Last Updated on June 3, 2025
To the casual observer, Cherokee is a small town just north of Sylva that is fun to visit on vacation. However, take a minute to look, and the town is so much more—offering ongoing cultural study, pristine nature, memorable dining, and yes, gaming and big attractions.
There’s enough to do in Cherokee to fill a lifetime! But if you are here for a brief visit, we encourage you to make the most of your time. Here’s how we’d spend a “perfect day out” in Cherokee, NC.
Start strong with small-batch coffee
You’re going to have a big day in Cherokee, so start it off on the right foot—with a big cup of coffee. There are a number of choices in town for a great cup of joe. If you’re heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the day, Ol Smoky Coffee Shop and County Store will be on your way. Grounded. Coffee Shop and Food Factory is a popular destination recognized both for its expert coffee and extensive food menu. Don’t miss their delectable cheese croissants and delightful crepes! Or for a hearty breakfast, check out family-owned, TERO-certified Granny’s Kitchen. This cherished restaurant has been a community staple for over four decades.
For our money, the best coffee in town can be found at Qualla Java. The passionate team at this Native-owned cafe is dedicated to delivering the highest quality, small-batch Colombian coffees in various roasts. Enjoy your cup overlooking the riverfront!
Connect with history
You’d be hard pressed to find a richer and deeper history in WNC than in Cherokee. Today’s Native Cherokee community continues cultural traditions spanning hundreds of generations.
The Cherokee Historical Association runs the Oconaluftee Indian Village, a living-history museum. Step back in time to the 18th century to explore historical buildings, witness captivating shows such as “Time of War,” and be enchanted by traditional Cherokee dancing. Check their seasonal schedule, and plan to stay at least a couple hours.
For a more traditional museum experience, we also recommend the Museum of the Cherokee People. This multi-media exhibit site encourages visitors to experience the living culture, art, and heritage of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from ancestral connections to today. Check their calendar for opportunities to engage with Cherokee cultural practices firsthand. Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists demonstrate such arts as finger-weaving, rivercane and white oak basket weaving, and oral histories.
Reconnect with nature
It would take days to list all the outdoor adventures available around Cherokee, let alone explore them. Abutting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Qualla Boundary is surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of ancient mountains and protected forests. Take a moment to revitalize your innate connection to the earth. Explore more than 800 miles of the best hiking trails east of the Mississippi. Enjoy watersports from fishing to kayaking to swimming under a waterfall. And take in the nature around you, with excellent opportunities for birding and guided elk viewing expeditions.
Close to town, Oconaluftee Islands Park offers an outdoor oasis for kids of all ages. Bring your family and a picnic, and enjoy swimming, tubing, or even trout fishing. When the water levels are normal, the river is divided by a grassy island with plenty of room for unbridled play.
Be inspired by local artists
Local artists hold a special place in all communities, but especially in Cherokee. According to the town’s visitor site: “There is a rare spiritual quality to Cherokee art that evokes a sense of sacred traditions.” Here, you’ll find beautiful and useful arts and crafts, from handwoven baskets to colorful beadwork and traditional weaponry.
Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual is an historic cooperative that has been preserving and promoting Cherokee artists since 1946. From their gallery store, you can shop for authentic Cherokee handcrafts and meet some of the living masters of Cherokee art.
On a perfect day, it’s easy to browse Cherokee art in the fresh air at the Islands Park Art Market, located adjacent to the Oconaluftee Island Park. This popular outdoor market showcases the talents of dozens of authentic Cherokee artisans. Discover art that tells a story, and become part of that story yourself.
Try a Native twist on craft beer
No day out in Western North Carolina is complete without visiting a local craft brewery. And Cherokee offers two interesting options. Located just outside of town, Angry Elk Brewing Company is pet friendly with a spacious outdoor patio, daily food trucks, and a variety of housemade brews on tap.
For a modern Cherokee experience, we recommend Native Brews Tap & Grill. The woman- and Native American-owned business pairs heritage and the earth’s bounty to create craft beverages with a deep connection to the land and the tribe’s rich past. But be careful about visiting. With a standout dining menu that ranges from comfort to gourmet, and regular opportunities for live, local entertainment, you may just spend the whole day here!
Dine out (or in!) in style
The dining experience in Cherokee is full of local flavors woven into international cuisine. If you’re craving Asian cuisine, a rich Italian meal, or want to try Cherokee cuisine for the first time, you will find what you are looking for. And places like Sugarbear’s Ice-cream and Carolina Coney’s & Cream are ready to top off your day with the perfect dessert!
You may be in WNC, but you’ll feel like you’re on a lively patio overlooking the Mediterranean at Brio Italian Grille. With an open villa-like interior, this sprawling restaurant is best known for traditional dishes that offer the best tastes of Tuscany. For a more casual option with a family atmosphere and great service, check out All Fried Up. Their menu focuses on seafood, chicken, and more. The Rice Wagon is another unique option, offering Hawaiian favorites like kickin’ chicken fried rice and kalua pig.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention all the world-class restaurants within Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. If you’re planning a gaming day, you don’t have to leave the resort to enjoy Gordon Ramsay Food Market, Noodle Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Selu Garden Café, Wicked Weed Smokehouse, or Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar.
See a live performance!
The attractions in Cherokee don’t cease at sundown. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort’s 3,000-seat venue hosts shows by big names like Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys, Chris Rock, and Blake Shelton throughout the year. And many bars and restaurants showcase local talent throughout the week. Whether you’re looking for big laughs or an intimate experience, you’re sure to find what you seek.
Make every day a perfect day in Cherokee, NC!
To the casual Western observer, Cherokee is a small town in Swain County, NC, that’s fun to visit on vacation. However, take a minute to look, and the town is so much more. ᏣᎳᎩ, or Tsalagi in Cherokee, is the capital of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and part of the traditional homelands of the Cherokee people. Located within the independently governed Qualla Boundary, Cherokee is a center for deep history, ongoing cultural study, pristine nature, memorable dining, and yes, gaming and big attractions. Opened in 1997, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is the biggest tourist draw, welcoming more than four million visitors each year.
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