Dive into all there is to know about the story of the Cherokee Indians. There’s also an interactive exhibit specifically designed for kids, so the whole family will enjoy this learning experience. You’ll be able to sift through dozens of photos, animations, videos, music, arts and crafts, and more. This award-winning museum is home to artifacts preserving over 13,000 years of native history. This is probably one of the most important activities you should do during your visit to Cherokee, North Carolina. Have a look at our article on waterfall hikes in Gatlinburg for some amazing hiking suggestions! Museum of the Cherokee Indian When you’re done with the adventure activities, there are also plenty of good spots for camping and picnicking. You can also visit historical sites within the park, such as the Mingus Mill and the Cataloochee Valley. The most popular hiking trails are the Oconaluftee River Trail, the Mingus Creek Trail, and the Smokemont Nature Trail. There are also plenty of hiking and biking trails you can use to explore on your own two feet. You can check out GetYourGuide’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self Driving Trip if you’re not sure where to start. With 300 miles of roads, driving is probably the fastest way to discover all the park has to offer. It’s also the most-visited national park in the country.
The beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans over 800 square miles of land here, so there’s plenty to explore. The Great Smokey Mountains are one of the mains reasons that most people visit Cherokee, North Carolina. Things to Do in Cherokee, North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains National Park With so many facets to its unique personality, what exactly are the best Cherokee, NC, activities? We recommend getting a good mix of everything, which is why we’ve put together a list for you. The vibe of Cherokee is small town meets mountain oasis meets native culture just waiting to be discovered. Cherokee may be in the South, but culturally you’ll be transported to a whole different world. Or, hit up Santa’s Land for a taste of Christmas all year round. As a result, there are tons of things to do in Cherokee, NC for nature and history lovers.Įxplore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located close to the Tennessee border, Cherokee North Carolina is home to incredible nature, rich indigenous history, and friendly people. If your children are learning about the gold rush, there is no better way to spark their interest in history then by letting them get their hands dirty.Looking for things to do in Cherokee during your next visit? We can help with that! Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine – Cherokee – In downtown Cherokee you can not only mine for gem stones but also pan for gold.
The dirt you are sifting through is full of naturally occurring gems, some of which are of facet quality. The natural stream that feeds the water flume keeps the water nice and chilly as it runs downhill. Experts are on hand to help you see what you have found.Ĭherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine – Franklin – The Cherokee Ruby and & Sapphire Mine tries to keep it ‘real.’ If you are looking for an outdoor activity this is the place to go. The earth that you sift through has both native and enriched gemstone sin it.
With the promise of hot boiled peanuts on the marquee outside, you get to sit under a covered area that contains the sluice or the water trough that you use to mine gems. Jackson Hole Gem Mine – Highlands – This roadside attraction on the road between Franklin and Highlands, has been attracting visitors for a long time. You can pan for gold, sift in a sluice for gems and in some cases even go dig the dirt out of the mountain face itself. And the people that still own that mine land, have decided to give those visitors to the Smokies the chance to try their hands at finding that treasure in the Smokies. In modern times, the land that once housed big operations that mined the hillsides, is now a tourist mecca.
And while they found some wealth and they did mine gems from the mountains, the gold rush they were hoping for never really took off. People came to the mountains look for what they hoped would be the next gold rush in the country’s history. All of a sudden, the economy in these quiet mountain towns changed. When the first settlers came to the Smokies to put down roots, they discovered that the soil of the mountains contained precious and semi-precious stones. The gem mining industry in North Carolina has been a part of that culture for decades.