18+ Best & Fun Things To Do In Cherokee, NC | 2024 Guide!
Fun Things To Do In Cherokee
Fun Things To Do In Cherokee. Cherokee, North Carolina, is a town in the Great Smoky Mountains that has a lot of history and things to see, do, and discover. This old town has beautiful views, fun things to do outside, places for families to visit, shopping, and so much more.
Are you thinking about going to Cherokee, NC, and want to know what fun things to do and see this cute town has to offer? We’re going to show you the 20 best fun and interesting things to do in Cherokee, NC. Your search is over.
Cherokee has something for everyone, whether you love nature, history, or trying out different cultures.
18+ Fun and Great Things To Do In Cherokee, NC 2024
1. Museum Of The Cherokee Indian
Going to the Museum of the Cherokee Indians is a fun thing to do in Cherokee, North Carolina. Artifacts from more than 13,000 years of local history can be seen and learned about in this museum.
Through interesting and interactive displays, you can learn a lot about the Cherokee people’s past and culture during your visit. Find out about the tribe’s ancestral places, how they lived in the past, and how they made art, music, and language.
The address is 589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA.
2. Oconaluftee Indian Village
Want to do something fun in Cherokee? Explore the Oconaluftee Indian Village to feel like you’re living in a Cherokee village in the 18th century.
As you walk around, you can watch artists make pottery, jewelry, and baskets, and you can talk to locals who show you how they do traditional Cherokee daily activities. Also, see how the locals get ready for battle and be amazed by a blowgun show.
People from the Oconaluftee Indian Village live in the village, so it’s more than just a place to visit.
This is the address: 218 Drama Road, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA.
3. Drive Along The Blue Ridge Parkway
A free thing to do in Cherokee is to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the views. Take in the stunning views of the mountains nearby, the colorful scenery (especially in the fall), and the beautiful places to have a picnic.
There are 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway on the southwest side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It ends at the southern entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, close to Cherokee. Take in the natural beauty of the area by stopping at lookouts and taking pictures that you’ll remember.
Cherokee, NC 28719 is the address.
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best things to do outside in Cherokee, NC. The mountain covers an amazing 800 square miles of untouched nature, and it’s no surprise that it’s the most visited national park in the whole of America.
Put on your boots and hit the trails in one of the country’s most beautiful national parks, which is full of different kinds of wildlife, beautiful rivers, and wide views. You can pick from many paths that are good for people of all skill levels, from easy strolls to difficult hikes.
Cherokee, NC 28719, United States
5. Oconaluftee Islands Park
The Osconaluftee Islands Park is a fun place for families to spend the day in Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the fast-moving Oconaluftee River, the park is an island of calm. It’s only a short walk from downtown.
You can take a walk along the river, have a picnic in the beautiful scenery, or just sit back and relax on one of the benches by the water. The park is a peaceful place to get away from the busy town center. There are also basic services in the park, such as bathrooms and parking.
This is the address: US-441, Cherokee, NC 28719.
6. Mountain Farm Museum
Visit the Mountain Farm Museum if you want to find the best places to stay in Cherokee, North Carolina. The museum is made up of old log houses that were found all over the Smoky Mountains and put together outside.
Visit old log cabins, barns, and farm buildings that show how people used to live and work in the Appalachians. Learn about the lives of early settlers and how to farm, and talk to experts who show you how to do things like blacksmithing and weaving.
Put your address in Cherokee, NC 28719, USA.
7. Cherokee Indian Fair
The Cherokee Indian Fair is a fun and free thing to do with kids in Cherokee. There are cultural displays, music, dance, arts and crafts, and thrilling carnival rides at the yearly carnival, which is a lot of fun.
Enjoy the lively atmosphere as the fairgrounds come to life with Cherokee customs’ sights, sounds, and tastes. Enjoy tasty traditional foods, be amazed by carefully made art, and go on exciting rides that make you feel like it’s Christmas.
545 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
8. Go Horseback Riding
Mountain horseback riding is one of the coolest things for people to do in Cherokee. Get on your horse and go on a guided tour through the beautiful Cherokee woods.
Take a leisurely ride on gentle, well-trained horses through the beautiful landscapes, meandering rivers, and dense woods. You can connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the area in a great way.
9. Sequoyah National Golf Club
Going to the Sequoyah National Golf Club for a round of golf is just one of many things golf fans can do in Cherokee. The golf course is in the Great Smoky Mountains, in a valley with oak, fir, and flowering trees. It’s about a seven-minute drive south of Cherokee’s city center.
The Sequoyah National Golf Club was created by Robert Trent Jones II. Golfers of all skill levels will find it challenging and rewarding. As you play golf on the fairways and greens, take in the beautiful natural settings.
79 Cahons Rd, Whittier, NC 28789, USA this is the address.
10. Qualla Arts And Crafts Mutual, Inc
Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Inc. is the oldest and most important Native American company in the country. You can look through a lot of real Cherokee products, like pottery, baskets, jewelry, and wood carvings.
The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual shows off the work of local artists and gives people a one-of-a-kind chance to buy items that are representative of the Cherokee people’s rich cultural history.
645 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
11. Eat Traditional Cherokee Cuisine
To eat native Cherokee food is one of the best things to do in Cherokee. Check out the special taste of Cherokee food.
Try foods that will make your mouth water, like fry bread, elk chili, trout, and wild game. Many places in the city serve traditional Cherokee food made with local ingredients and honoring the region’s culinary history.
12. Cherokee Botanical Garden And Nature Trail
One free thing to do in Cherokee, North Carolina is to check out the Cherokee Botanical Garden and Nature Trail. The garden has a herb garden and a half-mile walking path through a mixed pine and hardwood forest. It has more than 150 kinds of plants that are native to the Great Smoky Mountains.
As you walk along the peaceful nature trail, take in the beauty of the local plants and animals. Find out how the Cherokee people used plants in the past, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this secret gem.
13. Cherokee Mountainside Theatre
Going to a live show at the Cherokee Mountainside Theatre at night is one of the best things one can do in Cherokee.
Enjoy the magic of outdoor entertainment with the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains in the background. The Mountainside Theatre puts on interesting shows that use music, dance, and theater to tell the story of the Cherokee people.
Pick up at 688 Drama Road, Cherokee, NC
14. Go Whitewater Rafting On The Nantahala River
Rafting on the Nantahala River through rough water is a fun thing to do with your family near Cherokee. The Nantahala River is in Bryson City, close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s a great place for tourists to go on a journey.
There are rafting trips for people of all skill levels, so you can enjoy the beauty and excitement of the river no matter what level you are. Take in the beautiful scenery as you paddle through the rough water and feel the rush of energy.
Bryson City, NC 28713
15. Fire Mountain Trails
Want to do something fun and interesting this weekend in Cherokee, NC? Then the Fire Mountain Trails are a great place to find new fun and adventure.
Over 10.5 miles of tracks make up this network, and you can use them to run, ride a bike, or go hiking. The Fire Mountain Trails are famous because of the flow of their different roads, which are full of fun features like berms, rock gardens, blinds, tables, and quick, easy climbs. They are close to the Oconaluftee Indian Village.
State Road 1361, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
16. Mingo Falls
In the area around Cherokee, North Carolina, the Mingo Falls is one of the most beautiful places to visit. The Mingo Falls are pretty much the largest and most impressive waterfalls in the southern Appalachians. They are close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and drop more than 120 feet into the air.
After a short walk to the falls, find a beautiful spot to eat your picnic while listening to the sound of water falling. Don’t forget to bring your camera to record the beauty of the falls and the lush plants that surround them.
17. Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine
One fun thing to do in Cherokee, NC is to check out the Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine, which is in the downtown area. You can take your kids and pets there.
A gem mine is a great place to spend hours looking for valuable stones like gold and rubies. With the help of knowledgeable staff, you can pan for gems and find hidden treasures, making moments that will last a lifetime and one-of-a-kind gifts.
971 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719, USA
18. Soco Falls
Today, going to the Soco Falls is one of the coolest things to do in Cherokee, NC. It is one of the many Cherokee rivers, and Soco Falls is one of the most beautiful places for tourists to visit in town.
The bigger stream at the falls is 120 feet high. During your trip, stop for a moment and enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds you.
US-19, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 USA
19. Fontana Dam
Want to do something different near Cherokee, NC? After that, take a nice drive to Fontana Dam. Fontana Dam is the largest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains. It stands 480 feet tall.
Take in the stunning views of Fontana Lake and the mountains nearby as you look at this engineering wonder. Take your time walking along the dam and take beautiful pictures of this impressive building.
20. Visit The Cherokee Bonfire
Want to do something fun and different in Cherokee at night? After that, go to the Cherokee Bonfire. At the Oconaluftee Islands Park, gather around the bonfire and listen to storytellers who know how to tell traditional Cherokee stories and tales.
Immerse yourself in Cherokee culture and practices to feel the warmth of the fire, the magic of the stories, and the sense of community.
At the point where 441 and Hwy. 19 meet on Oconaluftee Island Park.