The GOOD Beautiful scenic driving and views. Cute tourist attractions and shops. Cherokee has the casino and museum as some of the biggest attractions here. The masks in the museum were fascinating. I liked the museum and seeing the painted bears around the city. The coin machines to make your personalized imprinted Cherokee coins were a favorite of mine. The BAD & THE SAD: We did see some tweekers getting high in their cars. Lots of trailer parks and abandoned buildings. The people in the town's museum were nice, but the staff seemed quiet and not very friendly & communicative. The casino had its high and lows. Everyone seemed to be more somber in this tourist town that depends on tourists for their income. It was kind of depressing. read more

I am a big fan of the Cherokee nation and its capital. I must say that I don't always like all the tacky shops with moccasins and rebel flags (seriously in this day and age), but the museum, culture, people, and the river park are aces. There is a big casino there for those who like that sort of stuff...and you can find boiled peanuts. Food is ...eh...still looking for a great local restaurant but I know one exists...ill find it. I read more

Interesting history behind this city (once reservation), but it was not the Indian village atmosphere I expected. We first discovered this place on a drive up Hwy 441 from Atlanta to Pigeon Forge and have stopped while passing through about 4x since. Located just before the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park, this little Village sits along the banks of the Oconaluftee River. Clean waters and low depth make this a great spot in the hot summer months to stop for a dip. Very cool walking bridge across the river also makes for great family pictures. If you are looking for good eats, on the east side of town is Harrah's Cherokee Casino. Inside you will find Paula Deen's Kitchen... a very classy southern decor to match it's classy southern cooking icon. This Location has both a menu with entrees and a all-you-can-eat buffet., but not quite as good as the original Savannah restaurant Lady & Sons. On one trip we stopped to visit a little burger stand with short hours of operation just across Hwy 441 from the Indian stage, where you can experience "real Indian" tribal dances (not to be confused with the theater). If reviews were narrated, you would've heard a large chuckle with the last part of that statement. The show is kind of leaves you with the feeling like the guys performing are the town drunks. Didn't feel very authentic sitting 12 feet from the main road in a parking lot below the canopy of what was once a gas station, but we tried to go with it. The warriors come out with their wardrobes and chanting on a makeshift stage, but then soon comes "Chief", who acts like it's a privilege for you to be in his presence. Seemed more like he was annoyed to be doing a performance that interested in showing you his culture. The end of this show is where it all gets interesting. They begin to pass a bucket for donations to the performance and craft. Good enough, I'm for that. But after the first passing of the bucket, the speech comes about how they all have small children (one with a new born) and the bucket passes AGAIN. BUT WAIT, THEN there's the "Special offering" for the Chief... and my patience begins to run thin!!! If that was not enough, try to take a picture with any of them. You guessed it, gotta pay for that too... even though it's YOUR camera!!! LOL After that experience we'd had enough excitement for the day and continued our journey to Pigeon Forge. But I guess we are gluttons for punishment, because we decided to stop again on the way home. Did the gem mining thing, and although you do get a fair amount of emeralds and other jewels... it was not very exciting. The Indian Museum is way overpriced for the exhibits they offer and we didn't bother to visit the Theater. There may be other things that are really exciting, but we didn't find them. All in all its something you can say you did if you are passing through, but UNLESS you are a gambler I don't really consider this as a destination city. However, it is a reasonable way to kill some time on a road trip, kinda like an excursion on a cruise! http://www.westernncattractions.com/cherres.htm read more

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I've been coming here for over 20 years. I've seen this place grow and change. I was actually worried when they got the casino, but the revenue Harrah's brings in for the community has bought huge improvements. I love coming in the summer-- it's beautiful, immersive, and I can go swimming at the river park. There's a company that offers tubing there too. Money goes back to the people and into the cultural heritage. I went on a day trip to Cherokee and got to sit in at a bonfire storytelling they host at the park. Apparently it stops after Labor day, but they had extended it due to popularity. This was back in 2013. The casino is fun too. I don't gamble much, but the hotel is nice, the buffet is usually pretty good and they have restaurant options. I've only stayed there since my parents managed to get free rooms from their times playing there. Outside of the casino, Paul's Diner isn't bad either. I saw they offer frybread with wojapi sauce. I had their frog legs and some sweet potato fries. If you want to shop local and avoid imported junk, Try Qualla Arts or the craft booths by Oconaluftee park run by the locals. Talking Leaves is also great if you want Cherokee and Appalachain-centric books. There may be more that's been added or moved, so check out some things and ask around when you get there. Just outside of Cherokee is Bearmeat's Indian Den, which you'll pass if you're coming in from Asheville or Maggie Valley. It has a lot of awesome local stuff too--Just be careful when pulling back out onto the road because the shop sits on a blind spot! Honesty, Cherokee is about a 4.8 to me at this point. The tourist traps are slowly disappearing (they're a necessary evil in this world, and Harrah's could have almost been considered one if they hadn't bothered to appropriate it towards their needs and aesthetics). Oh, and it's a hellish drive in. 1-40 is narrow, and 19's ascents and descents will wreck your eardrums (though an easier route than 1-40). That can't be helped, though; you will know exactly why their ancestors hid in these mountains during the genocide. If you love the outdoors and Native American History, you have to go here! read more

If you like tacky souviner shops, you'll be in heaven! I have visited this town several times I was a child. It was always incorporated into our Gatlinburg TN vacation. Our visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was always part of the drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. It was always a cool spot to land on the other side of the mountains. I can review on the casino as I don't gamble that much and I've never visited the casino. My whole family loves tacky, tourist shops and there is a decent collection here. There is also a good collection of restaurants in town. We would always grab a late lunch before heading back to Gatlinburg. read more

Drove over a hour over the mountain from Gatlinburg to visit. Wanting to do some shopping and visit the museum. But I'm a 100% disabled vet with medical reasons that I cannot wear a mask. And in NC under governors order I am exempt from having to wear one. However we could not go anywhere, I mean no where with out wearing one, they were even giving tickets to people that did not have one on and fining the store or restaurant if I'm in there. So couldn't even get something to eat before turning around and driving another hour back to Gatlinburg, TN. Won't go back and I did go often in past to casino... no more. read more

My husband and I visited this town a few days ago. We had fun going to the museum and checking out the local shops. Today we returned to go to a bear zoo.... On our way to the Bear Zoo we were coming down the mountain and I had an SUV riding my bumper the whole way so I tapped my breaks to kind of say hey back off please. After I did this the people in the car flipped me off, whipped around me and then pull on the side of the road trying to get me to pull over. I ignored this and continued up to the red light. The SUV pulled up next to us and continued yelling and a indian guy got out of the SUV, walked up to my car and punched my husband. I pulled away going threw the red light and they followed us. I called 911 and was told to go to a gas station and wait for police. 30 minutes later the police came up and said there was nothing he can do because they most likely we back on the reservation. Just an FYI be cautious of the locals!!!! read more

Ok, so this is where I've been for the past week (so I didn't even know I got ROTD, I'm shedding a little tear). Well, partially here, and partially in some freaky death defying cabin perched on stilts in Tennessee with no cell reception or internet (gasp). Anywho, I'm trying to review Cherokee, North Carolina. Formerly the Cherokee Indian Reservation, but (according to the guy making the speech) they (The Cherokee People) have bought the land free and clear. So, why the heck was I there, well, my hubby and for obvious reasons my spawn are part Cherokee and this was a sort of rediscovering your roots trip. Now that I've explained that, I'll get on with the review. So, hubby was a little freaked out w/the place. Upon entering, there are a bunch of broke down (and closed) hotels, etc. Followed by The Little Princess Cafe (which he says is derogatory). Soon after we drove by an ez up tent under which sat a guy in, well, feathers, smoking a cigarette and beating a drum while kids played musical chairs. So at this point hubby is wondering where all the revenue from the casino is actually going, to which his mom says, didn't you read the annual report they sent you, to which he says, well, no.......but I digress. We continued on because our main purpose was to watch the outdoor drama Unto These Hills (which I'm gonna need to review seperately). We came to the fair grounds which were large and there was a pow wow which was lacking in the wow. Then we decided to go visit the authentic Indian village which you have to tour and it was a-ight. The end of it was the best part cause there were two diff speakers who illuminated a lot of things and I learned things I did not previously know. The beginning of the tour was hard to understand cause the guide had a crazy heavy southern accent (and I've heard a lot of accents in my time) and I had to sort of translate in my mind while she spoke to figure out what she was actually saying. Ok, I could go on, but I won't. read more

The city of Cherokee has a lot of reasons to visit, and a few detractions. In order to survive and scratch out a meager existence, Cherokee's main source of income came from tourists passing through to other places. Understandably, there are a lot of gift shops, tourist traps, restaurants, hotels/motels and individuals catering to the general stereotypical image that most have of Native Americans (i.e. The Little Princess Motel, Buck & Squaw Crafts, dancing ceremonies performed by individuals in Day-Glo outfits generally associated with the prairie tribes...not the Day-Glo part...but you get the idea). For better or worse (depending on who is being asked), the casino has brought a lot of money into the community, enabling it to lift itself up. Slowly, the old tourist traps are fading into the past, being replaced by businesses catering to those seeking adventures in the outdoors, or learning about cultural history. The main income is still tourism. But now it's far less of a trap and more a destination. Being situated in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains as well as conveniently located to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,Cherokee is an excellent jump-off point for all outdoor activities. Culturally speaking, there are three major reasons to visit Cherokee: The Theater, the village, and the museum. Every night, except Sunday, the Mountainside Theater presents the drama 'Unto These Hills' - a live-stage drama that traces the history of the Cherokee through time, to the present day. The Ocanaluftee Indian Village recreates and interactive Cherokee village showing what life was like both before and during the arrival of European "settlers." The Museum of The Cherokee Indian is not only a source of the preservation of the Cherokee culture and past, but is a great source for individuals doing genealogical work. As previously noted,Cherokee is a wonderful destination. There are a few things, though to steer clear from and be aware of: The gift shops: The majority of what is sold in these trinket outlets were made.....in China. And the ones with the going out of business signs? They've been 'going out of business' for years. Best to avoid. If you are interested in purchasing actual objects made locally, gift stores selling these products will advertise itprominently, and all merchandise is normally certified. If you don't see the certification or the clerk/store owner cannot answer where it was made in a satisfactory manner, go somewhere else. The Tourist traps: they are a bit "iffy". Some have a campy value, while others are just a waste of money. A small amusement park centered on Santa Claus? It's a trap, but what the hell. Panning for gold or jewels? Not so much. Booze: Cherokee is dry, and for a lot of good reasons. The one and only place you can get an alcoholic beverage, is in the casino. Generally speaking, Cherokee is a great tourist destination, which offers something for just about everyone, and if you stay away from the blatantly obvious tourist traps, you are sure to have a great time. read more

Came here on Christmas Day after spending time in the Smokies. First thing noticed, there's nothing open. NOTHING. Except for the Harrah's casino and the hotel, this place was shut down tighter than a prison, which was understandable since it was Christmas, but not even the gas station mart was open! In other towns across America we've stayed in on Christmas, at least something was open. It seems like Cherokee is the exception.We couldn't find anywhere to eat since all the restaurants were closed, and when my dad and I went to the casino to go get food, except I wasn't allowed in because I was underage. Not even the casinos in Vegas will deny you entrance! Is this a North Carolina law or something? So my dad went into go get food, except it seemed like all the visitors in town had descended upon the one open attraction, so he had to wait. He couldn't do takeout, so he had to eat and then take the leftovers and give it to me at the hotel. The hotel itself was average, but that's for another review. And the locals! Jeez, you'd think Southern hospitality existed out here, but they were as rude and condescending to us as could be. Will never come back to Cherokee again; taking my money across the state border into Tennessee where I know they have better service. read more