Cherokee, NC Indian Reservation: Craft items?

[ajwolfe]

We did exactly what you are talking about doing a few years back. Made the drive over from the Gatlinburg area and it was gorgeous. We stopped and hiked back to a few waterfalls and saw the sights on the way. Once we got there we did the living village (forgive me I can't remember the name). I remember thinking it was way pricey for the visit but we did it anyways. It was definitely not something I would do again, even though my kids did enjoy the dancing that was demonstrated and such. The town itself was very touristy and on the dirty side IMHO. I remember there being a ton of cheaply made (probably made in China) items out for sale long the road, etc.
I would recommend going out that way only for the drive and natural beauty aspect along the way.