didn't know what we didn't know

Jul 2022

Without having had opportunity to see the play, which wasn't performed during our visit, everyone in our party rated this as Cherokee's top tourist attraction, hands down. We went in the morning so as to miss the hottest time of the day and due to forecasted rain. The Village is on the side of a mountain. A guide takes each group through a series of stations where Cherokees practice a craft or skill associated with the Cherokee culture. The guide explains things, entertains questions, and gives visitors opportunities to interact with the artisans. At the end, other guides tell us more about things related to the entire village community. There is also a garden path for walks around the area. This is much better than a museum which is static and requires much reading. Here we conversed, touched, experienced, associated with people. It's extremely well done. Even kids seemed to be engaged. Buildings, water craft, and such are on a 1/3 scale, enough to give visitors an idea of what the real things were like. We learned so much about the Cherokees. The guides know how to present the ugliness of how their ancestors were treated in a neutral way, thereby giving what they said even more power. They were dignified. This Village is well done. If pressed for time, opt to visit this site. Be forewarned that walking along a hillside is involved. Older persons and those with physical disabilities can navigate the terrain but with some effort. Check on this should it be of concern to you before going.

Written August 8, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christine K

1 contribution

Pass

Sep 2022 • Couples

The first and second tour guides spoke super fast. It sounded like there was a lot of great info but it was way too fast (they’ve said it so many times they just fly through it).The third guide never showed up. Only three stations had demonstrations in progress. At $25 a person, this was not money well spent. The village is on a mountain and the guide says they wouldn’t live on the mountain, they would be by the river. The council house was a seven sided building, which was accurate but the guide said it wasn’t like the way they had it set up. ??? I should have just bought a book.

Written September 14, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amber S

Trenton, NC53 contributions

Informative and interesting

Oct 2021

Our tour guide was a young woman who spent the time at each station as our group of 4 desired. She was friendly and you could tell she enjoyed her job. We really enjoyed each of the presenters in the stations and were amazed by their talents they were doing. We were a little disappointed by the presenter in the lodge presentation. She rushed through it as if she was just giving the information as she was directed but didn't slow down for a breath or questions. She almost seemed annoyed that she had to do the presentation...it was just a bad ending to a wonderful time there in the village.

Written November 16, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeff S

Gainesville, GA1,225 contributions

Cherokee life in days of old.

Aug 2021 • Family

Highly recommend doing the Indian Village tour. A guided tour by knowledgeable Cherokee people who guide you through a replica village from back in the early days. You stop at different locations depicting how carvings were made, how arrow heads were made, clothing etc. You will stop by replica housing of various types, how they trapped animals for food. You will learn about the different Clans and what they mean, how marriage and spouse get together. A very educational tour that y’all will enjoy. At the end there is a gift shop and a snack shed.

Written August 6, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dewayne P

Elizabethtown, KY1,846 contributions

Insight into Native American heritage

Oct 2022

What a neat place! I knew very little about the Cherokee people but left understanding more than I imagined. Free parking on sight. Nominal fee to enter and receive a docent led tour along with several programs. Small gift shop has all of the souvenirs you could want. Definitely worth checking out.

Written October 20, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JJ Crouch

7 contributions

Emotional Learning Experience

Jul 2021

This Oconaluftee Indian amphitheater is beautifully situated in a wooded area that is comfortable to walk around even on warm summer days. Beautifully and professionally performed “Unto these Hills” drama of the treachery of the white man and the strength and resilience of the Cherokee. I would watch the drama again on my next visit to the Cherokee Reservation.

Written July 31, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sightseer516725

9 contributions

very impressed

Aug 2021

We visited Cherokee as we heard about the live play based on the Trail of Tears story. We visited the Oconaluftee Village to experience how ingenious and intuitive the natives were in those days. They truly embodied good work citizens, respected the land, shared in the work and the rewards. Women were equal. The various stops on the tour were each impressive as to how the natives used everything God gave them, and did not abuse the land or the resources. It was very enjoyable. Our guide, Tia, was informative and prepared. We highly recommend it and the Play.

Written August 4, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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