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CHEROKEE VACATION RENTALS, NORTH CAROLINA |
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Why Vacation in Cherokee |
| Cherokee, home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, not only offers vacation rentals, but also offers some of the most extraordinary trout fishing, outdoor recreation and sightseeing available in America---no wonder it’s one of America’s most visited vacation destinations! |
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Cherokee Vacation Rental Information |
Cherokee vacation rentals located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, consist of mountain cabins, cozy cottages and comfortable private homes. Cabins are the most common vacation rental accommodation in world’s oldest mountain range, the Appalachian Mountains.
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| Typically, you will find rustic 2-bedroom, 1-bath cabins that sleep 2 to 4 people. Many cottages and private homes can accommodate families or small groups of 6 to 8 people. It is common for vacation rentals in Cherokee to include decks or covered porches with furniture. Other amenities vary, but the most common include barbeque grills, cable TV, heat and air conditioning, fireplaces, ceiling fans and hot tubs. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Cherokee |
| Most rentals are available on a nightly, weekly or monthly basis. Special services like grocery shopping and catered meals may be available for an extra charge. Cleaning fees are often extra. Local sales and occupancy taxes are 10%. Most rentals are pet friendly, simply requiring a deposit, but check with the individual owner. Some rentals do require a security deposit. |
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Must See in Cherokee |
Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation Reservation. The reservation’s 100-square-mile Qualla Boundary nestles on three sides into The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within the park and Cherokee County, there are 8,700 acres of lakes, the largest of which are the Cherokee, the Hiawassee and the Appalachia Reservoirs. Include the Nantahala, the Cherokee and
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| Pisgah National Forests, as well as several rivers, vacationers have ample opportunity to experience nature firsthand while enjoying a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. In addition, Cherokee County has several sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places and museums that highlight the history of the Cherokee Nation and the Appalachian heritage. |
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Sights and Attractions in Cherokee |
| In Cherokee, you can visit the Cherokee Nation Reservation and several historic museums, take a ride on a mountain railway, enjoy a theme park, fish, float down a river, take a trip on a trail or attend one of several local fairs and festivals held in the area each year. If you need more entertainment, there are always the attractions in nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation Reservation
• John C. Campbell Folk School
• Cherokee County Historical Museum
• Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
• Cherokee Fun Park |
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Outdoor Recreation in Cherokee |
| There is a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities available for you to enjoy while in Cherokee. The area is especially known for its excellent trout fishing, as well as for sport fishing for the various types of bass, walleye, catfish, brim, bluegill, crappie and fresh water salmon available in the area.
For all outdoor activities in the Cherokee area, a word of caution: Black bears live in the Cherokee area. While most black bears are nocturnal and are not about during the day, visitors should always be aware of the possible danger and do what they can to avoid direct contact with the bears.
• Cherokee Reservation Fishing
• Hiwassee River Fishing
• Lakes and Reservoir Fishing
• Water Tubing, Whitewater Rafting, Canoeing and Kayaking
• Hiking and Horseback Riding Trails |
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Golfing in Cherokee |
| Golf in Cherokee is challenging, with the gently rolling terrain like that in the home of golf, the Scottish Highlands. Cherokee Hills Golf & Country Club is a par-72 championship course with a driving range, pool, tennis courts, practice green, pro shop and more. Golf packages are available.
There are also a number of golf courses within a 45 minute drive from the Cherokee Reservation: the Smoky Mountain Country Club in Whittier, the Waynesville Country Club, Maggie Valley Resort, Lake Junaluska Golf Course and the Mill Creek Country Club in Franklin. |
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Cherokee Fairs and Festivals |
| A variety of fairs and festivals in the Cherokee area take place on the reservation or in several of the towns in Cherokee County. On the Cherokee Reservation, July 4th marks the annual Cherokee July Powwow. The dance competition and exhibition includes dancers and expert Native American drummers from around the country. In September, the Festival of Native Peoples shares culture through dance, song, music, storytelling and arts and crafts. Three public dance performances are held during the festival.
America's oldest wagon train is the highlight of the Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration in Andrews. In the fall the National Appalachian Jeep Jamboree in Murphy and the Antique Car Show in Andrews are popular events. The first weekend in October the John C. Campbell Folk School hosts an annual Fall Festival, a 2-day celebration featuring crafts, demonstrations, musicians, singers, storytellers and great food.
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Dining and Nightlife in Cherokee |
Cherokee offers a selection of affordable family and fast food restaurants. They generally offer typical southern fare and homemade meals from fish and fries to steaks and shakes. Most family restaurants in the area will serve the south’s well-known meat and 3---a main course meat dish with 3 sides of vegetables---or buffet style meals that offer a variety of dishes sure to please anyone in the family.
Over 300 years of early Cherokee history comes to life nightly in the outdoor amphitheater production of Unto These Hills, Drama of the Cherokee Indian. Performances are Monday - Saturday, from June to August. The length of the performance is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:45 PM. Discounts are available for groups larger than 20. Paid reservations are held at the box office for late arrival, but unpaid reservations are only held until 6:00 PM. Tickets are on sale daily, except Sundays, at the main box office. There is no charge for parking and smoking is not allowed in the seating area.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel offers gaming, dining and concert events. Access to casino restaurants is limited to those 21 and above. Other more casual restaurants within the casino complex, Selu Garden Café and Club Cappuccino, do welcome guests of all ages. The casino’s Cherokee Pavilion hosts many well-known artists in its 1,500+-seat facility. Any performance is sure to be quite a show with the pavilion’s 20-foot projection screens and full concert sound and lighting. |
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Shopping in Cherokee |
| Several stores on the Cherokee Reservation specialize in crafts, clothing, paintings and jewelry. The largest is Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, one of the oldest Indian cooperatives in the United States. Over 350 local Cherokee artisans and craftspeople sell handmade arts and crafts. The facility is open year round. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. |
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Best Times to Visit Cherokee |
Cherokee is a year-round vacation destination. Temperatures are mild from late spring to autumn, making it an ideal time to visit the area. October is an especially popular time to visit because of the bright fall foliage.
Frost is common in the spring through mid-April and it can snow as late as the end of April. Spring mornings can be chilly and windy, with temperatures ranging from 40º to 75º F. Summers are warm with temperatures ranging from 55º to 80º F. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with the average high of 84° F. Afternoon thundershowers are common.
Fall temperatures usually range from as high as 70º F to as low as 40º F. Winter can be harsh, with temperatures in the low 20° F range and the weather can be unpredictable. November and December can be colder. Snow is likely in higher elevations and winter weather conditions can be very severe. Temperatures at night dip as low as 0º during January and February. March is very unpredictable; snow is common. Daytime temperatures range from lows in the 20ºs to highs in the 50ºs. |
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Time Zone for Cherokee |
| Eastern Standard Time. |
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Getting To and Around Cherokee |
| The Andrews-Murphy Airport, located in Andrews, serves Cherokee. Shuttle services, sightseeing tours and auto rentals are available. Cherokee County is easily accessible by highways US 64, 74, 19, 129, NC Spur 60, and NC 294. These highways easily connect to several interstates, including I-40, I-75 and I-85. |
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