This is the adventure seeker's tour!Fraser's Ridge Cherokee Adventure Tour focuses on the adventure that abounds in the North Carolina mountains PLUS the real history of the Cherokee! Choose to join us for one day, two days or even opt in to an extra special evening activity!
~ June 10, 11 ~
~ June 24, 25 ~
~ July 22, 23 ~
~August 5, 6 ~
*Join us for the weekend or a day!*
Our first day of the tour begins with a drive to Mingo Falls. Mingo Falls, meaning "Big Bear" in Cherokee, is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation known as the Qualla Boundary. At 120 feet, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians. Early summer is a fantastic time to visit the falls as mountain laurel and rhododendroms are blooming. The hike to the waterfall is only 0.4 miles and is considered moderate in difficulty. Please note you must climb and descend 160 stairs to take the short hike to view this amazing waterfall but it will be worth every stair step! (NOTE: YOU MAY OPT OF OF THIS STOP AND WE WILL CONNECT WITH YOU AFTER OUR HIKE.) After hiking back to our cars, we will catch our breath as we drive to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center via the South End Point of the Blue Ridge Parkway picking up any of our tour members who opted out of the hike to Mingo Falls. At the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, we will make at least two distinct stops. First, we will visit the museum which recounts the history of life in the Smokies from Native Americans and early European settlers to the creation of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Rangers will be available to answers your questions about the park. Adjacent to the Visitors Center & Museum, we will take a short walk to the Mountain Farm Museum which is a collection of farm buildings assembled from locations throughout the park. We will see a log farmhouse, barn, apple house, springhouse and a working blacksmith shop. The site also demonstrates historic gardening and agriculture practices, including livestock. NOTE! While we are the Oconaluftee Visitors Center & Mountain Farm Life Museum, we may just be lucky enough to see elk grazing in the fields. After disappearing from the Appalachian Mountains in the mid 1800's, the National Park Service reintroduced elk to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2001. The herd now numbers 200 or more. Next, we will take a break for lunch & brews at Native Brews Tap & Grille. Native American Brewing "brings together heritage and the earth’s bounty to create craft beverages with a deep connection to the land and the tribe’s rich past". One brew of your choice will be included with your lunch! We will drive a short one-half mile to our next stop, the historic Mingus Mill which was built in 1886. This grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building. Located on its original site, Mingus Mill stands as a tribute to the test of time. While there, a miller will demonstrate the process of grinding corn (ok, we know where YOUR mind is going!). Also, cornmeal and other mill-related items will be available for purchase. Mount up! Our final adventure of the day will be horseback riding (or, if you'd prefer a wagon ride) at Smokemont Riding Stables. Smokemont is "an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service". On our one-hour horseback ride, we will ford the Oconaluftee River while our guide shares the beauty & history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you choose the wagon ride, you will travel alongside the Oconaluftee River and pass fields where wildlife is frequently spotted while your driver shares historical information with you along the way. After leaving our saddles and trusty steeds behind, you may opt-in to our final activity of Day 1, the outdoor drama Unto These Hills, which includes dinner. Please see the section below for details. Or, if you choose, you may check into the accommodations of your choice in Cherokee or Bryson City with dinner on your own. Accommodation recommendations are below.
Join us for our first evening in Cherokee as we witness the tragic and triumphant story of the Cherokee that traces back to the years before the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears to present day. The outdoor drama, Unto These Hills, is performed during the summer at the 2800-seat Mountainside Theatre and is the third oldest outdoor historical drama in the United States having run for more than 60 years. Before the drama, we will enjoy a barbecue dinner provided by the theatre and you will receive a souvenir program. If you are joining us for Day 2, check into the accommodations of your choice in Cherokee or Bryson City. Recommendations are below.
Day 2 of our adventure begins with a visit to the Cherokee Indian Museum where we will experience 13,000 years of Cherokee history. Their story is told through computer generated animation and special effects. In fact, the museum is heralded as a "model for museums" by Van Romans of Disney Imagineering and has been voted one of the Top Ten BEST Native American Experiences by USA Today. Next we will take a short two-minute drive to the Oconaluftee Indian Village where we will go through the stones to the 18th Century. It is here that we will see what life was like for the Cherokee Indians of the North Carolina mountains in Jamie & Claire's time. Guided tours will take us through craft demonstrations by artists who will explain the unique Cherokee crafting techniques. After our guided tour, we will travel at our own pace to meet historical Cherokee people in the living history area. We will also witness a traditional dance show. Before leaving the Oconaluftee Indian Village, we'll eat lunch together in the picnic area of the Village. After leaving the 18th century behind us, we will drive to Grumpy Bear Campground located just outside of Bryson City, where we will look for treasures at their gem mining center. You'll receive a three gallon bucket in which you're sure to find many semi-precious gemstones - perfect for traveling back in time through the stones! After sifting for and collecting our gemstones, we'll be ready for afternoon refreshments on the banks of the Tuckasegee River with a glass of wine. The name Tuckasegee may be an anglicization or transliteration of the Cherokee word daksiyi—[takhšiyi] in the local Cherokee variety, meaning 'Turtle Place.' Several Cherokee towns developed along the river, including Kituwa, believed to be the "mother town" of the Cherokee. The river also has several stone fishing weirs built by prehistoric indigenous peoples. It is believed that the weirs were built by peoples who lived here prior to the Cherokee in the Southeast. The weirs are most easily viewed when water levels are low. As we begin to wind up our time together, we will experience the flavors of Italy for dinner at Anthony's Derailed Bar & Lounge in Bryson City. Anthony's offers an upscale, relaxed, full-bar, dining and lounge experience with excellent craft beer, imported wines, pizzas and pastas! Finally, our Fraser's Ridge Cherokee Adventure Tour ends in Bryson City with authentic Native American storytelling & history by Lianna Constantino, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation from Oklahoma who now lives and works among the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina. Now, it's time for you to head back to your accommodations to dream about all of the wonderful history & adventures you experienced on the Fraser's Ridge Cherokee Adventure Tour! Accommodation recommendations are below.
ALL admission prices, meals, tips, souvenir glasses, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages (except as indicated) are included in your one or two day ticket. ~ PLUS ~ BOOK BY JUNE 3 TO RECEIVE $15 OR $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD DEPENDING ON TOUR TYPE CHOSEN! *See our note about Accommodations in the section below.*
Hello from Beth & Carolyn! We are lifelong North Carolina residents plus hopelessly obsessed Outlander fans. We are honored to be your guides as we explore the vast area of Fraser's Ridge and beyond. We are excited to share the rich history as well as the Outlander connection of our home state with YOU! Travel through the stones to 18th & 19th century North Carolina. Read more about our Outlandish story by clicking on the "Your Guides" title above.
Due to it's popularity last year and results of a recent survey, we will be touring the area "caravan" style. Follow us in the comfort of your own vehicle as we visit Fraser's Ridge. Narration provided along the way via walkie talkies.
Accommodations are NOT included in the ticket price; however, we have offered our suggestions for accommodations for each day of the tour below. Find your perfect stay by clicking on the "Accommodations" title above or select "Help Me Find Accommodations" when booking your tour.
We want YOU to stay healthy & well! Masks are NOT required unless required by the sites that we visit; HOWEVER, If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask on our tours, please do so.
> Please wear comfortable clothing and appropriate walking shoes. > A folding chair or camp chair. > Rain gear. This is a rain or shine tour. > In the event you would like to make incidental purchases throughout the day or additional alcoholic beverages, please bring a method of payment. > Camera or cellphone for photo taking. > FULL tank of gas. > Your smiles, good nature and adventurous spirit!
NO children under 13 years of age. The ringer on your cellphone (please silence cellphones when with the group). Besides, cell phone service is unavailable in many areas on the Ridge.
Payment of a non-refundable deposit equal to one-half of the tour cost is required to book a tour. Balance is due ten (10) days prior to the tour date. We MUST have at least 8 people to sign up for the tour in order to proceed. If 8 people have not signed up seven days prior to the tour date, the tour will be canceled and ALL monies paid refunded less a $25 reservation fee OR you may transfer to another tour date. Click "Payments & Refunds" above to see our refund and cancellation policy.
The towns of Cherokee and Bryson City are located approximately 10 miles apart. Drive time from one to the other is approximately 20 minutes.
Before booking through AirBnb or VRBO, please message the owner to find out the distance from Cherokee.
Before booking through AirBnb or VRBO, please message the owner to find out the distance from Bryson City.
Don't stop with Day 1! Join us for Day 2!
Don't Wait, Sassenach!
Check out our Fraser's Ridge Overmountain History one and two day tours below! We can’t wait to show you around!
