Cherokee Blog

Each year, outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” presents a powerful retelling of the story of the Cherokee people in the Eastern region up and through the forced removal in 1838 known as the Trail of Tears. The 2018 season in Cherokee, NC, runs from June 2 to August 18, with shows at 8 p.m. each night, except Sundays when the theater is closed.

Now in its 21st year, the Cherokee Voices Festival celebrates thousands of years of tradition in the southern Appalachians with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). A free daylong event of continuous performances and crafts demonstrations, Cherokee Voices shines a light on the people of Cherokee who carry traditions of the culture that have been passed down for generations. The next Cherokee Voices Festival will take place on Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum in Cherokee, NC.

Both a physical as well as spiritual journey, the annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride (RTR) follows the 950+ miles on the northern route of the Trail of Tears over a span of three weeks. This year, 11 Cherokee Nation (CN) citizens in Oklahoma and eight enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will depart from New Echota, Georgia, on June 3, and ride together to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, arriving on June 21.

Planning your trip to Cherokee, NC, this summer? Whether it’s your first time or your annual family tradition, there’s a ton to see and do—you won’t want to miss a thing! With so much happening, including over a hundred free events throughout the year, we’ve put together a list of our top five favorite Cherokee summer experiences that your whole family will enjoy.