Get to Know Cherokee

Cherokee, North Carolina, is the hub of the surrounding 56,000-acre Qualla Boundary, the proper name for the reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. During the summer, the community buzzes with the voices of people window shopping along Main Street or visiting the Native American attractions. Although Harrah’s Casino draws folks interested in Vegas-style gambling without the big city hustle, Cherokee remains a family-friendly town with a satisfying mix of historic sites and outdoor fun.

A City of Seasons

Don’t expect dramatic highs and lows in Cherokee. Winters see about 11 inches of snow, which occasionally forces the National Park Service to close roads leading into nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But that snow is a boon to local ski resorts and winter tubing hills. Summertime temperatures rarely reach above 85 degrees, but this is the South, so expect humidity. During the driest season, fall, people flock to Blue Ridge Parkway to see the changing leaves. Spring is mild and usually the wettest, but a hike up a mountain can begin with spring flowers and end in snow.

Native American Interests

Expect to immerse yourself in Native American life in Cherokee. "Unto These Hills," an annual outdoor drama presented at the Mountainside Theatre from late May through mid-August, tells the 11,000-year-old story of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Stop by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or the Oconaluftee Indian Village for a living-history glimpse into Indian life. Switch gears and cool off on a tubing trip through lazy rapids and swimming holes, or make the hike to Mingo Falls, a breathtaking 200-foot waterfall.

Doing Business

Tourism, a casino and the Native American arts and crafts industry are the top economic drivers in Cherokee. One of the main entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, frequently the most-visited park in the country, is just a couple of miles north of Cherokee. One of America’s most scenic drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway, begins in Cherokee as well. In the busy downtown area, you can buy arts, crafts and souvenirs, or stop for a meal featuring traditional Cherokee fry bread.

Getting Around Town

Reaching Cherokee requires a drive along winding roads through unforgettable scenery with towering trees and wondrous mountain views. When you exit Interstate 40 to the north, Interstate 75 to the west or Interstate 20 from the south, expect to slow down both mentally and physically. The closest commercial airport is in Asheville, 60 miles to the east. Cherokee Transit operates two routes in downtown Cherokee from early in the morning until late at night, to accommodate casino-goers, every day but Sunday and major holidays.

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