5 Fun Things to do in Cherokee County, North Carolina

It's felt like way too long since we were enjoying the cooler weather of the North Carolina mountains, so I figured it was high-time I shared some of our favorite spots from our trip this past summer!

Here are our top 5 things to do in Cherokee County, North Carolina...

1.) Vineyard Hop!
It doesn't matter where we go, our wine loving hearts have one priority; find the nearby vineyards or wineries and hit up as many as possible! There are some awesome options in and around Cherokee County. Though it was hard to pick favorites I think I would have to say our favorite visit was to Calaboose Cellars. One, because the wine was great, but two, because it shares a location with Andrew's Brewing Co. He gets beer, I get wine and we are both happy, happy, happy!! It helps too that it shares the same "real" name as Babe! 

We also tried Valley River Vineyards (very "homegrown"), Nottely River Valley Vineyards (3rd fave; with beautiful views and a porch to sit at while you share a bottle), FernCrest Tasting Room (yum!!), and Eagle Fork Vineyards (2nd fave; because of the stunning porch views and wine slushy amazingness).

2.) Grab a Beer and some AMAZING food!!
Sadly, for him, Babe missed out on my favorite food find. The bestie and I hit up Hayesville Brewing Company, originally for a beer on the way to Eagle Fork Vineyards, and found that they had some of the absolute BEST food we had eaten the whole time we there. They make one killer grilled cheese!! Plus, they have markers and paper coasters to give you something fun to do while you chat over a beer and wait on your grub. The owner will tell you that, while they were originally intended for any kids that might come in with their parents, they have gone over way better with the adults!! The owners originally moved to the area to escape the Florida heat and try their hands at a brewery, while the wife uses her recipe-creating-skills to keep the menu fresh and fun. 

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One of the things I love most about traveling 

is hearing all the interesting stories of 

how people are living out their dreams!

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3.) Take a Hike!!
There are some stunning trails in North Carolina and Cherokee County has plenty to choose from! We really liked the Fire Creek Falls area. It was a huge area, with tons of trails. We also took a drive to the top and stumbled across a beautiful little spot for camping, if we ever make it back with the RV. When you are hiking in the summer be prepared for wet trails from afternoon rain storms. We actually didn't get too hike as far as we had planned, because the trail crossed the river so many times that we decided to turn back instead of taking our hiking boots on and off every time! Tip: Grab some Chacos! I actually had mine with me in NC, but decided to wear hiking boots since we weren't sure how rocky the trail would be. It is definitely more wet than rocky and you will be up to your mid thigh in some spots. We opted for a different trail, that looped past the waterfall, and had less standing water.

4.) Float the Day Away!
We liked the Fire Creek Falls area so much, that I went back by myself one day. Babe had flown out early, while I stayed with my bestie. She had to work, but I was determined to make it back to do something that I had seen kids doing when we had gone on our hike... tubing!! This is not a designated tubing run, but you can bring your own tube and float down the river for a bit, or just splash around in the deeper sections. There is a public picnic area and families will gather to spend the day in the sun and take a dip in the water. The river runs fast enough that there are some little "rapid" sections that add to the fun. You hike maybe a minute (across the bridge and past one of the picnic tables), put in your tube and then float for about two minutes, hop out and do it all over again. It was a blast!! Did I feel a little weird at first, being the only adult there without a kid and also one of the only adults tubing at all?! Maybe a bit, but I got over it pretty quick. I even befriended a little guy and his grandma (who had fallen in with her clothes on while trying to help him get started), so I had a tubing buddy for a minute while he learned the ropes. After that I floated, ate some lunch, and basked in the sun to my hearts content! You can also cross the river and go climb up part of the waterfall! Warning: Watch for snakes in the rocks. I didn't know they were there the whole day, but a guy pointed them out in the rock wall I was walking over to get back in the river. They are fine, just be careful where you place your feet and fingers.

5.) Enjoy Thrill-Seeking Fun!
One of the funnest summer activities in North Carolina is white-water rafting! It just can't be beat! We took Sunday to load up and head out to the Nantahala. We hadn't known for sure which day we were going to end up rafting, so we didn't really plan ahead. We found the best deal through Carolina Outfitters and actually really enjoyed them. We opted for a 3 person, non-guided raft; we have all rafted before, but if you don't feel confident on your own you can always get a guided boat for just a little bit more $$. If you have time to plan ahead there are often great Groupon Deals.



The Nantahala is the milder of the two rivers near Cherokee County. The Ocoee is also an option, if you are looking for an even bigger thrill, but that river has to be done with a guide and a helmet. We opted to go at our own pace, with the sun shining brightly on our heads!!

Rafting Tip #1: Be prepared for the water to be cold!! Some people prefer to wear long pants and jackets, but honestly, I brave that initial tingly feeling and then you have the sun to warm you up. In my opinion, wearing long clothing just means more of your body will stay wet and the wet is chilly. As long as the sun is shining it will dry your skin right up (until the next big wave), whereas your clothing will stay wet longer.

Rafting Tip #2: Eat a hearty breakfast/ snack! Depending on what time you choose to hit the river it is important that you have had something to eat. Rafting is strenuous and you are on the river for at least 2-3 hours; sometimes longer. I don't know about you, but I can get real hangry!  Even though I hadn't eaten breakfast all that long before we went, I made sure to bring something with me to eat while we waited on the shuttle to take us to the drop in. If you wanted to you could also pack a little snack in your pocket or a wet-bag, just make sure it's individually wrapped!

We also bring bottled water with us and eat/ drink during the lulls in rapids. There are spots you can pull off to the side, but depending on the trip outfitter it isn't always encouraged. 

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No matter what activities you enjoy 

there is something for everyone in Cherokee County! 
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If you prefer something a bit quieter, most of the small towns have a little museum highlighting the history of the area. You can also simply stroll down the main streets and get a local feel for each place. The towns are quaint, the people kind, and there is usually at least one rocking chair to rest in somewhere. There is definitely no lack of things to do in Cherokee County, North Carolina. I would love to go back and hope you get the chance to visit someday too! 

What is your favorite small town to visit?!