Cherokee Day trip from 3 Little Bears Retreat in Bryson City:

1) Travel first to Soco Falls- short waterfall hike, the observation platform is easy. The more adventurous can work their way to the bottom of the falls. Parking can be very challenging, so best to do this first and early

2) Take the Blue Ridge Parkway route on your GPS from Soco to Mingo Falls. There are lots of tunnels, beautiful overlooks and trails.

3) Make it to Mingo Falls: it's not terribly long or hard, but it is pretty much one long staircase to get to it... maybe 1/4 mile

Lunch-Cherokee-Native Brews is a great option

4) Afternoon Choose-tubing (summer), Cherokee Cultural Village/Museum, or stroll downtown and the island park

5) Dinner at the Casino with bowling/arcade (Sunday is Family night with pizza and bowling at an affordable price. Monday is one price all you can bowl or arcade)

6) OR Dinner at the Chop House - farm to table steakhouse, and make plans to see "Unto These Hills" an incredible production about Cherokee culture and history