Maggie Valley is the prefect place to day trip to or from. There are so many wonderful places that are very close to either day trip from or to. So while you’re here why not check out some other wonderful cities that surround this wonderful…Read More

Maggie Valley is the prefect place to day trip to or from. There are so many wonderful places that are very close to either day trip from or to. So while you’re here why not check out some other wonderful cities that surround this wonderful mountain town.

Ashville.

People come from all over to take in the sheer beauty of this splendid mountain town full of history, culture and that small mountain town charm. The city lies less than an hour from Maggie Valley.

The biggest attraction around in the Biltmore House (www.biltmore.com) Guest can explore the largest private estate in the country as well as the gardens and winery. You can eat in several restaurants on the premises, stay on the estate, and take part in a number of tours and outdoor activities including off road jeep trips and touring the estate by bike or horse. The most popular events are the Festival of Flowers from April through May and Christmas at Biltmore Estate from November through the end of the year.

Another great and historical place to stay in the magnificent Grove Park Inn (groveparkinn.com). The art deco inn has seen its share of celebrities and plays host to the annual Gingerbread Cook-off that was highlighted on Food TV. The celebration goes from November until, the last of the year.

Other great places to explore include the 1840 Smith-McDowell House, The Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Carl Sandburg home, devoted to the 2 classic writers. Shop at the restored art deco Grove Arcade. Get your history lesson through either the Ghost or Historical trolley. And check out the downtown area which boasts the largest art deco collection buildings in the southeast outside of Miami. The area is a haven for art fans and foodies as well. My favorite TV personality Rachel Ray was even in town!

For more information and a guide book go to www.exploreashville.com.


Cherokee Reservations

Less than 30 minutes down the road you will find the reservation belonging to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians tribe, which is the second largest Cherokee tribe in the country.

Now there is no doubting that many people come here to partake in the Vegas appeal of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. Here you can play games of change or just enjoy the one arm bandits. In addition they have fine dining, top entertainment (Willie Nelson was coming soon when we were in town), and at the end of the night you can tuck in at the hotel all so you can get up early all to start over again.

But if you’re coming here, I do encourage you to checkout the culture attractions that give you an idea what makes the people so proud. From mid June through the end of August make sure to check out the award winning outdoor play Unto These Hills which has been fascinating audiences for almost 60 years. For a look at the history of the Cherokees check out the impressive Museum of the Cherokee Indian you can read my previous journal for more information. And lastly take time to explore the hands on museum of the Oconaluftee Indian Village. There are also plenty of places to send you vacation dollars and places to dine.

For more information go to www.cherokee-nc.om


Dillsboro

Just town the road from Cherokee, visitors can delight in the timeless charm of Dillsboro.
Dillsboro is like stepping back in time with historical buildings, and active downtown, and a haven for creative types. Their works can be found in gift shops and galleries all over town. Take a look at simpler times at the 1908 Moneith Farmstead.

One of the main attractions in town is the Great Smokey Railroad (www.gsmr.com). The railroad offers many unique adventures. There are dinner trains, fall leak peeking trips, trips that explore the wintry beauty the months bring, and trips that explore warm months by trail and white water rafting. For kids, Thomas the Trains pulls into town and at Christmas kids can wear the jammies and enjoy the Polar Express, inspired by the popular movie featuring the delightful Tom Hanks .

For more information; www.dillsboronc.info.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tn.

Sitting within 30 minutes of each other and an hour from Maggie Valley, these two spectacular cities are a fantastic family fun destination or a romantic getaway.

In addition to their breath taking beauty they both share many wonderful adventures. There are many year round adventures for the outdoor fan. Both are part of the great Smoky Mountain National Park. The place is full of beauty and great hikes and eye-popping beauty in the fall. In the summer visitors can hike, hit the links at the golf courses or for family fun hit the putt-putt courses, as well as take in the waters though kayaking or white water rafting. In the winter time outdoor fans can enjoy skiing. The sounds of country and blue grass music fill the air and there are numbers of venues for fans though both cities.

Gatlinburg in home to the Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum as well as the newly built Ripley's Aquarium. A hit with all ages. There is a Hollywood Wax museum and take the gondola up to the top of the mountain and enjoy the views from the top. The city is also home to one of the newest Hard Rock cafes.

Pigeon Forge is of course home to country music Dolly Parton and her renowned Dollywood. There is also a speedpark and for an amazing view of this city try a helicopter tour. This is also the place to get married. There is a no waiting period or blood tests. You can try the knot in style or just a simple county church. Just like I did 12 years ago!

Another great thing about both cities. No matter if you like your vittles from a country setting or your fine cuisine in a top notch restaurant. The possibilities are endless. I have several older journals on both cities.

For more information; www.mypigeonforge.com and www.gatlinburgtennessee.com.

Knoxville Tn.

In 1992 millions of people from around the world came to Knoxville for the World’s Fair. Today’s visitors to this Southern gem can still see the globe that stands as a symbol of the city. Just an hour’s drive will have you in this fine city.

Check out the Armstrong-Lockette House, the Art Gallery of Knoxville, the historic Blount Mansion, the WP Toms Memorial Gardens, and families will enjoy the Knoxville Zoo.

Historic home lovers will delight at the chance to see inside some of the cities historical gems at the Old North’s annual tour of homes. You can check out www.oldnorthknoxville.org.

For more information please go to: www.knoxville.org.

So I hope if you’re in town you will enjoy the neighbors and if you’re in a neighboring city, I hope you will come and enjoy the unique beauty of Maggie Valley.




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Located in the Cherokee Indian Reservation you can of course find many Native American items. Of course you can find things from cheap children’s toys such as tomahawks and dolls that are most likely made in China and not a real representation of these people.…Read More

Located in the Cherokee Indian Reservation you can of course find many Native American items. Of course you can find things from cheap children’s toys such as tomahawks and dolls that are most likely made in China and not a real representation of these people. You can also find authentic museum quality crafts here made by the local tribe. You can find everything to exquisite pottery to elaborate headdresses and statues. Just keep in mind superior quality means higher prices. So if it has a cheap price tag most likely it isn’t the real thing. There are ways to make sure you are purchasing authentic items and I will discuss that later. Cherokee is 15 miles down the road so just go there to purchase Native crafts and spend the money where it is needed.

Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Highway 441 and Drama Rd.
Cherokee, NC
828-497-3481
Website: www.cherokeemuseum.org

After touring this wonderful museum, visitors should take the time to browse the extensive gift shop located at the front of the museum.

The gift shops cover 2 rooms and consist of the typical and the exquisite. The front room seems to contain the typical gift shop souvenirs. Here you can find postcards, T's and sweatshirts, bags, Christmas ornaments, dolls, masks, jewelry, bumper stickers, snacks, and plenty of children’s play things.

In the back though is where you find the higher quality items. Here they have a large collection of books on Native American life and lore, genuine handmade crafts, and the more elaborate jewelry. Here you can find pottery, blankets, sculptures, dolls, masks, and wooden made items. All hand crafted and gorgeous. Even if it is not within your budget, do come and take a look around.

We picked up a book on Native American lore for John, a doll for my niece, a T Shirt for my nephew, sweatshirts for us, and a beautiful silver charm for my bracelet. I also purchased a bumper sticker, patch, and lapel pins for my collections and scrapbook.

Shopping here will ensure you are purchasing bona fide Native crafts and helps keep this amazing place going.

The Indian Store
1016 Tsalagi Rd.
Cherokee, NC
828-497-2330

Out of all the cheap souvenir shops I chose this place because it didn’t have signs indicating they had T-Shirts 3 for $10 or clothing hanging outside that was more typical of a Caribbean island instead of a Native reservation.

When we started to go in, a Native gentleman opened the door for us letting us know this was the place to go for Native crafts and asked if I would like my picture taken with a real Indian (a word that irks the heck out of John who himself is part Cherokee). I laughed and indicated every time I had my picture taken with John I did. But told him I would love to when we finished shopping. But upon exiting he was gone and I never did get my photo.

Like many shops along this stretch of road, the business seems to be run by non-Natives and is filled with most brilliant crafts and tacky, cheap, stereotypical that in no way represent these proud people and are most likely made an ocean away in China or India where Columbus thought he landed.

I was here mainly for the pottery. I have a small collection of beautiful Native American pottery that I have picked up over the years when we have traveled to the mountains and wanted another piece to add to my collection. There are displays after display of these amazing works or arts in varying sizes, shapes, and colors. I walked from one to the other trying to figure out how I can possibly pick just one among some many striking offerings. That is why I may have missed my photo opportunity as it took me an hour and 15 minutes to come away one with one prized vase that now sits in my room devoted to the people of my husband’s heritage. I ended up with a beautiful 6" black vase with scenes of mountains and wolves on it. It was a hard choice but in the end the wolves stole my heart and made their way to my house. Even though these pieces aren’t cheap, they are still affordable. This work of art still only set me back $20.

A word on buying Native American crafts.

Throughout Maggie Valley and the surrounding area you can purchase many stunning crafts that have been made by members of the local tribes. You can also find gaudy mass market produced items made in some other country, even on the reservation it’s self. By buying authentic items you not only put money into a community that has been royally screwed over for more than 200 years (and still continues to do so) but you help preserve the ever vanishing heritage of these people. In order to make sure you are spending your dollars wisely here are a few hints.

1. The price. As with all superior made crafts, the higher the quality the higher the price tag. Small pieces of pottery start at around $20 and go up to several hundred dollars. Now you can find bowls and such painted in "Native Colors" but they are massed produced pieces costing around $5. Now I do have a few of them myself but they are used as planters for my plants. My one-of-a-kind beauties proudly have their own shelf and not even as much as a pencil is put in them.
2. One of a kind versus mass market. Again authentic items will be one of a kind. Even if the artist has items that look alike, take a close look and there will be slight differences in each item.
3. Identifying marks. In this area items that are produces by Natives are signed and have a stamp on the bottom assuming you have an real item. Many will also come with a small certificate further insuring you have invested wisely in your new piece of art. My pottery piece included its own certificate which goes in my file with all the ones from my other pieces.
4. Shop with reputable stores. Now that may be harder if you’re traveling. But shopping in such places as museum gift shops and galleries insure that you have the real thing and not a knock of from China. Also shopping in the reservation if possible helps ensure that your money stays within this community. And having one of the Natives outside of the stores helps as well.

Both Cherokee and Maggie Valley have strip malls and more stores that you can imagine. There should be plenty of things to find for even the most die hard of shoppers. So lace up your comfy shoes and be prepared to shop till you drop in the heart of the Smokey Mountains.


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Soco Road or Highway 19 that extends through the middle of Maggie Valley is where you will find the majority of shopping options. Here you will find a variety of shops selling everything from tacky touristy items, clothing, crafts, and food to top of the…Read More

Soco Road or Highway 19 that extends through the middle of Maggie Valley is where you will find the majority of shopping options. Here you will find a variety of shops selling everything from tacky touristy items, clothing, crafts, and food to top of the line crafts.

While I was in town, I found these wonderful places to blow your tourist dollars.

Scrappin in The Mountains
3469 Soco Rd. Market Square
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
828-926-2051
Email: scrappininthemou@bellsouth.net

Owner Christel Kirkpatrick has a hidden gem in her delightful scrapbook store.

As I have mentioned many times, it is always a good idea to seek out a scrapbook store when on vacation as they often have great local items. This store is no exception. As soon as I walked in I was greeted by Christel. When I mentioned I spotted her store earlier and was glad she was open, she made sure to mention where the Maggie Valley items were located. Here I found die cuts for Maggie Valley and nearby Cherokee as well as ones for the ski lodge and an intertube which will brighten my itertubing pages when I have time to do them (when ever that may be).

Here things are arranged by groups such as stickers and papers but also by theme. I was able to easily find the winter papers and embellishments for my vacation pages. You can also find holidays together as well as travel, weddings, etc.

Upstairs you will find more goodies and where Christel has her tables ready for classes or groups. In fact this would be a wonderful place to finish off a girls weekend in Maggie Valley. Complete with a day at Scrappin In the Mountains.


Jelly Bellies Mountain Gift Shop
Market Square, Soco Rd.
Maggie Valley
828-926-9069
www.jellybelliesmaggievalley.com

This place is part kitschy gift shop and candy store. It is also the place to bring back many fond childhood memories with candies of your misspent youth.

When you walk in you can find barrel after barrels filled to the brim with what used to be penny candy. BB Bats, Mary Jane’s, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, Red Hots, Kitts, Laffy Taffy. Bits O Honey, and more. You can also find packages of your favorite candy and gums. Remember Razzels for example? You just grab a bag and start filling. Candy in the barrels is $1.75 a pound and you can mix and match as much as you like. It is a sweet tooth’s dream or great to put in the gift box of someone celebrating a birthday.

In addition to the candy utopia you can also find some heavenly fudge. We picked up a half a pound of their chocolate walnut and it was gone before we made it back home. You can also find home made jams, jellies, and hot sauces. There is every kind of tourist souvenir that you can think of including snow globes, shot classes, spoons, etc. This is a great place to pick up your post cards from your trip. They also have items devote entirely to pop culture icons including Elvis and Betty Boop. I found an adorable Betty Boop purse that closely matches my tattoo, but at $75 I figured I would leave it behind since my tattoo cost the same amount and lasts a lifetime.

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