This powerful outdoor drama re-enacts Cherokee history from the first contact with Europeans through the tragic “Trail of Tears”. The story is told from a Cherokee perspective by descendants of those who avoided removal and is presented nightly except Sundays from June through mid-August.

688 Drama Rd.
Cherokee, NC
(866) 554-4557

High Falls Trail at Lake Glenville

Just 8 miles from Cashiers, the High Falls Trail is a scenic hike with scattered rhododendron and tall tries. Its more perilous features include stone stairs, but there are also tree-built bridges that are easier to traverse. High Falls waterfall is within reach at just .7 miles along the trail, but heading back to the trailhead means climbing more than 500 feet in elevation. In all, the hike is 1.4 miles, round-trip. 

Looking Glass Falls

One of the easiest waterfalls to reach in the area is this one in Pisgah Forest near Brevard. It’s kid-friendly and the upper view is wheelchair accessible. The waterfall is 60 feet tall and is named for the rock from which it flows, Looking Glass Rock. Its name is a result of the appearance of sunlight reflected off the sides of the rock in the winter when it ices over. Find directions and more information here. 

Catawba Falls

The 3-mile round-trip hike to the falls is a steady and slightly uphill walk, but is not difficult. If you are a seasoned and skilled hiker, you can extend your adventure with a strenuous and difficult climb to the 50-foot Upper Falls, but the middle falls is about 100 feet high and very dangerous if you are not skilled at climbing rocks and steep mountainsides.

Dupont State Forest Waterfalls Tour 

Get the most bang for your buck when you visit up to 5 of the 6 major waterfalls in Dupont State Forest. Start on an easy path to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area: Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Covered picnic shelters with views of the falls make for excellent family outings. If you wish to continue to Grassy Creek and Bridal Veil Falls, it becomes a moderate hike where you cross a big covered bridge and pass a beautiful mountain lake on the way – well worth the extra effort!

Whitewater Falls

The highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains is in Nantahala National Forest, and falls 411 feet to the Whitewater River below it. A paved walkway leads to an upper overlook, or choose a 154-step walk to the bottom overlook. It is well worth the walk, and the view is extraordinary. 

More Waterfalls

For even more waterfall adventures and excursions, as well as directions and more information, follow this link.

No matter what you’re hungry for, there’s bound to be a restaurant in Sylva or its neighbor Dillsboro that’ll hit the spot. If you can’t find it on Main Street, rest assured you won’t have to go far to find exactly what you’re seeking. Listed are a few restaurants we recommend.

Foragers Canteen

Foragers Canteen is a farm-to-table restaurant with fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. Chef Kevin Faini puts a unique spin on Southern favorites, as well as a Southern spin on international cuisine. BONUS: Sundog Vacation Rentals guests get a discount on meals.

5 Grindstaff Cove Road
Sylva, NC
(828)-307-2781

LuLu`s On Main

Lulu’s Cafe is known for its traditional offerings served with elevated sides and eclectic sauces, as well as craft beers and an impressive wine menu.

678 West Main Street
Sylva, NC
(828) 586-8989

City Lights Cafe

A great place to grab and go or sit for a spell, City Lights Cafe offers an array of sandwiches, bagels, burritos, salads, soups, and more.

3 East Jackson Street
Sylva, NC
(828) 587-2233

Mad Batter Kitchen

The Mad Batter serves up salads, pizza, hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, and vegetarian fare, as well as beer from Lazy Hiker Brewing. While you eat, you can catch a movie on the big screen.

617 West Main Street
Sylva, NC
(828) 586-3555

Jack the Dipper

For an ice cream fix and fresh-cooked waffle cones, try this local chain.

170 East Sylva Shopping Center
Sylva, NC
(828) 586-9441

Speedy`s Pizza

“Sylva’s original and best pizza restaurant” has been in the same location since 1973, and boasts a menu of traditional and unique pies.

285 W. Main St.
Sylva, NC
(828) 586-3800

Creekside Oyster House and Grill

Creekside specializes in fresh gulf coast oysters served any way you like ’em, as well as other types of fresh seafood.

483 Skyland Dr.
Sylva, NC
(828) 586-1985

Hookers Fly Shop and Guide Service

Hookers offers guided fly fishing trips on the Tuckasegee River, including the Tuckasegee Delayed Harvest Section, as well as guided fly fishing trips on the Oconaluftee River and the Raven’s Fork Trophy Water, and guided fly fishing trips on the upper and lower sections of the Nantahala River. 

546 West Main Street
Sylva, NC
(828)587-4665

AB`s Fly Fishing Guide Service

Located in Sylva, NC, Alex Bell’s guide services accommodate professional anglers, as well as beginners. Alex is a co-creator of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail, the nation’s first of is kind, as well as a certified adaptive fly fishing instructor.

Call (828) 226-3833 or visit the website to reserve your guide. 

Dream Catcher Guides

Dream Catcher Guides is a lake fishing service for Western North Carolina and Northern Georgia, including Lake Glenville, Fontana Lake, Bear Lake, Nantahala Lake, Lake Junaluska, and Lake Chatuge.

Call (828) 354-0250 or visit the website to book a guide. 

Brookings Anglers

Brookings Anglers is a fly fishing outfitter in Cashiers. The fly shop is located in proximity to fishing many different watersheds, and staff guides offer a variety of trout and smallmouth bass fishing expertise. 

123 Monte Vista Road
Cashiers, NC
(828) 743-3768

Tuckaseegee Fly Shop

The Fly Shop is just minutes from great fishing, and close to some of the best waters in the southeast, including fisheries like the Tuckasegee River, Nantahala River, Oconaluftee River, Ravens Fork, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and Fontana Lake. The shop’s guides have been fishing the waters of Western North Carolina and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park for years, and pride themselves in teaching and growing the sport of fly fishing.

530 West Main Street
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 488-3333

The Factory is a large-scale indoor amusement park featuring virtual reality games, an arcade, go-karts, laser tag, a carousel, mini-golf, kids’ play area with inflatables, bumper cars, the Jump Factory trampoline park, and pizza and taco restaurants.

1024 Georgia Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(866) 482-2386

Go back in time to the 18th century when Native Americans dominated the land. Guided tours will take you through craft demonstrations by award-winning artists who will explain Cherokee crafting techniques, meet historical Cherokee people in the living history section, and view special shows throughout the season such as “Time of War” and traditional Cherokee dancing. Open seasonally, from April until November

564 Tsali Blvd
Cherokee, NC
(833) 630-7033

Fire Mountain Trails

Located in the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, Fire Mountain is a multi-use trail system with 11.6 miles of berms, switchbacks, elevation rises as high as 2,224 feet, and more. 

Panthertown Trail Mountain Biking

These mountain biking trails offer 19 miles for riders who enjoy a truly off-the-beaten-path cycling experience. The scenic trails traverse through and around many of the valley’s most popular destinations, such as cliff-top views, waterfalls, and streams. A map is recommended before your visit.

Tuckasegee River Greenway Biking

The Tuckasegee River Greenway is a one-mile there-and-back trail along the Tuckasegee and is ideal for those who want a more relaxing and scenic biking experience. The paved trail maintains a flat elevation and is shaded along its entire course and offers coinvent amenities such as restrooms, parking, picnic benches, and a bike maintenance station.

Kids’ Bike Park at the Tuckasegee River Greenway

The Jackson County Greenway Kids’ Bike Park features a 750-foot bike trail suited for beginner bikers. Located less than half a mile along the paved and shaded Tuckasegee River Greenway, this trail system features tabletop jumps, pumps, berms, and even an inner gravel track for younger kids. 

WCU Trail System

The WCU Multi-Use Trail system is 6.8 miles of narrow single-track trail designed for foot traffic and mountain bike use. The trail is intermediate in difficulty with steep mountainside terrain. Although the elevation change from the trail’s highest to lowest point is just a few hundred feet, there are lots of ups and downs for bikers to enjoy.