Welcome to Cherokee!                                                         
Become a Fan 

We eagerly await your arrival and the opportunity to share our culture with you. There are many things to do in Cherokee – attend the breathtaking outdoor Mountainside Theatre for a performance of “Unto These Hills…a retelling” with the whole family, visit the Museum with its exhibit in partnership with the Smithsonian, Emissaries of Peace, buy a handmade piece of history at the arts and crafts cooperative Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Inc., experience a working Village with blowgun demonstrations, mask carvings and more – including the new “Hands-On Cherokee” experiential learning classes.

We invite you to come with us on a journey that dates back 11,000 years. Learn about our history from the Seven Clans to Sequoyah’s syllabary to how Junaluska saved Andrew Jackson’s life to the greatest chief in Cherokee history John Ross to one of the greatest tragedies in history The Trail of Tears. Marvel at how the Warriors of Anikituwha continue to perform across the country today. Take a glimpse into how Lt. Timberlake became an emissary for the Cherokee in 1761, becoming the foundation for the Emissaries of Peace exhibit.

Beyond the cultural attractions, you can experience the warmth of the Cherokee people by coming for the many events and festivals throughout the year. From the Spring and Fall Rod Runs to the award-winning Festival of Native Peoples to the Memorial Day and July 4th Powwows to the endless fishing tournaments, trout derbys, sports events and carnivals.

And the landscape of Cherokee presents lots of options for spending time outdoors. Fish for trout, swim at Islands Park, bring your softball league to play at the new John Crowe Recreation Complex or spend your time hiking, biking, tubing, kayaking, camping and bird watching. At the entrance to both the Great Smoky National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee is nestled in just the right spot.

Groups - schools, religious organizations, scouts and everyone in between - are always welcome to Cherokee and a wonderful Group Tour Coordinator can plan the perfect day, week or weekend as custom as you like. The Museum offers custom educational tours and seminars, Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Inc. offers the “Qualla Experience”, the Oconoluftee Village offers “Hands-On Cherokee” experiential learning classes and “Unto These Hills…a retelling” caps off any day in Cherokee for an under the stars night to remember.

We’ll see you soon! Until then, enjoy a bit of Cherokee right now by watching this video…