Oconaluftee Indian Village Tours

With interactive demonstrations and cultural displays, the Oconaluftee Indian Village is a living-history exhibit that takes you back in time to a 1760s town. Follow your guide along a network of trails that pass traditional homes, gardens, and ceremony sites. Then, watch artisans make baskets, sculpt pottery, and build canoes.

The Basics
At the Oconaluftee Indian Village, discover the way of life for Cherokee people before the colonization of the United States. Tour authentic re-creations of homes, watch and learn traditional dances, and see early hunting demonstrations and battle reenactments. Additionally, understand more about the tribe’s history and culture through interactive and informative lectures. To save time at the entrance, buy your ticket online in advance—a guided tour is included.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The village is a must for American Indian culture enthusiasts and history buffs.
• The grounds are wheelchair-accessible, but some terrain is uneven and can be challenging to navigate.
• Purchase handmade crafts and souvenirs at the Eternal Flame Gift Shop.
• Children 12 and under get free admission with a paying adult.

How to Get There
The Oconaluftee Indian Village is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Asheville in the town of Cherokee, near the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From Asheville, take I-40 West, then take exit 27 and follow US 19 to US 441. In Cherokee, take Hospital Road to Drama Road—you’ll find the village on your left.

When to Get There
The village is open Monday through Saturday from the beginning of April until the beginning of November. Tours leave every 15 minutes from 9:30am to 4pm (except from 11:30am to 12:30pm). Go in October or November for “leaf looking” season. Contact the box office for details on kids’ arts and crafts classes.

Unto These Hills
Finish off your day of learning about the Cherokee tribe by catching a performance of Unto These Hills, an action-packed, family-friendly outdoor drama. Held at the Cherokee Mountainside Theatre, across the street from Oconaluftee Indian Village, the play happens every summer evening (except Sundays). Find more details and purchase tickets online.