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CHEROKEE

Serving as the gateway to both the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee offers a variety of activities for visitors from history to golf to gaming. History buffs will enjoy learning about the Cherokee culture, while golfers can hit the links at Sequoyah National Golf Club and gamers can try their luck at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Cherokee sponsors the springtime Rainbow and Ramps Festival, which allows visitors, especially children, to catch trout in the Oconaluftee River and sample ramps, a traditional Appalachian delicacy. Cherokee offers a wide variety of cultural experiences, art galleries, and outdoor adventures. • Oconaluftee Indian Village – Experience this guided tour through authentic Cherokee dwellings, sacred ritual sites, and more as you are transported to the 1760s and learn about the Cherokee Nation. You’ll also learn cultural dances and watch craftspeople at work as they sculpt pottery and weave baskets. • Museum of the Cherokee Indian – Get inspired by the culture and heritage of the Cherokee people at this interactive museum, which tells the story of more than 11,000 years of Cherokee history. • Oconaluftee River Trail – Find rich history and fun for the whole family at this 1.5-mile trail along the scenic Oconaluftee River. Located at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitors Center, you can also check out Mountain Farm Museum and over 40 species of wildflowers.

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