Things to Do in Cherokee, NC - Cherokee Attractions
Things to Do in Cherokee
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- fromper group (up to 4)$17
- fromper group (up to 4)$25
- Historical Toursfromper adult$8
- Day Tripsfromper adult (price varies by group size)$150
- fromper group (up to 4)$25
- Half-day Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$85
- Half-day Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$85
- fromper adult$66
- Museumsfromper adult$40
- Ghost Toursfrom
$25per adult$20
Waterfalls
Scenic hike through natural terrain leading to a striking waterfall, complete with a bridge view and picnic spots. Trail includes a challenging climb with over 160 steps.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Cultural hub with a casino, museum, and botanical gardens amid natural splendors including elk habitat. Features cultural village tours and outdoor activities like tubing and fishing.
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Casino complex in a prime location with a diverse array of table games, slot machines, and daily poker tournaments. Includes a food court and a smoke-free gaming area.
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Tranquil green space with scenic walking trails, picnic areas, and bamboo forest backdrop. Features include fishing, swimming, and family-friendly activities like duck feeding.
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Speciality Museums
Admission tickets from $8
Informative museum with a variety of artifacts and exhibits on Cherokee history, including the Trail of Tears. Features self-guided tours and a gift shop with Cherokee literature.
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History Museums
Amusement & Theme Parks
Christmas-themed amusement park with nostalgic Americana charm. Features festive rides, a magical train journey, and encounters with Santa. Enjoyable for families with young children.
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Visitor Centers
Other Top Attractions around Cherokee
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Barbara BFort Mill, SC22 contributionsThis was an amazing waterfall. I would definitely recommend. Quite a few steps to get there but not too difficult. I would definitely recommend.Written September 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DanPanama City Beach, FL14,127 contributionsMy wife & I recently returned from our annual trip to the Cherokee Indian Reservation & the surrounding area. We spent some time on the Reservation visiting Harrah’s casino, the Veterans Memorial, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum Of The Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Islands Park, & had breakfast at Peter’s Pancakes. The real adventure is exploring the nearby GSMNP & the Blue Ridge Parkway. We visited the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where we saw lots of Elk in the adjoining meadow, the Farm Museum, and the River Trail. Less than a mile North is Mingus Mill. Mingo Falls is about 8 miles. Traveled the BRP over to Maggie Valley (multiple scenic overlooks for picture taking), and later stopped at Soco Falls on the way back. We had a great time & will return.Written December 8, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Vincent WHarrisburg, NC193 contributionsI've been coming here for many years. I finally became a Diamond member, and boy was that an amazing experience. While on the slot floor, VIP staff Christian and Debbie checked on me to see if I needed anything while on my complimentary 3 day visit. It was such a good feeling to have someone take time to great you and make you feel comfortable. I was celebrating 35 years with my company and wanted some R n R. Other staff were also kind and I must say it was a spectacular time had. Kudos to Cherokee Harrah's. Looking forward to my next visit.Written August 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- lovetravel2936 contributionsThis is a beautiful park. Locals swim here, beautiful bridges, a bamboo forest to trek through, and a very peaceful environment. You can sit on the benches and watch tubers go by. Pack a picnic and let the kids and dogs splash around. There is only one complaint on this awesome little park. There are no restrooms, they have 2 portajohns set up at the small parking lot but that is it. Do not let that deter you, just plan accordingly, because the park is absolutely a must do.Written August 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- OH is HOhio314 contributionsThe museum was a beautiful presentation of the heritage that could be easily shoved under the rug! The trail of tears should've never happened to the Cherokee Indian Tribe! I'm glad they are settled in Cherokee NC and able to preserve and share their culture and history. I have Cherokee in my family heritage. But even if that were not so, this museum was awesome. It was emotional at times, and educational. It is a time well spent to go thru it all, and also enjoyed the many things in the gift shop. Thanks to all the ones that have made this possible. The drive from the Gatlinburg TN area to get to the museum was just beautiful. Great choice to include this stop on our trip to the area from Ohio.Written September 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- journalmytripsGeorgia730 contributionsThis is a good place to visit when you stop at the Oconaluftee visitor center though I would encourage visiting in the morning if possible before it gets too hot. The site includes the house, a barn, a corn crib, a sorghum press, a blacksmith shop, various other small farm buildings and a small, fenced apple orchard. The walk to enter is close to the river.Written June 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rose L10 contributionsGreat for younger children, friendly staff! The magician is funny and it was a nice visit with santa. The train rude us a nice respite from walking everywhere. The paddle boats were a lot if fun!Written August 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- RichardFlorida114 contributionsSo we really wanted to see bears while visiting the Smokey Mountains. After driving through the National Park and not seeing any we decided to check out the Cherokee Bear Zoo. This is a small place with 4 separate bear enclosures. They had black bears, sun bears, and grizzly bears of different ages/sizes mixed together. It only cost $24 for 4 of us to get in and that included 4 paper trays of food to feed the bears. The bears all looked healthy and happy to receive food from visitors, some even waving at us. We were given the option to hold and get a picture with a live cub which we did for $25. They brought out a 8 week old baby black bear. After a quick picture and some pets they took him away for the next group. Although this was a once in a lifetime experience (holding a baby bear) we started having some resentment about the handling of this cub. In and out out of a baby crib, kids grabbing and squeezing. We also had some questions about where was the mama bear. So that’s what I mean about conflicted. They also had a small petting area full of goats. Only other “exotic” animal we saw was 2 foxes. I gave it 3 stars because it was a cool experience seeing the bears so close.Written March 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karen MTexas68 contributionsWe drove to Cherokee from Gatlinburg after hearing about how beautiful and interesting it is. We were not disappointed! We enjoyed time at the visitor center viewing the historic farm and walking the river bank. The highlight of our trip was viewing the elk in the meadow adjacent to the visitor center and on the way home through the park when they came out to graze in the late afternoon/early evening hours. We would visit here again!Written August 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nancy DShawnee, OK8 contributionsFound a few small gems. The sleuth water is recycled and dirty. Definitely disappointed compared to our experiences that other gem mines. Definitely a very commercialized place. We found a few things, but nothing like what we have found at the family run gem mines towards Franklin North Carolina. On a positive note, the store had a great selection of beautiful things to buy.Written June 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bonnie M3 contributionsVery well thought out museum and will go again when we go back! Cannot see all there is to see in Cherokee in a couple of days!Written August 27, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- carlpW5507CX3 contributionsWe enjoyed this hike as it was perfect level for our family of 4 (2 kiddos) and our pup. It was easy to transition to 'inside' trail leading to the riverbank. Total distance is about 3 miles out and back, with the halfway endpoint having an old farmstead the kids could visit. There is a restroom there, as well, if needed at the endpoint. The only drawback is that I really wanted to be fully emersed in a natural setting. We were, but the trail parallels the road, and you can hear/see cars drive by most of the time. I loved seeing/hearing the river flowing, but not the same if you hear motorcycles whizzing by. But it was a nice hike for our family. We aren't very experienced and wouldn't want to take the kids out in the middle of the wilderness for hours at a time either. And, we wanted a hike to take our pup with us.Written July 28, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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