City: Cherokee, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (828) 497-3103

Address: 645 Tsali Boulevard

Description: This craft cooperative across the street from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian displays and sells the works of some 250 Cherokee artisans, in addition to offering art from other American Indian craftspeople across the country. Founded in 1946, this is the oldest and most revered Native American cooperative in the U.S. The Members Gallery displays the cooperative’s permanent collection of historical-quality pieces mostly by deceased artists. Historical baskets, beadwork, pottery, masks, finger weaving, wood carving, stone sculpture, jewelry, and even blowguns are examples of what you can buy here. The cooperative is open year-round, except for two weeks in January when they close for inventory. Admission is free.

City: Cherokee, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (828) 497-7777, (800) HARRAHS

Address: 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee

Description: This legal gambling establishment, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, did for Cherokee what Dollywood did for Tennessee’s Smokies—that is, helped it start the transition from a seasonal destination to a year-round one. Since 1997, Harrah’s has provided gaming action and live entertainment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s very much like what you’d find in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, with a few notable exceptions. If you arrive at Harrah’s in your car, you can either park free in one of the many parking areas or pull up to the main building and have your car valet-parked for an extra fee. If you park in the lots, you can either walk to the casino or take Harrah’s free shuttle to the front doors. The casino also has on-site accommodations for its guests in the form of a 576-room luxury hotel. The 15-story facility features two restaurants, a conference center, gift shop, indoor swimming pool, fitness room, and much more. Native American crafts and artwork adorn each floor. You must be 21 or older to set foot inside the casino, and although alcohol is not permitted on the premises, smoking is. Videotaping is not allowed, but flash photography is welcome. The casino offers more than 3,400 video gaming machines spread out over nearly 88,000 square feet of floor space. Some 8,000 square feet of that is smoke-free. Harrah’s is in the middle of a $650-million expansion that will double everything when it’s completed in 2013. The expansion will bring the total number of gaming devices to 5,200 and will double the gaming floor. A 3,000-seat event center (double the current size) will be added to the hotel, as well as a 22-story, 500-room tower (bringing the hotel’s tower count to three), 28 low-rise suites, a new restaurant, and a 16,000-square-foot spa. All of the gambling at this Harrah’s is done on video machines, although you will find live dealers assisting on the video blackjack games. And you’ll still find video versions of all the typical casino games like poker, keno, and Lock ’n’ Roll, Harrah’s own version of the basic slot machine. The games have minimum costs ranging from 1 cent to $25. The maximum house payout on many of the games is unlimited thanks to changes in state law. In addition to quarters, machines also take small- and large-denomination bills. Harrah’s has also recently added a video poker room.Near the main entrance is the Games Master area, where staff members will help you learn how to play the different games. Although the games are all played on machines, they’re very user-friendly once you figure out what you’re doing. There are no buttons to push or levers to pull. All actions are conducted by simply touching a finger to the appropriate spot on the video screen. When you’re ready to start pumping quarters, you’ll find three cashier areas along the perimeter of the main floor. After that, you’re on your own. If you need assistance with a particular game, you can call for an attendant by pushing a button on your machine. You’ll also find plenty of servers on the floor distributing free nonalcoholic beverages.There is more to Harrah’s than just gaming, however. Harrah’s hosts concert performances and show revues. Performers such as B. B. King, Bill Cosby, Willie Nelson, and Wayne Newton have appeared in the past. Tickets to these shows range anywhere from $35 to $100, depending on the performer, and you can purchase them at the box office in the casino. There’s an average of one show a month. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino has five eating establishments on the main premises and two more in the hotel. In the casino itself, you’ll find the Fresh Market Square, serving lunch and dinner in an all-you-care-to-eat buffet format. For one price, you can choose from a wide selection of international and traditional dishes. The Fresh Market Express offers 24-hour counter service if you’re looking for something quick and light—sandwiches, pastries, ice creams, and coffees. For full sit-down dining service, step into Sycamores On the Creek, a restaurant featuring steaks, seafood, pasta, desserts, and more. In the hotel are the Selu Garden cafe (which serves a well-rounded menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and Club Cappuccino (a great place to go for all kinds of coffee drinks, not to mention pastries, desserts, and fresh fruits). Other amenities at Harrah’s include a kids’ arcade, a passenger lounge area for those awaiting bus transportation, and two gift shops.

City: Cherokee, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (828) 497-9191

Address: 571 Wolfetown Road/US 19

Description: It’s always Christmas (or at least it is from early May through the end of October) at Santa’s Land Theme Park and Zoo. Ride the Rudi-Coaster or the Ferris wheel, take a train ride, cruise on the paddleboats, or visit with Santa and his elves. At Santa’s Land Zoo, you can pet and feed a variety of domestic and exotic animals. Santa’s Land also offers live shows (including a baby bear feeding show), an arcade, restaurants, and plenty of shops. Admission is $18.46, plus tax, for everyone except children under two—they get in free.