Cherokee Indian Museum: Skip-the-Line Admission
4.2
92 Ratings
Cherokee

Our goal at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian is to safeguard the legacy, traditions, and narratives of the Cherokee Tribe. Your standard entry pass grants you entry to various displays including the ‘Story of the Cherokee’.

Duration: 1 day
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Museum of the Cherokee Indian - Learn about the Cherokee people at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Your general admission ticket includes access to the museum and the following exhibits.

Story of the Cherokees: 13,000 Years

Voted Top Ten best Native American Experiences by USA TODAY, you’ll experience 13,000 years of Cherokee history, from the time when mastodons roamed the southern Appalachians to present day. This story is told through computer generated animation and special effects, life-sized figures, artwork and priceless artifacts.

Emissaries of Peace: 1762 Cherokee & British Delegations

Travel with Henry Timberlake to the Cherokee world in 1762 and see London through the eyes of Cherokee leaders who met with King George III. Timberlake’s Memoirs come to life through artifacts, archaeological treasures, period artwork, music, video and life-sized figures. Two contrasting cultures emerge from war and make peace. Special pop-up books and graphic panels help tell the story for children.

The museum also hosts many traveling exhibits such as

We the People. This exhibit has been featured not only at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian but also the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee. It shows the perspectives of Cherokee culture and colonial British culture through the narrative of Henry Timberlake¹s Memoirs, illustrated with artifacts, artwork, reproductions, video, and life size figures.

All exhibits, restrooms, Museum Store and Education Wing are ADA accessible. Service animals are permitted. Handicapped parking available in front of entrance.

What's Included
  • Admission ticket to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian
What's Not Included
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • MASKS are REQUIRED for entry.
Location
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
Highway 441 and Drama Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(92 Ratings)
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Go03893848622
Nov 26, 2023
Very informative museum - The museum is very informative. Firstly, it covers the development of all indigenous peoples of North America and then the Cherokee people. Another section provides information on the fate of the Cherokee from the arrival of the first settlers to the expulsion and whereabouts of the tribes. Finally, there is information on writing and customs in the tribal area today. A visit is highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gatorfanfromsc
Mar 31, 2024
Interesting but not what it could have been… hopefully it will be in the future - We definitely had a higher expectation than what was there. They were under construction / remodeling so the exhibits were very limited. They had a discounted admission which was nice but it seems like they are starting with the gift shop and working backwards. I think I would have liked to see a multimedia exhibit that showcases some of the Cherokee history, as well as how the tribe lives today. Some ceremonial background music would have been nice in the exhibit hall.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soster
Mar 18, 2024
Wait till the remodel is done, not worth $12 - Was expecting more for my $12 entry. It was one room with about a dozen items to read. They were in the middle of a remodel that they said would be open next year. Should have offered us a 1/2 price discount or "rain check" for when we could see everything.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ayesha_s
Apr 4, 2024
Wish there were more - Passing through the Cherokee reservation and all of the shops on the way to the museum was amazing. The museum visit was a great topper. However I wish they shared much more history about their culture.
Review provided by Viator
Edm662
Mar 28, 2024
If donation, fine but museum content🤔 - We had anticipated more content and history. Very lacking on tribal history pre European arrival and really 200 years after. We looked for the next room and found out it was the exit retail store. Not our first Native American museum we visited but absolutely the smallest.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolinedv5343sd
May 22, 2024
Wont visit again - Visited may 5th , was only one room with almost nothing in it, payed the full amount and theye were renovating , what a scam
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dredd1981
Apr 26, 2024
It's a room, one room, thats the whole museum! - I had looked forward to visiting this place to learn about the indigenous people in the smoky mountains and drove 30 minutes from where I was staying near Gatlinburg. First, Cherokee could be any small American town, there was nothing distinctive about it. Second, the "museum" was one mid sized room with a few exhibits (and I mean a few) and some boards on the walls to read. The gift shop was far larger than the "museum" and contained some bits and bobs at eye watering prices. I was eyeing up a cowboy hat until I saw that it cost $1200. So yeah, if you're interested in native americans and their culture, maybe watch a few youtube videos and save yourself the drive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dream65947863931
Apr 11, 2024
Skip for now - They should just close their museum til the renovation is completed. What they have now is extremely limited. In fact, the section on how Cherokee’s are misrepresented is the largest exhibit in the museum
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_m
Mar 24, 2024
None... - None Museum is under construction so one room and took 10 minutes to view everything . Gift shop was bigger than what the museum was
Review provided by Viator
Marc
Mar 15, 2024
The worst $12 spent for 10 minutes, EVER! - I would have left ZERO stars, but this is not an option. BE AWARE OF THIS RIPP-OFF!!! The original exhibition is removed because “ a white guy started it” and it does not represent the Cherokee Nation any longer and the entire museum is under renovation. There is only one room left with a handful of artifacts, e.g. a helmet of a Japanese Warrior which was given as a present. $12 per person for max 10 minutes of reading. Please, stay away from there until this has been rectified. This is not the representation of the great Cherokee Nation! 😕🙁☹️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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