There are many things to do in Cherokee, North Carolina, whether you want to explore nature or the arts. The town is located on a reservation and is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. Visitors can visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, which preserves the lifestyle of the Cherokee of the 18th century. During the summer months, Mountainside Theatre presents a production of the dramatic “Unto These Hills.” Hiking trails through the Appalachian Mountains and camping are also popular.

Oconaluftee Islands Park

If you’re looking for an outdoor oasis in Cherokee, North Carolina, you’ll want to visit the Oconaluftee Islands Park. This park is located on an island in the Oconaluftee River and is a great place for families. It features a river that’s filled with smooth river rocks, which are perfect for splashing around in. The park also has nature trails, picnic areas, and piers for fishing.

Visitors can also visit the Cherokee Museum, where they can learn about Cherokee history in an interactive environment. This museum features life-size figures, paintings of major events in the Cherokee culture, artifacts, and videos that tell the story of the Cherokee people. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and offers a variety of educational exhibits.

The park has a bamboo forest and is popular with nature lovers. However, the main attraction of the park is the river. Children and adults alike love to play in the river and cool off. The park also offers picnic tables where you can purchase ice cream or other treats. The park also boasts a 120-foot waterfall, Mingo Falls. This waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Appalachia region.

While exploring the park, families can also enjoy the museum. Visitors can enjoy a variety of lifelike structures and animals, including tigers and lemurs. There are also many activities for children, including canoeing and paddling in the lake. The park is a great destination for families with young children.

Whether you’re looking for hiking or mountain biking trails, this park is perfect for outdoor activities. There are a number of paths available, which are perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike. The park is also close to the Oconaluftee Indian village. A hike to Mingo Falls is less than half a mile and is easy, but it’s worth the effort to take in the view.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is an excellent place to learn about the Cherokee culture. The exhibits feature the Cherokee art, including photographs, digital films, and holographic displays. The museum also includes a small gift shop. Visitors can also participate in a Cherokee cultural festival in August.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian includes a collection of artifacts dating back more than 11,000 years. You will find artifacts from the Paleolithic Period, including mastodon spears, and items from the Archaic and Woodland Periods. You can also see the bloody ax used by Cherokee warrior Bob Benge in his war against white settlers in Virginia. The Museum also displays artifacts from the Mississippian period, when the Cherokee performed elaborate ceremonies.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is the main attraction in the town of Cherokee, North Carolina. It has interactive exhibits and the world’s largest collection of Cherokee artifacts, documents, and archives. The museum’s exhibits are engaging and informative, starting with the ancient Cherokee myths and moving on to the colonial era, with walls dedicated to the Trail of Tears and the settlers. The exhibits in the museum also highlight the contributions of modern Cherokee leaders.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is located at 589 Tsali Boulevard. Its mission is to preserve the history and culture of the Cherokee people and their culture. It holds educational programs, workshops, and archives. It represents the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized tribe. It is one of the most popular tribal museums in the United States.

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian was originally located in a log building near the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The museum was donated by Samuel E. Beck, who was interested in preserving the Cherokee heritage. Over time, it expanded to include artifacts from the Kirksey Collection of Union Mills, N.C., and the Weatherly Collection from Grant, Va. The museum also published several books and an audio book. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian opened its doors in 1976 and moved to its present location. The museum is funded by admissions and the sales of museum merchandise.

Oconaluftee Indian Village

Located near Cherokee, North Carolina, Oconaluftee Indian Village re-creates the life of 18th-century eastern Cherokees. The historic village is situated along the Oconaluftee River. Visitors can see 18th-century Cherokee homes, dances, and artifacts.

The living history museum portrays Cherokee life in the 1750s. Visitors can learn about Cherokee traditions and customs from guides dressed in traditional clothing. They can also view demonstrations of Cherokee crafts, including arrowhead and blowgun making. A blacksmithing station is also on site.

When visiting the Oconaluftee Indian Village in North Carolina, be sure to check out the Mountain Farm Museum, which is situated on the Oconaluftee River. It has log structures that illustrate early European settlers’ farming life. While in the town, visitors can also see elk. Other attractions in the area include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mingus Mill, and Smokemont Campground.

You can also visit the Cherokee Heritage Museum, located in Cherokee, NC. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. It also offers crafts classes for children. It’s worth noting that the museum closes for major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

While at the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you can also take a tour of the village’s beadwork section. In addition to basket weaving and finger weaving, you’ll also get to see the process of making Cherokee pottery using native clay. The process of making pottery in the traditional Cherokee way takes about two weeks.

Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutal

If you’re looking for an authentic Cherokee art and craft experience, you’ll find it at Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutal, located on the Cherokee Indian reservation in North Carolina. This cooperative, founded in 1946, showcases the work of over 250 artists, helping to preserve the culture and traditions of the Cherokee people. Visitors can browse the wide variety of Cherokee crafts, learn about the traditional methods of making Cherokee art, and purchase unique treasures.

The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual is one of the oldest Native American cooperatives in the country. It represents over 350 enrolled Cherokee tribal members, and its works showcase the unique Cherokee spirit. The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual is open daily. However, the cooperative is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Fontana Lake

If you’re planning a long hike through the mountains, there’s a great overnight shelter near Fontana Lake in Cherokee, NC. This Appalachian Trail overnight shelter, which can sleep 24 hikers, is renowned among long-distance hikers. Its unique design, scenic location, and flush toilets and showers make it a popular stop for hikers. Fontana Lake is located on the Nantahala National Forest and is a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

If you plan to rent a boat, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several private marinas within the Fontana Lake Estates. These marinas have knowledgeable staff and plenty of boating supplies. You can also take advantage of a shuttle service to nearby Eagle Creek or Hazel Creek, and take in the beauty of the Fontana Dam and powerhouse.

If you’re planning a family vacation, you might want to consider renting a pontoon boat or kayak. Fontana Lake is located in the Great Smoky Mountains, so it’s no surprise that there’s no shortage of wildlife around. You’ll find plenty of places to hike and explore nearby.

Fontana Lake is the largest lake in Western North Carolina, and is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. The lake is made possible by Fontana Dam, which was built in the 1940s, making it the world’s fourth-largest hydroelectric facility. Aside from the lake’s natural beauty, visitors can also check out the Tennessee Valley Authority Visitor Center, which features a history of the dam’s construction.

Fontana Lake is a 9.5-mile-long body of water, which is largely undeveloped. The Fontana Dam’s tailrace provides a steady flow of cold water for fishing. This reservoir is home to rainbow, brook, and brown trout. These fish can grow to be several pounds. The state of North Carolina has also stocked this lake with muskie.