Help me plan my Cherokee NC trip

[live4christp1]

We leave tomorrow evening. Will take us about 3 hours to drive up. Just plan to check in and let the kids enjoy the pool for the evening.

Here's what Thursday has in store:
Breakfast - Joey's Pancake House
- Gem minig at Rose Creek Mine
- tubing & playing in the creek (need a nice calm clean area - not interested in any rapids as it's us, the kids and my dad)
- later that evening we will go over to Bryson City for Singing in the Smokies

Friday - Maybe Joey's again (my dad loves Joeys pancakes)
sister, niece & her hubby & daughter arrive
DH, me, kids, niece & baby plan to hang at the pool for a while - the other grown ups want to go to the casino.
Later in the evening we will be going to the pow wow. Nieces hubby will be competing in both drum & dance.

Saturday - Joeys pancake house
- Maybe pow wow for a while (sister & rest will be staying) we are heading for home about 1:00 pm or so.


So what else can we do maybe Friday?

Open to suggestions.

Need some good places to eat as well. Here are a few that look interesting to me. Please tell me about them if you are familiar with any.

Grizzly Grill in Maggie Valley
The Filling Station in Bryson City
Soda Pops in Bryson City for a snack

Thanks!
Cristy

 

[LJC1861]

Christy,

Rose Creek Mine is great! We have gone to others, and really like the people at Rose Creek the best.

As for Friday afternoon, how about the Museum in Cherokee, or the Oconoluftee Village. I think the village might be more fun for the kids as it is more interactive.

I am also intensely jealous that you will get to have Joey's pancakes every day of your trip.

Linda

 

[live4christp1]

Christy,

Rose Creek Mine is great! We have gone to others, and really like the people at Rose Creek the best.

As for Friday afternoon, how about the Museum in Cherokee, or the Oconoluftee Village. I think the village might be more fun for the kids as it is more interactive.

I am also intensely jealous that you will get to have Joey's pancakes every day of your trip.

Linda

Thanks Linda! I'm glad to know that Rose Creek Mine is a good choice. From what I could tell it was the only one that you dig your own bucket......a really important feature according to dad.

It's been a long time since we have had Joey's pancakes. My dad loves the place.

 

[LJC1861]

Yes you can dig your own bucket at Rose Creek. They also do pre-dug buckets as well as "seeded" buckets. We used the seeded buckets for emeralds and amethyest. Believe it or not, some of them are still hard to spot, even though you know they are there. Mining is such a fun thing to do and great for all ages.

Also, Rose Creek is a bit of an undiscovered gem, if you will pardon the pun. The Sheffield Mine was featured on the Travel Channel several years ago and in my opinion the success has gone to their heads. They were not nearly as pleasant to work with as the family that runs Rose Creek.

Have fun!!!

Linda

 

[Magic Mom]

So what else can we do maybe Friday?

You'll be on the doorstep to one of the most beautiful national parks in the nation. How about taking a hike or visiting some areas of the park.

 

[live4christp1]

You'll be on the doorstep to one of the most beautiful national parks in the nation. How about taking a hike or visiting some areas of the park.

We might drive over to the foot of the mountain and poke around at the visitor center there (old farmstead). Dad had some medical problems in the past that makes lots of walking difficult for him and then he broke his leg in the upper thigh area. He gets around pretty good for 79 but don't think walking around the mountains to much would be good.