Cherokee: Modern entertainment and ancient traditions
In Cherokee, you will find a unique mix of modern and ancient, with 21st century entertainment played out on a backdrop of time-honored cultural tradition.
Known locally as the Qualla Boundary, the 57,000 acres is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and marks the ancestral home of the Cherokee Nation, once one of the largest Indian tribes on the continent.
Today, Cherokee is a melting pot of old and new, as tribal leaders try to balance the preservation of Cherokee's singular heritage and cater to the contemporary wants and needs of its visitors.
Though that tradition had threatened to disappear — traditional artisan materials like rivercane and white oak were disappearing, the rich and complex Cherokee language was spoken by a dwindling few — efforts by the tribe to preserve and cultivate their customs and culture are underway.
And of course, no mention of Cherokee is complete without a nod to the region's largest employer and, in recent years, its central feature, Harrah's Cherokee Hotel and Casino.
Harrah's is the only casino in the state, and it is also the state of North Carolina's most visited tourist attraction. Famed Southern chef Paula Deen recently christened one of her namesake restaurants in the casino and the facility is expanding regularly to include more games, restaurants and lodging options.
The casino's entertainment center offers world-class entertainment, with upcoming shows featuring the likes of Credence Clearwater Revival and ZZ Top.
Just up the road, however, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village and"Unto These Hills," a world-renowned outdoor drama that traces Cherokee history and breathes life into the ancient tribal culture.
The reservation's many parks offer great picnic spots and there are plenty of well-equipped campgrounds. Fishing in the Cherokee waters is among the best anywhere. Those rivers were the host for the U.S. Fly Fishing Championships in May of this year.
And if you're looking for the mountain kitsch the town has long been known for — fudge, wood carvings, beaded moccasins — it's all still here, lining the main drag that's bustling in the summer.
So whatever it is you come for, you'll leave Cherokee with a distinctive experience that's as unique as the Cherokee people.
Attractions
• Cherokee Helicopters — Flights over the mountains. 264 Casino Trail. 828.497.5797.
• Harrah's Cherokee Casino — You'll find a diverse selection of entertainment at Harrah's, from slots and video gambling to restaurants and big-name performers taking the casino's mainstage. Visitors must be 21 to enter. Always open. 1.800.HARRAHS.
• Kituhwa Mound — According to Cherokee legend, Kituwah was one of the seven mother towns and was once the largest ancestral settlement in the area. The mound, bordered by the Tuckasegee River and the low hills of the Smokies, is all that remains of it. The mound was reclaimed in 1995 when the land was purchased by the tribe. Located on Old Route 19. 828.497.2771.
• Tribal Grounds Coffee — A community meeting and culture space and a coffee and espresso bar that features local artwork and handcrafted furniture. 516 Tsali Blvd. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays. 828.497.0707.
• Mingus Mill — A restored 1886 grist mill, or corn grinding mill, still churns into action fro 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The mill is hydropowered, and its metal turbine made it one of them most advanced mills in the area when it was completed
• The Museum of the Cherokee Indian — For a complete, interactive immersion in the history, customs and beliefs of the Cherokee, look no further than the museum. Exhibits explore religious beliefs, traditions and the history of Cherokee settlements in Western North Carolina, as well as the gradual change brought by white colonists. Located at U.S. 441 and Drama Road. Open daily at 9 a.m. 828.497.3481.
• The Oconaluftee Indian Village — The Cherokee of the 18th century comes to life at this working replica of a village. A Council House gives visitors a glimpse into the Cherokee system of government, while craftspeople demonstrate things like basket and canoe making and arrowhead carving. Located near the Mountainside Theater of U.S. 441 North. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 828.497.2315.
• Trout Fishing — The ponds and streams of Cherokee are replete with trout, stocked with rainbow, brook and brown varieties. Unlike other areas, daily licenses are sold for $7, and multi-day discounts are available. The season runs from March through February. 828.497.1786.
• The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual — If you want to take home a piece of Cherokee, authentic, handmade crafts created by hundreds of local artisans are for sale at this co-op. Here you can find hand-made baskets, drums, rugs, carving and other examples of Cherokee craft. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 828.497.3103.
• Santa's Land — If one day a year isn't enough for you, visit Santa's Land, a theme park that offers a petting zoo, paddle boats, rides and, of course, appearances by Santa and his helpers. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located off U.S. 19. 828.497.9191.
Dining and Nightlife
* Note that no alcohol is served or sold on reservation lands except at Harrah's Casino.
• Fresh Market Square Buffet — A huge selection with international favorites, a seafood buffet on Fridays and breakfast on the weekends. Located at Harrah's Cherokee Casino. 1.800.HARRAHS.
• Newfound Lodge Restaurant — Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. 1303 Tsali Blvd. 828.497.4590.
• Paul's Diner — Featuring Cherokee items such as frybread, buffalo burgers and bean bread along with burgers and more. Tsali Blvd. 828.497.3375.
Visitor Center
• The Cherokee Welcome Center is at 498 Tsali Blvd. 800.438.1601 or www.cherokee-nc.com.
Resources
• U.S. Post Office — 671 Tsali Blvd. 828.497.3891.
• Qualla Boundary Public Library — Open Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 810 Ocquoni Rd. 828.497.1762.
