Want to try something out of this world? Fly with Cherokee Helicopters and see the beauty of this wonderful area from above. Every flight takes off over Thomas Peak where you will enjoy views of mountains in all directions. Flights start as low as $15.00 per person with eight different flights including a trip to the top of Clingmans Dome the second highest peak in the eastern US. Call 828-497-5797 for reservations or just stop by.

Cherokee Rapids is Cherokee's number one choice for tube and kayak rentals. Park at either of our two locations (Little Princess parking lot on Acquoni Rd or Saunooke Village across from the mechanical bull), we'll provide the rest (transportation, tube, life preserver and a whole lot of fun). Cherokee Rapids...more rapids, more swimming holes, longer trips, rope swing, no waiting on bus, all nature and most importantly..you are done when you get back. Visit us on our website www.cherokeerapids.com or on facebook. Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Family entertainment center on Hwy 441 N in Cherokee. Complete with arcade, go karts and miniture golf. Located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Fun for the whole family.

Named one of the "Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure, NOC has been recognized as a leader in the whitewater rafting industry for more than 35 years. Our Nantahala Adventure Resort is just a short drive from Cherokee and is home to our famous Paddling School, renowned Outfitter's Store, restaurants, lodging and more.

Stecoah Valley Center offers a variety of special events, festivals, programs, shopping and classes. The Center brings music to the mountains through the summer concert and dinner series "An Appalachian Evening" as well as the Ramp Dinner, Folkmoot USA, Harvest Festival and other events. Stecoah Valley Artisans Gallery offers a unique opportunity to buy original North Carolina artwork including paintings, pottery, weaving, glass works, photography, jewelry, soaps, books and much more.

Step into The Old Mill and you step back into an era from the past. You will find a country store chock full with fresh ground cornmeal, preserves, country ham, stone ground grits, chow chow, local honey and cider. The 1930's room is stocked with handcrafted items from more than 70 Cherokee artists, soy candles, china and local made soap. In the 1886 room, treasure hunters will find the original mill equipment, antiques and rare one of a kind items. New in 2011 ~ Gem Mining with water from the antique flume! Located one mile south of Cherokee. Always closed on Sunday.

"Unto These Hills" outdoor drama. June through mid-August. General Admission: Adults $18.00 - $22.00; Children (6 years old - 12 years old) $8.00 - $12.00; Children (5 and under) free. Family Pack: 2 free tickets for children ages 6-12 with the purchase of 1 adult ticket. Family pack is only available Monday through Wednesday. Reserved: Adults $22.00; Children (ages 12 and under) $10.00.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel offers 3,000 of your favorite gaming machines and some of the best restaurants in the area, including the new 600-seat Chefs Stage Buffet and Paula Deen's Kitchen. In addition, you'll enjoy great headliner entertainment in the 3,000-seat Event Center and a variety of entertainment at the Essence Lounge. Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel is currently undergoing a substantial $633 million dollar expansion with completion expected in 2012. When complete, the property will have added a new hotel tower, a 3,000-seat Event Center, entertainment and VIP lounges, a 16,000 square-foot spa, all new state-of-the-art digital poker room, an Asian gaming room, a variety of new restaurants and retail outlets, and new hotel and casino parking garages.

Travel along cool rushing rivers, cross over a man-made lake on a high trestle and through lush green valleys and rolling farmland. Offering a variety of rail excursions including the Nantahala Gorge & Tuckasegee River. Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission included with most train tickets. All trains depart Bryson City. Special Events include: Peanuts Valentine Express, Easter Beagle, Dinosaur Train, Peanuts Pumpkin Patch & Polar Express. Call 800-872-4681 to reserve tickets or visit at www.gsmr.com.

The Indian Village is a replica of a Cherokee Village from the 1750's. Guided and self-guided tours daily. Life demonstrations and reenactments. Open May through late October.

Save up to $20.00 off gate price at www.biltmore.com/cherokee. Make priceless memories at Biltmore for just the right price. George Vanderbilt created Biltmore as an escape from everyday life. Now, you are invited to enjoy that escape for yourself. A visit to the 8,000 acre estate in the mountains of Asheville, NC provides limitless fun. Your admission includes self-guided tours of the breathtaking Biltmore House & Gardens and the Antler Hill Village, featuring the winery and the Biltmore Farm Village.

One admission price covers all rides, zoo and entertainment. Over 60 things to see and do. Ride the Rudicoaster, Santa's favorite ride. Paddle the lake and feed Santa's fish, ducks and monkeys. Enjoy the Magic Show in the Jingle Bell Theatre. Watch the baby bears being fed. Bring your picnic. Visit with Santa and his elves. There's something for everyone.

Fly through the trees above the forest floor and across 20 acres on 11 zip line sections that zigzag from slope sides, trees and elevated platforms. In your 3-hour glide and slide experience, you'll also use three sky bridges and five transfer bridges. State-of-the-art equpment is provided including a helmet, full body harness, trolley, gloves and a tether safety line. Professional Canopy Rangers are on hand all along the way. Open all year as weather permits.

Pan for gold and precious gems including rubies, amethysts, emeralds, sapphires, garnets and topaz. All equipment is furnished, and we have free gemstone identification. Expert gem cutting and mountain are available. Have your precious stone set in a ring or pendant. Fun for the entire family. We even have special buckets for the kids. Mine with us, you could strike it rich.

Open since 1948, the museum tells the story of the Cherokee people using high-tech wizardry along with an extensive artifact collection. The museum is fun for the entire family and an exciting, educational event. Open daily at 9 am except closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission prices for adults $10 and children $6 (ages 6-13), with children under 6 free. Group rates are available, as well as discounts for AARP or AAA members

Located in scenic Franklin, North Carolina, the Fun Factory in the Smokies is Western North Carolina's award-winning destination for family friendly entertainment - with games, mini-golf, bowling, go-karts, laser tag, big screen TVs, party rooms, great restaurants and more. Plus, there's even an area just for the little kids. The Fun Factory is open Monday - Thursday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and Friday - Saturday 10:00 am to midnight. Attractions open at 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday.

The original professional outfitter in the southeast since 1971. Family owned and operated by three generations. Trips on the Nantahala, Big Pigeon, Ocoee, Chattooga and Cheoah Rivers, suitable for ages 4- 94. Adventure locations within 20 minutes to 2 hours from Cherokee. Fully guided river trips. Rental Rafts and Inflatable Kayaks. Price includes all required gear (no hidden equipment fees), hot showers, changing rooms, complementary beverages. Combo adventures with Jeep, Zipline, or Scenic Train Excursions. Choose quality, choose Wildwater.

In addition to the Smoky Mountains Black Bear, you will observe many different exotic animals like tigers and monkeys. We also have grizzlies, and during certain times of the year, baby wild animals. At the Petting Zoo children actually hand feed some of our animals like the baby goats. Mini Golf, Gift Shop and Ice Cream Shop. Open year round weather permitting. $5 per person. Tour packages available.