Travel Lens
Waterfalls, Smoky Mountain scenery and living Cherokee culture make this western North Carolina town a rewarding trip.
Take a walking tour of a village set in the 1700s and learn about Cherokee culture, heritage and crafts from the people who work there.
Walk up to the viewpoint of one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians, especially atmospheric on a foggy morning.
Drive or hike this National Park Service parkway that runs from Virginia to Cherokee, with overlooks made for sunsets.
Tour preserved log buildings, including old barns, a spring house and a smokehouse, most of them more than 100 years old.
Float, tube, kayak or canoe the river, or cool off in its natural pools, with scenic landscapes along the banks.
Explore deep green woods and moss-covered creeks in one of Cherokee’s biggest draws, with a huge variety of plants and wildlife.
Learn about Cherokee culture through displays of holographs and photographs of native people, plus presentations.
Picnic, play sports or wander the park’s bamboo garden, a cool place to spend a hot afternoon.
Swipe up for all 20 things to do in Cherokee in our full guide.