Cherokee, NC used to be a really cool town to visit. Walking the streets, going into the shops, dancing with the Native Americans, it was all so fun. But the town has just become quite rundown, with all the shops being the same thing with touristy type tshirts and souvenirs. But one thing we absolutely love to do in Cherokee is go to Santa's Land. Santa's Land is small amusement park that was built in the 60s. It has not been updated since then, or so it looks, but I personally love that. A lot of people don't. Most people want new and modern. I love how walking into Santa's Land is like walking into it's own little vintage world. The entire park is fenced in, so it really does feel like its own little world to explore. It has never been very busy, so you don't have to worry about lines. Santa's Land is only open from I believe May to September/October ish. I know it seems weird to go to a place that is Christmas themed in the middle of the summer, but don't let that deter you! One of the biggest selling points of Santa's Land is the animals that you can feed, and the animals can't be out in the cold all winter. So that's why they close. Most of the rides are geared more towards younger children, but there are a few fun things for adults. They have a Ferris Wheel, train, merry-go-round, the famous Rudi-coaster, a little boat ride, some little car rides for the kids, paddle boats, a small arcade, a little diner, lots of animals to pet and feed, and a playground. They also have a bunch of little buildings to explore. It feels like exploring a little town thats stuck in time, and I love that. Where else can you do that? Seriously, where else? Cause I would love to go check it out.
Anyway, one negative is that every person has to pay the $25 fee to get in, whether you plan to ride or not. That is a bit steep to me for what it is. As I said before, a lot of people will find the vintage, lack of updated look to be a major turnoff. So I don't expect everyone to like it. We usually like to spend the day in the park, and then go walk through the town of the evening, and then stay in a hotel for the night. If you do want to stay in Cherokee, there are several motels to pick from, but there are not many super nice ones. There is Harrah's Casino that you can stay at for a nicer accommodation, but for the most part, is little motels.
