Best things to do in Cherokee

Try your luck at a game of black jack, video poker, roulette, or bingo at Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee while enjoying your complimentary non-alcoholic drink. Occupying the site of a former theme park, the casino is an enterprise of the Eastern Cherokee Indians and one of the two casinos in North Carolina. Since the state restricts the types of gambling, all the games at the casino require some sort of skill. A poker room with 20 tables is reserved for non-smokers.

Immerse yourself in thousands of years of Cherokee history at Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Your self-guided tour begins in the Story Lodge, where computer animations retell ancient myths. The galleries that follow track the Cherokee from the Paleolithic period to modern day. You can explore digital exhibits and admire lifelike wax models. Artifacts, textiles, and art are displayed throughout the galleries. If you will be in the area for a few days, consider signing up for one of the many classes in Cherokee craftsmanship, language, or culture.

Just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, discover Mingo Falls. The 36.5 m (120 ft) waterfall is one of the tallest falls in the southern Appalachians. Take a short hike along Pigeon Creek Trail to view the falls. The hike is only 0.65 km (0.4 mi) but includes many steep steps, making it a bit of a challenging climb. At the top of the stairs, you'll see and feel the mist of the powerful falls. There are no facilities other than parking here, but you'll find services in the town of Cherokee just a few miles south.

Splash down the crystal waters of the Pigeon River, one of the most popular whitewater rivers on the east coast, on a rafting or tubing trip from Hartford. For a fun and thrilling ride, opt for a rafting trip on the Upper Pigeon and you'll get to paddle alongside your experienced guide navigating Class III and IV whitewater rapids. A scenic float trip on the Lower Pigeon, with the beautiful Smoky Mountains as your backdrop, allows families with younger children, non-swimmers, and rafting beginners to enjoy outdoors, without getting too excited or soaking wet. Either way, your entertaining guide will keep you safe throughout this entire 2-hour journey.

At an elevation of 2,025 m (6,643 ft or 1.25 mi), Clingmans Dome is both the tallest mountain of the Great Smokies and the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. Park your car near the summit and embark on 0.8 km (0.5 mi) walk to the observation tower atop the mountain. Note that while the trail is short and paved, it is very steep. Benches along the way provide a place to rest and catch your breath. The tower's observation platform provides panoramic views of the surrounding area, and handy signs help you identify points of interest. Bring a jacket with you; cold temperatures and rain are common here.

Oconaluftee Indian Village showcases the history of the Cherokee people and the impact that European settlers had on custom and culture. Surrounded by tall oaks and sycamores, this 1760s style living-history village is accessible through snaking paths. You can tour the dwellings, sacred areas, and work sites. Be prepared to encounter townspeople and craftspeople who have stories to tell. You'll learn about traditional medicine-making and interact with craftspeople as they hull canoes. Witness the village prepare for war, and see a blowgun demonstration. You'll have the opportunity to observe cultural dances and talk with the townspeople as they make pottery and masks, do beadwork, and weave baskets.