No easy way to get to Harrahs Cherokee in NC?

Harrahs Cherokee is in western NC.
I live in the DC area.

Driving will take me 8hrs. :(

flying is only somewhat better:
https://totalrewards.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/929/~/harrah%E2%80%99s-cherokee-casino-resort---airport-shuttle

- The closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) approximately 80 minutes east of Cherokee.
-Atlanta/Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) is approximately three hours south of Cherokee.
- the Knoxville, TN airport (TYS) is about two hours west (via either 441S through the Great Smokys or I-40 through Sam's Gap so this route is not recommended in winter).
- and the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) is about three hours east of Cherokee.

still a long drive to get there even flying.

The drive is gorgeous from Asheville, though, worth doing even if you're not gambling. Less than 2 hours on twisty mountain foothills and slopes. Fwiw.

If you only consider the Harrah's Cherokee Casino, I agree with Babs. The Asheville-Cherokee drive takes you through some lovely countryside. And, Asheville is one of those rather special places, unique in its own way. Very much worth checking out if your schedule allows it.

Since you mentioned flying into Atlanta, the new Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy is much closer to Atlanta than Harrah's Cherokee Casino. I drove there (traveling north from Columbus, GA), took the west-side beltway (I-285) to I-75 North. This would also be the route I would suggest coming from the Atlanta airport. Atlanta traffic is always terrible, but you probably see worse in DC. Mostly multi-lane, fast-travel roads until you get into the scenic foothill country fairly close to Murphy.

Quote: LuckyPhow

Since you mentioned flying into Atlanta, the new Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino in Murphy is much closer to Atlanta than Harrah's Cherokee Casino. I drove there (traveling north from Columbus, GA), took the west-side beltway (I-285) to I-75 North. This would also be the route I would suggest coming from the Atlanta airport. Atlanta traffic is always terrible, but you probably see worse in DC. Mostly multi-lane, fast-travel roads until you get into the scenic foothill country fairly close to Murphy.

horrible vp there :(

Here's what I recommend: Take the drive, going through Asheville, as others have recommended. There should still be some beautiful fall colors in the mountains. When you get to the casino, go inside and use the bathroom. Then get back in your car and leave. Return to Asheville and spend a delightful weekend there. You will have a better and much less expensive experience than if you had spent your time and money in one of the worst casinos in the galaxy.

I would recommend not wasting your time in a casino in a place like the Smokies. Regarding the casino in Murphy, that's the dumpiest new casino I think I've seen. Shocking it's not an isle of Capri property.

Fly to NOLA. Drive to Biloxi. You are so welcome.

Quote: Joeshlabotnik

Here's what I recommend: Take the drive, going through Asheville, as others have recommended. There should still be some beautiful fall colors in the mountains. When you get to the casino, go inside and use the bathroom. Then get back in your car and leave. Return to Asheville and spend a delightful weekend there. You will have a better and much less expensive experience than if you had spent your time and money in one of the worst casinos in the galaxy.

Quote: mcallister3200

I would recommend not wasting your time in a casino in a place like the Smokies.

Quote: DeMango

Fly to NOLA. Drive to Biloxi. You are so welcome.

Why the hate for Harrahs Cherokee?

I kinda liked Cherokee.....probably more so because it was out in the middle of nowhere and it's all hillbillies (IMO). Kinda felt like I was camping. I think I flew into greensville or maybe Asheville? I saw a few mooses or deer or elk or some shjt on the drive there, pretty cool.

Quote: RS

I kinda liked Cherokee.....probably more so because it was out in the middle of nowhere and it's all hillbillies (IMO). Kinda felt like I was camping. I think I flew into greensville or maybe Asheville? I saw a few mooses or deer or elk or some shjt on the drive there, pretty cool.

It's a gorgeous area. But going there to gamble is sort of like going to Lake Tahoe to gamble. The gambling sucks, and there is so much more to do.

The reason Vegas works is it's an isolated, furnace-hot wasteland in the middle of nowhere, five+ hours from any major city and 2 1/2 hours from any human habitation, and that habitation is places like Barstow and Mesquite. You're there, you might as well gamble, or shoot yourself for having been so stupid as to go there. By contrast, if you find yourself anywhere in the Great Smokies, there are a zillion things to see and do, none of which involve feeding a hungry casino.

Quote: DeMango

Fly to NOLA. Drive to Biloxi. You are so welcome.

Unless you have to go to the Cherokee Casino for some reason, this is the best suggestion I have heard yet. I found the Cherokee casinos (both of them) to be durn cold on my recent trip there, as might be expected when one has a monopoly. Next time I go to visit my Asheville friends, I will probably skip the casinos. Period.

Driving from NOLA, you could stop at the Silver Slipper Casino (winner of best food awards and a fun casino) or the Bay St. Louis Hollywood Casino (also nice IMHO). And, the scenic drive (Hwy 90) along the coast to Gulfport (Island View Casino) and Biloxi (lotsa casinos) is really nice. AND, the casinos have lotsa competition for your play, and it shows in the offers and games.

But, I confess to prejudice, as Biloxi is my favorite gambling go-to. I'm mostly a bottom feeder, but the Biloxi-area casinos treat me very well.

Quote: 100xOdds

Why the hate for Harrahs Cherokee?

Lets break it down
1) Harrahs
2) Indian casino
3) No competition

3 strikes