2022 Cherokee North Carolina Travel Guide

Cherokee North Carolina

2022 Chamber of Commerce Travel Guide

Double King Room • Over 1000sf

CULTURE MEETS NATURE

Rolling Hills Lodge is Cherokee’s newest hotel located in the heart of the Cultural District. Winner of the 2017 Best of Boutique Award given by Trip Advisor. Guests can enjoy an array of activities within walking distance from our hotel including the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual and Unto These Hills Outdoor Theatrical Drama.

Next to Museum and Unto These Hills Great Fishing • One Mile from Casino

BEST OF BOUTIQUE

828.497.5371 739 Tsali Blvd. • Cherokee, NC

ROLLINGHILLSLODGE.COM

Greetings FROM

Cherokee, NC O

n behalf of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, I would like to welcome you to Cherokee, North Carolina, and encourage you to “Meet Me in the Smokies.”

When visiting Cherokee, you are in the center of a beautiful cultural and recreational region with the Great Smoky Mountains serving as the backdrop.

Amy Parker, Executive Director & Tunie Braun, Manager

While vacationing in Cherokee your family can play miniature golf, visit an amusement park, pan for gold and precious gems, take a scenic ride on a train, play in a creek or river, or visit the tallest dam in the Eastern United States.

Meet Mekiiens!

Again, I want to extend a warm welcome to you and your family on your visit to Cherokee. I hope this guide helps you plan and enjoy your visit to our area. Visit CherokeeSmokies.com for additional information and to see why we call this area home.

Cover Art

Jeremy Wilson Production

BAEO, LLC baeollc@gmail.com

Th e S m o

Amy Parker

Executive Director Cherokee Chamber of Commerce a publication of the

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1838 • Cherokee, NC 28719 828.788.0034 info@cherokeesmokies.com

Culture

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a federally recognized tribe that occupies the Qualla Boundary.

The Qualla Boundary has 56,000 acres primarily in Swain and Jackson counties and smaller sections in nearby Cherokee and Graham counties. The tribe has 14,000 members.

The Qualla Boundary is not a reservation, but a “land trust” supervised by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. The land is a fragment of the extensive original homeland of the Cherokee Nation. The people had to purchase their land to regain it after it was taken over by the federal government.

Oconaluftee Indian Village The Oconaluftee Indian Village features a sampling of Cherokee life during the mid- to late 1700s.

Visitors will learn about the culture through re-enactments, classes, dances and more. They also can meet tribal members and watch tribal members hull canoes, make pottery and baskets, and do bead work.

Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual at 645 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee, features artwork made by the Cherokee Indians, including pottery, bead work, baskets, wood carvings, paintings and prints, masks, pipes, finger weaving, home goods and weaponry.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian The Museum of the Cherokee Indian features computer-generated imagery, special effects and audio with a large artifact collection.

Installed in 1998, this $3.5 million project tells the story of the Cherokee and their ancestors from 12,000 years ago through the present. The self-guided tour begins with the Story Lodge, where ancient Cherokee myths appear through computer animation. Visitors can continue through the Paleo period when mastodons were killed with spears.

Through the Archaic and Woodland periods, people got into agriculture, and created trade and villages. The ceremonial activities of the Mississippian period echo throughout today’s traditions, but also brought disease, war and many cultural changes.

“Unto These Hills” “Unto These Hills” is an outdoor drama facility in the 2,100-seat Mountainside Theatre that allows visitors to learn about the history of the Cherokee. One of the longest running outdoor drama centers, “Unto These Hills” has entertained more than six million since 1950.

Shows are nightly except Sunday from June through mid-August. The theater is located at 688 Drama Road, Cherokee.

MEMBER LISTING

Attractions Cherokee Bear Zoo Tsalagi Rd (Hwy 19) Cherokee 828-497-4525

Attractions

The Factory 1024 Georgia Rd Franklin 866-482-2386 franklinfun.com

Great Smoky Mtn Railroad P.O. Box 1490 Bryson City 800-872-4681 gsmr.com

Oconaluftee Indian Village Drama Rd Cherokee 828-497-2111 cherokeehistorical.org

Santa’s Land 571 Wolfetown Rd Cherokee 828-497-9191 santaslandnc.com UltraStar Multi-tainment Center 777 Casino Drive Cherokee 828-497-8249 cherokee.ultrastarnc.com Unto These Hills Drama 564 Tsali Blvd (Drama Rd) Cherokee 866-554-4557 cherokeehistorical.com

Fishing Cherokee Fisheries & Wildlife Management P.O. Box 455 Cherokee 828-359-6110 fishcherokee.com

Gaming Casino

Horseback Riding

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino 777 Casino Trail Cherokee 828-497-7777 harrahscherokee.com

End of Trail Horseback Riding 103 Guy Bark Rd Cherokee 828-497-4803

Guided Tours

Cherokee Helicopters 264 Casino Trail Cherokee 828-497-5797 flythesmokies.com

Jeep Tours with Wildwater 10345 Hwy 19 Bryson City 800-451-9972 wildwaterrafting.com/ jeeptour.html

Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours P.O. Box 309 Long Creek 877-398-6222 nantahalagorgecanopytours. com NOC Mountaintop Zip Line Tour & White Water Rafting 13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City 888-905-7238 noc.com Wildwater, LTD P.O. Box 190 Almond 800-451-9972 wildwaterrafting.com

Smokemont Riding Stable P.O. Box 1432 Bryson City 828-497-2373 smokemontridingstable.com

Movies

Cherokee Cinema 91 Sequoyah Trail Cherokee 828-497-7384 cherokeecinemas.com

Museums

Museum of the Cherokee Indian Drama Rd & Tsali Blvd Cherokee 828-497-3481 cherokeemuseum.org Sequoyah Birthplace Museum P.O. Box 69 Vonore, TN 423-884-6246 sequoyahmuseum.org

Spa Moonlight Spa & Retreat 129 Moonlight Drive Sylva 828-477-4357 moonlight-spa.com

L

ocated in the heart of the Smokies, Cherokee is the perfect place for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors. From an easy riverside stroll to a challenging mountain bike trail, there are ample opportunities to get out and smell the fresh mountain air. We’ve included some ideas for getting outside here.

Clingmans Dome At 6,642 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in the Smokies. From the parking lot, 7 miles west of Newfound Gap, walk the steep half-mile path to the 54-foot observation tower for a 360-degree view of the Park. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144-mile journey. The Clingmans Dome road is closed from December 1 through April 1.

Mingo Falls Mingo Falls on the Qualla Boundary just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee is worth the 1/4-mile hike, which is considered moderate to difficult. Visitors must walk up 150 stairs to a wooden bridge that crosses Mingo Creek. The 120-foot waterfall is one of the tallest in Southern Appalachia and is most exciting after heavy rains.

There is no fee.

Soco Falls Just east of Cherokee on US 19 towards Maggie Valley you’ll find Soco Falls – a double waterfall – on your right. There’s a small unmarked pull-off, and a short walk leads you to a viewing platform for Soco Falls and another smaller fall. The pull-off is 11 miles from the intersection of US 441 Bus. & US 19. (From Maggie Valley, it’s about 1.5 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway on your left.)

Explore

the Outdoors

MEMBER LISTING

Native American

Shopping

Bearmeat’s Indian Den 4210 Wolfetown Rd Cherokee 828-497-4052 bearmeats-indian-den.com Art & Jewelry by Traditional Hands 1045 Tsalagi Rd Cherokee 828-554-5884 traditionalhands.com Medicine Man Crafts 482 Tsali Blvd Cherokee 828-497-2202 medicinemancrafts.com

Qualla Arts & Crafts 645 Tsali Rd Cherokee 828-497-3103 quallaartsandcrafts.com The Little People 910 Tsalagi Rd Cherokee 828-497-5289

The What’s Hot Shop 989 Tsalagi Rd Cherokee 828-497-9500 cherokeesmokies.com/whatshotshop Unique Gift Outlet 1655 Acquoni Rd Cherokee 828-497-2559

cherokeesmokies.com/ uniquegiftoutlet Whiskey Tattoo 1350 Tsali Blvd Cherokee 828-554-1016

General Shopping

Alan’s Jewelry & Pawn 510 Paint Town Rd Cherokee 828-554-0431 alanspawn.com Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Rivershops 828-497-7777 harrahscherokee.com

Superior Smoky Mountain Hospitality with one of our two Award Winning Hotels

cherokee, North Carolina

an area rich in culture, heritage , art and pure outdoor adventure

Mingus Mingus Mill Mingus Mill Mill

AHA Fishing Pier AHAFishing Fishing Pier Pier AHA catch && keep catch& keep catch keep Tribal permit Tribalpermit permit Tribal required required required

441 441 441

Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Oconaluftee River River River

Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Oconaluftee RiverTrail Trail River River Trail

Acquoni Acquoni Acquoni Expo Center Expo ExpoCenter Center

Cove Road OnOn BigBig Cove Road Big Cove Road 5On miles north of the 5 miles north of the 5intersection miles north intersection at ofatthe intersection at Saunooke Village Saunooke Village Saunooke Village

Mingo Falls Mingo Falls Mingo Falls

Big Big BigCove Cove Cove Road Road Road

Blue Ridge Blue Ridge Blue Parkway Ridge Parkway Parkway

Mingo Falls Mingo Falls Mingo Falls

Raven Raven Fork Raven Fork River Fork River River

Oconaluftee Oconaluftee River Oconaluftee River River

Park Visitors Park Visitors Center Park Visitors Center & Center 441 Mountain && Farm 441 Mountain Farm Museum 441 Mountain Farm Museum Museum Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Oconaluftee River Trail RiverTrail Trail River

Qualla Qualla Qualla Tsali Tsali Arts & Crafts Arts Crafts Tsali Arts &&Crafts Blvd Blvd Blvd Unto UntoThese TheseHills Hills Unto These Hills Mountainside Mountainside Post Fire Mountain Fire Mountain Mountainside Post Theatre Theatre Office Fire Mountain Bike Trails Theatre Bike Trails Office Bike Trails

Cherokee Cherokee Cherokee North NorthCarolina Carolina North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park

US 441 441 North US to Newfound US 441 North to Newfound Gap, North toGap, Newfound Clingmans Dome Gap, Dome Clingmans & Gatlinburg Clingmans Dome & Gatlinburg & Gatlinburg

©2018 Cherokee, NC Chamber of Commerce ©2018 Cherokee, NC Chamber of Commerce

©2018 Cherokee, NC Chamber of Commerce

441 441 441

Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Oconaluftee RiverTrail Trail River River Trail Acquoni AcquoniRoad Road Acquoni Road

441 BUS BUS 441 441

BUS

Whitewater Whitewater Drive Whitewater Drive Drive

Saunooke Village

To US 74 Dillsboro (east) To US 74 BrysonTo City US 74 Dillsboro(west) (east) Dillsboro Bryson City(east) (west) Bryson City (west)

Casino Trail Casino Casino Trail Trail

Harrah's Harrah's Cherokee Harrah's Cherokee Casino Cherokee Casino Resort Casino Resort Resort

To Maggie Valley To ToValley Maggie Maggie Valley

19 19 19

Santa’s Land Santa’s Land

Bearmeat’s Indian Den & Santa’s Land

AHA Fishing Pier AHA Fishing Pier catch & keep AHA Fishing Pier catch & keep Tribal permit &required keep Tribalcatch permit required Tribal permit required

Cherokee CherokeeVisitors Visitors Center Cherokee Visitors Center Center

Unto UntoThese TheseHills HillsTicket Ticket Unto These Hills Ticket Office Office Office

Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Islands Park Oconaluftee Islands Park Islands Park

Post Post Office Office

To Sequoyah National Golf Course To Sequoyah To Sequoyah National Golf Course National Golf Course

Unto These Hills Mountainside Mountainside Fire Mountain Fire Mountain Mountainside Theatre Theatre Fire Mountain Bike Trails Theatre Bike Trails Bike Trails Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Oconaluftee Indian Village Indian Village Indian VillageMuseum Museumofofthe the Museum the Cherokeeof Indian Cherokee Indian Cherokee CherokeeHospital Hospital Indian Cherokee Cherokee Hospital Fairgrounds To To Fairgrounds Kituwah Mound To Fairgrounds Kituwah Mound Hospital & Kituwah&Mound Hospital Tsalagi Road Hospital Bryson City & Tsalagi Road Bryson City Road Tsalagi Road Bryson City Road Road Cherokee Cherokee Phoenix Cherokee 1919 Phoenix Theatre 19 Seven Phoenix Theatre Seven Theatre Clans Oconaluftee Seven Clans Oconaluftee Road River Clans Oconaluftee Road River Road River

Fishing in the Smokies

Look for these trout:

Brook Trout The brook trout, a familiar jewel, is the only native game fish in these mountain waters and ranges between 6-8” fully grown. It has brilliant red spots in circles of contrasting colors, light red fins with white edges and is found mostly in small, narrow streams where water runs cold and crisp.

Brown Trout Browns, stocked by the tribal hatchery, are brown to olive in color with green, orange and sometimes red spots encircled in yellow or white. They are found around fallen trees or boulders in large pools and can be found under shaded banks. Large browns reach 18-26.”

There are ample opportunities for quality trout fishing within the Qualla Boundary. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Tribal Management stocks over 400,000 trout a year and helps conserve forest waterways, stream banks, stream entry points, and bridges.

FISHING REGULATIONS For more information about North Carolina fishing, go to NC Fish & Wildlife www.ncwildlife.org

Golden Trout An unmistakably bright, flashy fish, the stocked golden trout species were recently introduced for enjoyment and variety. Originally spawned in 1954, the golden trout has unique value as a trophy fish. Expect the golden to behave like browns and rainbows.

Rainbow Trout The most popular stocked fish, the rainbow trout, displays a wide lateral pink to red stripe on its side, is dark olive on its back, light-colored at the belly and speckled overall. The rainbow will be found in riffles and swift runs as well as open waters.

MEMBER LISTING

Bed & Breakfasts

Accommodations

Fontana Village Resort Hwy 29 North Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 fontanavillage.com

Cabins/ Vacation Rentals Carolina Mountain Vacations 40 Greenlee St Bryson City 828-488-7500 carolinamountainvacations. com Creekside Cabins 1044 West Deep Creek Bryson City 828-488-2235 creeksidecabinsnc.com

Fontana Village Resort Hwy 29 North Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 fontanavillage.com Frontier Motor Lodge & Cabin Rentals 55 Casino Trail Cherokee 828-497-9293

Qualla Motel and Cabins 125 Tee Pee Whittier 828-497-5161 quallacabinsandmotel.com

Happy Holiday RV Village 1553 Wolfetown Rd Cherokee 828-497-9204 happyholidayrv.com

Smoky Mountain Cabins 162 Everett St, Bryson City 828-307-0603 Smcabins.com

Yogi In The Smokies 317 Galamore Bridge Rd Cherokee 877-716-6711 jellystonecherokee.com

Two Rivers Lodge and Cabins 5280 Ela Rd Bryson City 828-488-2284 • 828-488-1275 tworiverslodgenc.com Watershed Cabins 162 Everett St Bryson City 888-604-3075 watershedcabins.com Wildwater Falling Waters Resort P.O. Box 190 Almond 800-451-9972 fallingwatersresort.com

Yellow Rose Realty 203 Slope St Bryson City 800-528-0760 yellowroserealty.com

Campgrounds

Land’s Creek Log Cabins 3336 Balltown Rd Bryson City 888-346-9793 landscreek.com

Flaming Arrow Campground 283 Flaming Arrow Dr Cherokee 877-497-6161 flamingarrowcampground.com

Nantahala Outdoor Center Cabins 13077 Hwy 19 W Bryson City 888-905-7238 noc.com

Fontana Village Resort Hwy 29 North Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 fontanavillage.com

Hotel/Motels

Cherokee Grand Hotel 196 Painttown Rd Cherokee 828-497-0050 cherokeegrandhotel.com

Econo Lodge US 19 & 441 North Cherokee 828-497-4575 choicehotels.com/north-carolina/cherokee/econolodge-hotels/nc475 Fairfield Inn & Suites 568 Painttown Rd Cherokee 828-497-0400 fairfieldinn.com Fontana Village Resort Hwy 29 North Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 fontanavillage.com Frontier Motor Lodge & Cabin Rentals 55 Casino Trail Cherokee 828-497-9293 Great Smokies Inn 1636 Aquoni Rd Cherokee 828-497-2020 greatsmokiesinn.com

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel 777 Casino Trail 828-497-7777 harrahscherokee.com Qualla Motel & Cabins 125 Tee Pee Whittier 828-497-5161 quallacabinsandmotel. com Rivers Edge Motel Hwy 441 North Cherokee 828-497-7995 riversedgecherokee. com Rolling Hills Lodge 739 Tsali Blvd Cherokee 800-255-5371 rollinghillslodge.com

Smoky Mountain Inn & Suites 344 Seven Clans Rd Cherokee 828-497-1649 thesmokymountaininn. com Stonebrook Lodge 436 Painttown Rd Cherokee 828-497-2222 stonebrooklodge.com Two Rivers Lodge & Cabins 5280 Ela Rd Bryson City 828-488-2284 • 828488-1275 tworiverslodgenc.com

Visit the Mountain Farm Museum In a field behind the Oconaluftee Visitor’s Center, the Park Service has recreated a late 19th century mountain farm with authentic log structures moved from their original locations throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the museum and dip into the area’s past.

Enjoy a bonfire Cherokee storytellers present bonfire programs at Oconaluftee Island Park. Children can roast marshmallows and join in on a Cherokee Friendship Dance. The bonfires, which are free, are held throughout the summer at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Float the river Play in the river There are lots of options for tubing and kayaking if you are looking to Oconaluftee Island Park near U.S. spend a little time on the water. The Highways 19 and 441 in downtown Big Cove Route is the most popular Cherokee is free and a great place and the longest trip in Cherokee. A for picnics, fishing and playing in bus transports visitors two miles up the shallow water of the Oconaluftee Big Cove Road for a two-hour float River. down the Oconaluftee River. Be sure to check out cherokeesmokies.com to find one of the multiple companies that offer adventures with pick-up and drop-offs so your trip is covered!

Family Fun

Affordable Cherokee offers an array of activities for the young at heart — no matter what your age. What’s the best part? It’s affordable too!

Dining &

Fontana Village Resort Hwy 20 N Fontana Dam 800-849-2258 fontanavillage.com

Nightlife

Granny’s Kitchen 1098 Paint Town Rd Cherokee 828-497-5010 grannyskitchencherokee. com Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Restaurants 828-497-7777 harrahscherokee.com

Pizza Inn 920 Tsalagi Rd Cherokee 828-497-9143 River’s End Restaurant/NOC 13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City 888-905-7238 noc.com

MEMBER LISTING

Relias Garden/NOC 13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City 888-905-7238 noc.com Slow Joe’s Café/NOC 13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City 888-905-7238 noc.com

MEMBER LISTING

Banking

C ommunity

United Community Bank 3273 US Hwy 441 N Whittier 828-497-3734 ucbi.com

Community Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion P.O. Box 500 Whittier 828-497-9798 archiewatkins.com Cherokee Division of Commerce P.O. Box 455 Cherokee 828-359-6467 visitcherokee.com

Cherokee Historical Assoc.

564 Tsali Blvd. Cherokee 828-497-2111 cherokeehistorical.org Harris Regional 68 Hospital Rd Sylva 828-586-7000 Swain Community Hospital 45 Plateau St Bryson City 828-488-2155 myswaincommunity.com Qualla Sanitizing Company 125 Tee Pee Drive Whittier 828-736-9029 quallasanitizing.com

Education/Career

Transportation

Southwestern Community College 447 College Dr Sylva 828-339-4000 southwesterncc.edu

Cherokee Cabs 125 Tee Pee Drive Whittier 828-269-8621 cherokeecabs.com

Electric

Visitor Information

Duke Power 301 NP&L Loop Franklin 800-777-9898 duke-energy.com

Vacation Information Channel Cherokee 706-878-3335 visitorsinfotv.com

Internet Services

Smoky Mountain Host 4437 Georgia Rd Franklin 800-432-4678 visitsmokies.org

Dnet Internet Services 189 E. Palmer St Franklin 828-349-3638 dnet.net

Newspapers/ Magazine BAEO Publishing PO Box 1871 Bryson City 828-788-2020

Weddings Moonlight Spa and Retreat 129 Moonlight Drive Sylva 828-477-4357 moonlight-spa.com

Realty Bryson City Realty P.O. Box 1277 Bryson City 828-508-4391 brysoncityrealestate.com Yellow Rose Realty P.O. Box 326 Bryson City 800-528-0760 yellowroserealty.com

Want more information on Cherokee, NC? Visit

cherokeesmokies.com

PUBLICATION OF

CHEROKEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Post Office Box 1838 Cherokee, NC 28719 • 828.788.0034 cherokeesmokies.com • info@cherokeesmokies.com