Oconaluftee Indian Village is a great place to visit to learn more about the Cherokee and how they lived in the 1700s. As I bought a combo ticket with Unto the Hills and wasn't given a ticket for the Village I arrived with my receipt and ticket for the show. That was scanned and allowed me in. Tours start about every 15 minutes or when a large enough group is formed. The tour is guided and we stopped at stations to learn about weaving; bead work; woodworking. Some of the stops were at dwellings and ritual sites. We saw traps for animals. They had a unique way to catch fish with the trap that was placed in the water. Some of the stops didn't have anyone working so the guide just talked about it. One guide took us on the tour and two separate guides talked with tour groups mixed together about the customs and rituals in the Council House. There was no dancing done at the dance grounds. They did talk about the different tribes. read more

See all

This was a trip back in time to enjoy the tribe showing the ways of crafting, weapons making and the classic housing. With the finale being the dances of the tribe. This is well worth visiting to see the culture and the wonderful people. read more

See all

An incredible experience that's well worth both your time and money. We enjoyed it even more than the SMRailroad. The tour was highly informative and fun, with surroundings reminiscent of some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the state. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend adding this to your itinerary while visiting the area. read more

Oconaluftee Indian Village - Pottery - Cultural Center Near Me - Cherokee, North Carolina

See all

Bad all around. Village tour needs a lot of work. Bad tour guides who know nothing. Show was canceled, zero refunds. Only a rain check that has to be used within a year. Wont be back. read more

The Cherokee people graciously allow visitors a glimpse of their culture and history at this replica village. Finger weaving, beadwork, mask carving and woodworking, bow and weapon making, pottery and basket making are demonstrated and narrated by docents at various stations along the way as small groups tour the outdoor village and grounds. The native docents or guides provide explanations and background at each stop and encourage questions. They are especially attentive to the questions of children. Historically, Cherokee children would begin learning all of these skills around the age of 3 and educating children and perserving Chreokee culture remains very important to the Cherokee. However, don't misunderstand; the village, while family friendly, is a place adults will love! We had a little difficulty finding a single website for information or consistent info about tickets so here's what we now know: tickets can be purchased on line or in person. They are are not timed, meaning you have no appointed entrance time, but small groups (10 or so folks) are admitted about 15 minutes apart. Strollers may be permitted, but because the terrain is hard-packed dirt, using them might be more trouble than it is worth. 3-5 year ups will be interested for most of the tour, but an 18-month old may have trouble staying quiet as docents make their presentations. However, you can move about with them if needed. This is is a great stop on a trip to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My advice is to visit here after a couple of days of busy hiking and dealing with crowds found on the most popular trails and nature spots as everyone tries to experience "the great outdoors" at the same time and place. The village is a peaceful escape and oasis of calm where the Cherokee's strong connection to the land and their values of group harmony and sharing and giving time, talent and treasures are borne out. Visiting here will reset your nature meter. The village tour includes examples of various types of houses built and lived in by the Cherokee at various stages of history. The narration along this section of the village explains why the houses are different and provides a non-political look into the intersection of the Cherokee way of life with others who came later. At the final two stops of the tour, the emphasis is on the different roles of the seven clans and the political and social structure of the Cherokee people. Follow up the tour by walking through the garden gate and around the perimeter of the village. It is a short, easy walk through beautiful plants and along moss-covered walls set to the sound of gentle flowing streams. We visited in October shortly before the close of the season at month's end and Covid precautions were in place. This meant some of the activities, like dancing, were not included in the tour, but we were fully satisfied with our experience and felt like we didn't miss out on anything. read more

See all

We drove a long way to see this based on the reviews and left disappointed. The replica buildings were in poor repair. The staff were lackadaisical and didn't want to talk to us until they were going to give their once an hour talk. The talks were informative, but they weren't interested in sharing anything more than their rehearsed program. The exhibit at Jamestown is far more informative and lively. They could do so much more -especially with the price that they are charging. read more

We enjoyed our tour with Colin. It was evident he was a very informed young man Who had studied Indian ways and gave us much information about the crafts and living of the Cherokee lives in the past. We rushed from our hotel for a 9:30 am tour I was told it would not be starting till 9:45 am. The ticket counters were opened a few minutes after 9:30. We were encouraged to go to the gift shop and use the restroom before it started. The gift shop is very small. The restroom had not been cleaned the night before, with trash spilling from garbage can. Other than that, it was most informative and enjoyable. read more

See all

A wonderful learning experience! Learn about the Cherokee people and culture from Cherokee people. The tour of the village was great and our guide was wonderful. I really enjoyed learning more about the real Cherokee people, how they lived, and debunking the myths about their people. Definitely going to visit in the future when they begin hosting their dances again! read more

This is a total ripoff! We paid 25 dollar each to see a few craftworks. The tour guide was rude and making fun of visitors saying to other colleagues that they should make a vip tour and making jokes about that. The show was cancelled because of the rain before but it was not raining at all! We did not see any people dressing up like the native Americans did. Not even worth 5 dollars. Terrible experience read more

The staff is what makes this place an amazing experience. While older staff supervise and work on traditional crafts and skills, younger staff lead the tours. They discuss their culture and traditions, the meaning behind their art and dance, and how life was lived in a Cherokee village. The gift shop has beautiful art for sale. Be sure to check it out. read more

The Village is an interactive example of what Cherokee life was like in the 1700's. The tour takes you to numerous stations including: finger weaving, beading, pottery, basket weaving, wood carving, and weapon making. Cherokee are actually making the tools and items that were used in everyday life. The guide provides a good overview of what is being done at each area and how the items were used in daily life. Visitors have the opportunity to ask questions so it is a very educational experience. They host a performance several times a day with Cherokee and actors from "Unto These Hill" playing the roles. The plays rotate from one day to another. On our visit we saw a recreation of a fight between the Cherokee and British which was entertaining. Make sure to go into the community sweat lodge and listen to the speaker. It is very informative. Ask the people at all exhibits questions, they love their history and welcome the opportunity to share. Admission is $19.95 which is not inexpensive, but if you have an interest in the Cherokee culture, it is money well spent. read more

Pretty cool guided tour, with lots of "cast" demonstrating the way of doing things. I left with a better appreciation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian, how they lived, etc. A great way to learn the history of these people, and develop an understanding of them. The con, and perhaps I'm just cheap, I thought it was a tad pricey. read more

Clearly, they are not plowing back any of the profits into making it more enriching. You visit perhaps four stations with a guide showing people with their crafts - basket weaving, tool making, pottery, etc. There are also some buildings to visit - basically to just pop your head in. The guide does all the talking. Ours was so blasé and nonchalant and spoke so quickly, it was clear she had somewhere better to be. She was probably just burnt out. Apparently, the exhibits and experience have not been updated in years. There was a more animated speaker at the end although some of his points might need some fact checking. It was educational but for the $19 admission, they could do a lot better. Would price this closer to $10-12 and that might be a bit generous. It took about an hour to go through. There are no signs, videos to watch or additional explanatory materials. Basically, it's really done on the cheap. Very basic. I've seen high school productions that were more authentic. Would have to advise saving the money and rent a video. read more

Oconaluftee Indian Village was everything we had hoped it would be. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Everyone greeted us with kindness and answered all questions that the group had. The dancing was fun, and after the tour we walked around learning more about the Cherokee culture and speaking to other people who work there. read more

See all

I've been here many times as a kid. Going as an adult helped me to better understand my heritage.

Took the family to enrich them with Native American culture. The village tour is very good. You have the option to have a guide or not. I would recommend using the guide. They explain every section with the right amount of detail and are incredibly knowledgeable. The guide explained how and where they got the materials to make all the crafts, tools and clothing. Stick around for the "battle" exhibition. It is entertaining and somewhat humbling how the native Americans were treated by settlers. My children enjoyed the tour a lot. The gift shop is quaint, but you'll find something to buy. I would have rated this higher, but it is somewhat expensive. For a family of four it was $85. Also, bring insect repellent. read more

With my family and I's fascination is history, we tend to take a trip every year to explore and gain more knowledge of our areas past. This year we decided to take a trip to Cherokee, NC. Not knowing this place, we asked locals where we could go to get a better grip on the city's history and the Oconaluftee Indian Village was strongly advised to us. Located just minutes from downtown Cherokee and our hotel, it was very convenient to go see what the talk was about. When we arrived at the village we were given the option to take a tour guide or walk through the village ourselves. Seeing as that we were trying to learn more information about the village itself we decided that a guided tour. The tour takes you to numerous spots or huts within the village including: weapon making, pottery, canoe constructing, basket weaving, and beading. As you went to each spot in the village, the tour guide was very knowledgeable, telling you about how the Cherokee would use the tools they constructed out of barely nothing, to produce even bigger and better items that they used every day. While the tour gave you the overview of the spot, there would be people actually making the items right in front of you. With the village made up of seven different tribes, there was a lot of information available to soak in. During the guided experience we were taken to a courtyard type layout and a drama was put on for us. The drama was a recreation of a fight between the Cherokee and British which we enjoyed very much. The performance was actually very professional and the roles were played by actors from the famous "Unto These Hills". As our tour came to an end we were able to walk around freely and enter the lodges within the village. In the head lodge we were able to sit down and a guide was able to educate us on the different tribes. Each tribe's main task was to maintain a certain aspect of their way of life in order to preserve the village and its people, such as doctoral or food harvesting obligations. When exiting the village we were able to enjoy a cold drink from the concessional area and the gift shop. The gift shop was full of souvenirs and toys for the children. I saw many things they were making in the huts available for purchase inside the store. The whole geographical layout of the area was very impressive. It made you feel as if you were back in time with them. These people have maintained this area just for the motive to educate people and make sure their culture isn't lost in time. The value of this experience is priceless and I would highly recommend it to anyone. read more

See all

This was a terrific experience! The setting is beautiful and the stops on the walking lecture were so interesting. Watching traditional handicrafts done by members of the EBCI was thrilling to me, as a Cherokee Nation tribal member raised off the res. I would recommend this to anyone enjoying the area. read more

We went today with our seven year old son. We had a great time. The folks who work there are super friendly and glad to interact with guests. They are proud of their heritage and grateful for a chance to share it with others. We really enjoyed the dance performance and seeing how the Cherokee lived. We only wish we had been there at the right time for our son to join in the crafts! read more

See all

I found myself amazed at how many people left here saying "This sucks." These people would probably pay money to go into Disneyland, and leave after an hour, without going on any of the rides, and complain that, it too, sucked. So before you go, make sure you understand a few of basic fundamental things: 1. This is not an amusement park. This is a humble recreation of a Cherokee village, as the Cherokee lived before and during the time when European settlers moved in. 2. It is interactive. Don't plan on going from exhibit to exhibit gawking at people for thirty seconds, then move on. Ask questions, inquire, make statements, and just plain interact. That's why they are there! 3. Don't expect it to be a village that's been portrayed in a movie you may have seen. Chances are, the movie will be wrong when compared to the facts (here's a hint -Cherokee generally did not and do not live in teepees 4. If you go, choosing to ignore the previous three things, don't complain. That being said.... The Oconaluftee Indian Village is an interactive replica of a typical 18th century Cherokee village that once was commonly found throughout the region. The center itself, operated by the Cherokee Historical Association, refers to the village as a "living museum" that has gone to great strides to be as authentic to the mid-1700's as possible. Regular exhibits include traditional pottery making, basket weaving, blowgun making and accuracy demonstrations, mask making, and re-enactments of daily life. As previously noted, this is an interactive exhibition in more ways than one. In addition to the daily interactions and displays, you and/or your kids can sign up for craft classes. Next to the village, and sometimes overlooked, is the botanical garden. Not so much a garden as much as it is a quiet walk in the woods, the various indigenous plant life has been labeled, along with brief descriptions of their traditional uses. An actual vegetable garden can be found, though near the end of the garden walk, along with a preserved 19th century cabin that easily could still be occupied to this very day. It's highly recommended to take your time on this, and quietly at that; no talking, no cell phones, no music players. Just yourself along with the sights and sounds of nature -nothing else is needed. Spending an afternoon at the village, without a doubt, is an enriching experience on more levels than one. Just come with an open mind, and leave all preconceived notions in the parking lot. read more

Amazing. Would have liked it to be a little more open-style , rather than a trail. The brochure seemed to indicate it was more like a living-breathing village. It wasn't - however, it was authentic, educational, staffed by friendly people and one lady took the time to teach my wife the basics of finger weaving (my wife does crocheting, so it's a cousin-craft). The fight scene and council meeting was great - but please, visitors, keep your kids quiet - crying or disruptive kids ruins it for everyone. read more

This attraction is a recreation of a Cherokee Indiana village around the year 1800. You'll see fences, buidings, tools, and some animals. Good: No waiting. For the most part, guests pull into the parking lot and walk around the village at their own pace. Bad: Kids could get bored fast, though I do think it will hold their interest if moving pretty quickly from the different features. If passing between Gatlinburg/Smokies and Cherokee NC, absolutely pull in and browse around. Take as long as you'd like. Oh yeah... it's FREE. read more

The village is a great way to encounter the Cherokee culture for the first time and experience its fascinating history. The dances are quaint and mildly entertaining, the guides and the people who work there are extremely friendly and are really happy to answer any questions about their history, traditions and crafts. There's obviously a gift shop at the end. I'd say that a visit takes about an hour. For that amount of activities and time $20, however, is a very hefty price. Not worth every penny, but a good way to familiarize yourself with the Cherokee, especially if on a tight schedule. read more

I believe other reviews said it best, but I found this to be very interesting and worth our time. Others that reviewed it poorly must have had a very high expectation of what was offered here. Everyone was friendly, and although there are many young people working there that may not know all the answers to your questions, there was always an elder nearby that could provide an answer or context. They are trying to involve the next generation by design. I wouldn't drive here just for this destination, but if you're visiting the area this addition will make for a well-rounded trip in the area along with the museums, etc. read more

I definitely recommend coming here if you're passing by. It's not like a typical tourist trap. I got the feeling that this place is cherished by the ones running it. They take the time to show you in depth the ways of their culture. The staff is very friendly and will answer any questions you have. If you come here you have to stay for their show at their outdoor amphitheater at night. It shows about the way America treated them along the Trail of Tears. The location is beautiful and easy to get to. It was worth every cent of my money. I will definitely be back multiple times within the future. read more

Best time ever!!! I met sooo many wonderful people! Everyone who works in the village were so willing to answer questions and were happy that we were truly interested! Do yourself a favor, put down your phone and sincerely interact with these beautiful people!!! read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the village. This is a "living museum" venue with a guided tour and reinactors that explain the history, crafts, and way of life for the Eastern Cherokee Tribe. We learned about weaving, pottery making, napping flint, and how they made their ceremonial masks. There were examples of the different types of homes they lived in over the years as well as the ceremonial house. Questions were encouraged. I think it would probably be a good idea to visit the museum before going to the village. . read more

A very solid experience is waiting for you at the village. Not a "tourist trap" by any definition. In fact, it was the best part of visiting Cherokee. read more

It was really well done. I learned a lot about the Cherokee culture, their crafts and how they lived. The tour guide and crafters were nice. Also went on the nature trail. Just well done everything. read more

What an amazing vacation we had in Cherokee. this was one of our best family trips ever! i highly recommend visiting this vilage if you are in the area. read more

We visited the Oconaluftee Indian Village very early in our stay in the Great Smoky Mountains. The village helped me better understand how life might have been for members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, and visiting definitely helped me understand how important it is for them to retain their culture for future generations. We saw examples of daily life like pottery, beading, canoe carving, examples of a home and community buildings, as well as dances. Our guides were all members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee community who are helping the public understand their people and their dedication to their heritage. Thank you. read more

One of my favorite part of the Smokies visit. The guides were so sincere and passionate about the Cherokee culture.

Do NOT waste your money!!! It is a joke!!! We got a discount, paid 30$, & headed to the seating area. Where everyone sits in certain benches w/ a roof over your head & says your tribe name. It's a middle aged guy who has no pants on, just chaps, that directs the whole thing w/ a CELLPHONE script. The young Indian adults & a white guy just dance & sing & laugh in the middle for an hour. LAME. I thought I was going to see actual Indian show. It was kids making fun of the whole thing. At least that's how I felt. Then a tour from a white woman about the Indians past on what they made and how they made braids, baskets, wooden stuff, weapons, boats but it's all just fake. So great for kids! Don't ask serious questions because they don't know when or what or why. Believe me. Someone asked a great question as to when did they start using manufactured thread and they did not know. I wish I never travelled to NC for this. Do not get your hopes up. read more

An interactive look at how the Cherokee lived. The trails from location to location are beautiful, and the living history exhibits are very interesting. read more

7/2 I loved this experience, culture, and language. My paternal grandmother was of Cherokee and it made me very proud to know the history. The play "Unto These Hills" was awesome! The tour of the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the dances was wonderful! Now, this will be a yearly visit. read more

I've visited the Oconaluftee village twice and most recently with my 8 yo daughter. This place is a step back in time and if anyone finds it boring then it's because they do not care for history. My 8 yo was very interested and asked questions of our guide and paid close attention to the demonstrations. Here one can dispel many myths or preconceived notion of the Cherokee people that we have been subjected to in movies and television. My daughter is happily telling everyone she sees what she saw; what she learned from our guide about common misconceptions, and society's role in perpetuating falsehoods. The village is a guided tour that includes learning about daily life of the Cherokee as well as learing about their political structure. There is also a garden area where you can wander at your own pace and enjoy nature. The cost for my daughter and I was $36 and it was well worth it. I think my daughter will be interested in history when learning in a "hands on" kind of way, and I also love that she was positively impacted by her visit and through listening to and talking with our guide. Our guide encouraged her to share the stories he was sharing with us, and to stand up to those that share false information. I think this is a wonderful venue for learning and I'm glad to have been able to experience it. read more

Arrive about 10am. Was alittle surprised at the cost, 19 dollars, saved 2 by my Triple A card that they did check. The village first went in and saw basket weaving, pottery, and hunting or toolmaking sessions... Made the 12 noon session on the traditional indian dance. The square was full of visitors, to include at least 3 school groups. The kids were well behaved, and I admire the teachers who were interested in making sure their kids were paying attention to the show. The huts and tribal council sessions were very interesting. Since it had rained many days before this past Tuesday in Western NC, the grounds were alittle slippery as you moved from area to area. The woods and the huge trees, and the stations with the burning wood etc really give a sense of what life was like for the Cherokee. Well worth the time, I spent over 4 hours here. Best part of my 2 days in Cherokee area, and the leaves on the drive in were wonderful. read more