'''Cherokee''' [http://www.cherokee-nc.com/] is a town in Swain County, North Carolina within the '''Qualla Boundary''', the proper name of the Cherokee Indian (Eastern Band) Reservation.

Understand

This is the center of Cherokee culture in North Carolina (and indeed the eastern United States). Many natives call this area home, the Cherokee language is also spoken by many in this area.

The Cherokee people are eastern Native Americans, do not ask them where the tipis are. Tipis were made by western Native Americans.

Get in

Cherokee is only accessible by mountain roads. Most visitors will come from the direction of Knoxville or Asheville.

Get around

See

Take in the culture, see the mountains, this is a very nice area of the country.

Do

Visit the '''Oconaluftee Indian Village''' [http://www.cherokee-nc.com/oconaluftee_intro.php] and learn about Cherokee Native American culture. The tour takes you through various live demonstrations of Cherokee life, including two educational and informative talks. Follow the trail through the gardens to learn how the Cherokee used various types of vegetation in their life.

A popular attraction in Cherokee is '''Harrah's Casino''', which is owned by the local Cherokee tribe. There are a limited number of other attractions in the area, most of which are related either to Indian culture or natural landmarks.

For those who are seeking refuge from the casino's bells and whistles, the area around Cherokee offers some of the East Coast's best scenic vistas.

Buy

There are a number of stores in the town, almost all of which sell Indian-themed merchandise.

Eat

There are several franchise's in Cherokee such as McDonald's or Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

Drink

Sleep

  • '''Best Western Great Smokies Inn''', Highway 441 N & Aquoni Road, ''+1 828'' 497-2020, Fax: ''+1 828'' 497-3903, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=34060].
  • '''Cherokee Microtel Inn & Suites''', 674 Casino Trail, ''+1 828'' 497-7800, Fax: ''+1 828'' 497-7803, [http://hotels.microtelinn.com/cherokeenc].
  • '''Fairfield Inn & Suites Cherokee''', 568 Painttown Road, ''+1 828'' 497-0400, Fax: ''+1 828'' 497-4040, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/AVLCK].
  • '''Holiday Inn''', 37 Tsalagi Road, ''+1 828'' 497-9181, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/chrnc].
  • '''Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites''', 376 Painttown Road, ''+1 828'' 497-3113, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/chrke].
  • Cherokee Lodge. 593 Acquoni Road. 284972226. ww.motelsincherokee.com.
  • Raccoon Ridge Properties. 62 Everett Street. 28.399.9765. ttp://www.CherokeeVacationRental.com. Offering several privately owned cabins for rent. Raccoon Ridge Properties has owned and managed luxury cabins in the Bryson City/Cherokee area since 2005. They pride themselves in providing the highest quality and comfort at an affordable price. Raccoon Ridge Properties strives to make your next vacation to the mountains a memorable one. Their selection includes waterfront and mountain view cabins.

    Get out

  • Cherokee is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  • Go to explore the rest of the Appalachian Mountains.