Cherokee instead of Gatlinburg?

[jima59]

Seems that most people go to Gatlinburg. Are there grocery stores near the park in Cherokee? I know it's a tourist trap also and the Casino does affect the price and availability of rooms but my main concern is finding food resupply.

Have you used Cherokee before?

Jimajax

[flemdawg1]

http://binged.it/HVRRCv

I used the Food Lion on my way to car camping last year. I don't think there's any public transpotation (unlike g'burg which has a bus stop by the Food City).

[Sweetspot]

I stayed in Cherokee last week. Wonderful people they love hikers. Good resupply. Hiker rates at the Micro hotel and free shuttle back to trail. Shuttle will take you anywhere. Even to Gatlinburg if you want. I think that trip is $5.00. The only problem it is a dry county. You can drink at the Casino.Or pay someone to drive the 1 miles to the store that sells beer. I did both. I do think I was the only hiker in town. I would of rather been in Gatlinburg to find some of my friends. You can in and out easy with out staying.

[turtle fast]

Have done a Cherokee resupply and have gone there several times. The public transportation Cherokee Transit is excellent and will take you to Gatlinburg and stop/pickup at the trail at Newfound Gap call for schedule of pickup 866.388.6071 or 828.497.5296 or check out cherokeetransit.com. The great thing is you see something different, yes through the trinket stuff you get world class Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, Casino and a ton of other things to see and do. You also have to remember that much of the trail you are/were hiking on was once their homeland and hunting grounds.

[flemdawg1]

I was talking about transit within the town, not a shuttle to NFG.

[Odd Man Out]

Have done a Cherokee resupply and have gone there several times. The public transportation Cherokee Transit is excellent and will take you to Gatlinburg and stop/pickup at the trail at Newfound Gap call for schedule of pickup 866.388.6071 or 828.497.5296 or check out cherokeetransit.com.

Their web site does not list Newfound Gap as an actual stop for picking up passengers, but as a stop for passengers to see the views. Do you know if you need to call ahead to arrange to be picked up?

[turtle fast]

Odd Man Out: Under Transit services, it has a for hikers section. You have to call ahead and arrange a pickup time...plan on getting to the gap an hour or so before pickup time, to enjoy the views, use restroom and wait for them.
flemdawg1: Transit is every half hour on the main roads from May to October (check website for stops). In Spring for the NOBO hikers, normally we always just called them and they come pick you up in a van and take you where you need to go. If you are staying in town, most walking distances to places is no too bad (especially if you are a thru hiker) unless you go to the Casino or grocery it is probably better to use the transportation.

[owl]

15 miles to Gatliburg and 26 miles to Cherokee Yes they have markets and places to stay you, but most folks go to the TN side

[turtle fast]

Cherokee is a place to go if you are looking for something different. Unfortunately the place was developed as a touristy "see an Indian" type place with the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway as the tribe was poor and tourist dollars flowed. The Indian stereotype of the time was of the plains Indian so that is what the Cherokee gave the tourists and was called "Chiefing" and was seen as a way to put food on the table. Luckily, the real Cherokee is poking through...and the museum is a good spot to start and understand the culture and history of the Cherokee. A good coffee shop Tribal Grounds is near the river and has a great coffee the Sequoia that has Chestnut in it.

[Odd Man Out]

Cherokee is a place to go if you are looking for something different. Unfortunately the place was developed as a touristy "see an Indian" type place with the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway as the tribe was poor and tourist dollars flowed. The Indian stereotype of the time was of the plains Indian so that is what the Cherokee gave the tourists and was called "Chiefing" and was seen as a way to put food on the table. Luckily, the real Cherokee is poking through...and the museum is a good spot to start and understand the culture and history of the Cherokee. A good coffee shop Tribal Grounds is near the river and has a great coffee the Sequoia that has Chestnut in it.

I see from their web site that the casino is adding a Ruth's Chris Steak house. So if you are tired of Pancake Houses and Subway, you can get a $75 steak to go with your instant ramen.

[daddytwosticks]

I see from their web site that the casino is adding a Ruth's Chris Steak house. So if you are tired of Pancake Houses and Subway, you can get a $75 steak to go with your instant ramen.

Try the new AYCA buffet...it's like a theme park for foodies.

[Patton]

I heard a lot of good things about the museum and the history shown there. I may have to check it out as I pass through.

[Patton]

I have stayed in Gatilinburg a couple of times while hiking in the area. It reminded me of a permanent carnival in the midst of the main drag. I drove through Cherokee and thought about checking it out, but hadnt considered staying there. No particular reason, but Gatlinburg was on my side of the mountains....section hiking and living in Ohio, it just made sense to stay on the north side of the mountains when I got off the trail, so I could be that much closer to home when I started the drive.

[Velvet Gooch]

... Ruth's Chris Steak house ... you can get a $75 steak to go with your instant ramen.

Now OMO, don't exaggerate... one can order a perfectly acceptable ribeye from Ruth's Chris for 44.00 USD.

[daddytwosticks]

Now OMO, don't exaggerate... one can order a perfectly acceptable ribeye from Ruth's Chris for 44.00 USD.

From what I understand, they are going to gouge all eaters because of the location.

[Ron Haven]

15 miles to Gatliburg and 26 miles to Cherokee Yes they have markets and places to stay you, but most folks go to the TN side

Owl, you need to look at the map again. It is only 15 miles from Cherokee to New Found Gap also. Cherokee does have local tribal transit, grocery stores, and other things you need. Both Cherokee and Gatlinburg are tourist traps.

[gunner76]

The museum at Cherokee is well wortht the visit. Have been there several times over the years

[turtle fast]

Just to add that Cherokee also has the Oconaluftee Islands PArk near the heart of things where a hot dusty hiker can swim in the river in a nice park area with modern amenities.

[Tipi Walter]

Get into Robbinsville before Fontana and get a 20 day load of food and then keep hiking north thru the Park without having to swing thru either Gatlinburg or Cherokee, the Twin Sisters of Syphilization.

[WIAPilot]

I stayed in Cherokee last week. Wonderful people they love hikers. Good resupply. Hiker rates at the Micro hotel and free shuttle back to trail. Shuttle will take you anywhere. Even to Gatlinburg if you want. I think that trip is $5.00. The only problem it is a dry county. You can drink at the Casino.Or pay someone to drive the 1 miles to the store that sells beer. I did both. I do think I was the only hiker in town. I would of rather been in Gatlinburg to find some of my friends. You can in and out easy with out staying.

There is a Casino near the trail???