Top Five Things Not To Do in Cherokee N.C.

Western North Carolina is a tourist destination that has more than a casino going for it

I must admit the first time I visited Cherokee, North Carolina – circa 1991 or so – it didn’t make much of an impression. Of course, I was a sullen teenager who found the drive across the mountain full of more tedium than wonder. The fact that the adults in my party were going to a casino that I couldn’t set foot in didn’t help.

I don’t remember many details from that trip, just the overall feeling of boredom or classic teenage ennui. But now that I have a better clarity of vision and Cherokee has grown and developed over the years, I can assure you that today Cherokee, North Carolina is anything but boring.

So, let us help you as you navigate your way out of Gatlinburg, through the National Park and into one of the better tourist destinations in the mountains.

Top five things not to do in Cherokee, NC

1. Don’t overextend yourself at one of the Casinos

From moonshine to other illicit substances, the mountains have their share of vices for anyone who cares to go looking. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is a full-service Vegas-style casino and resort though don’t go expecting it to compare to Vegas.

In addition to the Casino and Sports Book, it has all the resort features you’d want. There are also multiple restaurants including Gordan Ramsey’s Truffles Pub and Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar. It hosts a variety of comedy and music shows. Some of them on the bill for this summer include The Black Crowes, Jeff Foxworthy, Wynonna Judd and Gabriel Iglesias.

While we certainly support making adult choices while doing adult things like gambling, we would be remiss if we didn’t urge caution. Gambling – like many mountain vices – is best done in moderation. If you have a competitive personality – like myself. Or have a healthy belief in your own luck – like myself. Have ever believed you could use your secret mind powers to control dive – what? Is that just me? If you can relate, then gambling can pose something of a slippery slope. We strongly recommend setting an amount you’re willing to lose and then walking away once you’ve lost it.

Do I believe that one day I will be struck by the lightning bolt and walk away a big winner? Firmly, I do. Am I pragmatic enough to know that I’m crazy for believing that? Yes, I am.

2. Don’t get so comfortable embracing the local culture that you overstep

I do not speak for the Cherokee people, of course. And it is important to remember that they are not monolith. In other words, each member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee has their own unique opinions, ideas and comfort level in dealing with tourists coming into their community.

In my experience, the Cherokee by and large are happy to share parts of the culture with anyone who is interested. From the classic outdoor – now in its 75th year – “Unto These Hills” to a variety of demonstrations about the Cherokee traditions and way of life, it’s important for these stories and customs to be shared.

But don’t overstep. Don’t misunderstand. There’s a deliberate process that goes with being a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Your great grandmother having “Cherokee blood” does not put you into the club. Most people who come and visit Cherokee understand are respectful. But a few tend to think of native peoples as a relic of the past – something or someone they saw on TV growing up – and they treat them as such rather than the modern and equal people they are.

3. Don’t forget to explore the natural side of Cherokee

The mountains of Western North Carolina might not be as hyped as those in East Tennessee; But they are every bit as beautiful. From the hiking trails to places like Mingo Falls to the wide fields near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the mountains of North Carolia are amazingly beautiful. As a bonus, if you’ve spent most of your time on the Tennessee side, you’ve got a whole lot of new-to-you natural beauty to explore.

In addition, the mountains around Cherokee are home to the Smokies’ elk herds. Reintroduced to the Smokies in 2001, it still gives me a thrill every time I see an elk in the mountains. Some people go on and on about seeing bears in the mountains. However, bears are almost as common as deer anymore. Everything I go to the park it’s bear after bear after bear. At this point, I see bears more often than I see most of my family members. But elk? Because I live on the Tennessee side of the mountains, elk sightings remain a rare thing.

4. Don’t skip the Oconaluftee Island Park

A few years ago, when my oldest was just starting out in travel softball, our coaches passed on the traditional tournament destinations in Johnson City, Cleveland or Crossville, TN. We liked to drive over the mountain to play in Cherokee. The ball fields were beautiful, mountaintop with a nice scenic view. Even on the hottest day, you’d get a nice breeze and were surrounded by rich green mountains. It was a lot better than some of the other regional fields where your best view was of the parking lot.

We made a lot of good memories on that field. But among the best were the days when we got put out early and – after the appropriate amount of doleful soul searching and addressing of relative shortcomings – the team would adjourn to the Oconaluftee Island Park for wading, swimming and general tomfoolery.

The park – so named for the island in the middle of the mostly shallow Oconaluftee River – is great for picnics, swimming, wading, fishing or tubing. There’s plenty of room to stretch your legs and play and lots of shady spots to rest. You can also – on occasion – photo bomb wedding party photos being taken there. But I would never condone – much less participate – in such childish activities.

5. Don’t miss the scenic drives

Whether you’re coming through Newfound Gap on Highway 441 or tooling around the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway – whatever parts of it are open in the wake of Hurricane Helene – the scenic drives around Cherokee are nearly unmatched.

Yes, the very thing that bored the teenage me to tears is now a highlight of any trip to Cherokee or the mountains of Western North Carolina and beyond. Drive the mountains around Cherokee, y’all. And make that surly teenager in the back seat sit up and pay attention. One day he might even thank you for it.

Have you visited Western North Carolina? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!