Some of our favorite activities
Experience America’s Largest Home®, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Your self-guided house visit spans three floors and the basement of the luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. Explore the stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees through displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more.
At Dollywood they celebrate the best of life as they light up the Smokies with rides, slides, music, food and laughter - day and night. They invite you to their Tennessee home where you can hold on tight to those you love most in the great outdoors in each beautiful season of the year.
Join Rolling Thunder on a Nantahala rafting trip, Ocoee River whitewater adventure or tube the Toccoa. River rafting is truly a fun, challenging and often hilarious experience – all in the midst of the incredible outdoors.
Great Smoky Mountains Railrood
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad historic train depot sits in the heart of Bryson City, North Carolina and is a favorite regional attraction for family fun. A round-trip on the train is an ideal way to see extraordinary places that you can’t get to by car. Get a front-row view of Fontana Lake, the historic Fontana Trestle, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers, historical structures, and stunning foliage.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an exciting Asheville attraction, is an aerial challenge course in the trees that has over 77 unique climbing, rolling, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges anchored to over 30 trees and towering poles tucked into a wooded park for ages 4 and over. These challenge elements are divided into 7 different aerial adventure trails ranging from beginner to challenging levels.
Smokemont Riding Stables is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have been going there for years taking our children and grandchildren on rides. The horses are gentle and easy to ride. They have one hour and two hour rides. The two hour ride goes to a waterfall. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains on a horse.
At Cherokee Rapids, we take you two miles up the Oconaluftee River and you float back to us and your car, no waiting on a bus to come pick you up. You can stay out as long as you want while enjoying the beautiful scenery, type I/II rapids, amazing swimming holes and a very popular rope swing.
Cataloochee Ski Resort is located in Maggie Valley, NC. The ski area is on 50 acres at 5,400 ft. With 18 ski trails, there are plenty of different levels of difficulty. Ski rentals and lessons are also provided. The resort opens from November to March.
From exciting stickball demonstrations to events full of culture, dance, crafts and rides, or from the outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” to a quiet reverie with our native elk herd, Cherokee’s got your version of fun waiting for you. Cherokee also has Harrah's casino with it many outstanding shows.