Franklin, North Carolina
Franklin, North Carolina has everything a visitor can possibly want in a North Carolina mountains vacation destination. Franklin, located in Macon County, is located in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest, and a stone's throw away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Small town America is alive and well in Franklin; smiling citizens greet visitors with a handshake and a kind word, only too happy to assist in showing off their wonderful community. Of course, the surrounding area, filled with natural wonders, provides outdoor lovers a wonderland of opportunities. You can spend your days hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, swimming, boating, snow skiing, and just about anything else you can imagine!Visitors can acclimate themselves to Franklin's historic past with a visit to the Macon County Historical Building. Housed in the former Pendergrass Store, the Society has been a fixture of Macon County life since its inception in 1904. The museum is maintained by the Macon County Historical Society, an organization dedicated to preserving the rich mountain traditions of Macon and the surrounding southern Appalachian counties. The building is like a picture frozen in time, a perfect replica of a country store from the early 20th century. The artifacts on display include hand made crafts and period furniture.
History buffs will also want to visit Cherokee, located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation on the outskirts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This community is inhabited by Native Americans who are descended from the Eastern Cherokee peoples that did not journey west on the Trail of Tears. Visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for a look back at the life and heritage of these courageous people. The Ocanaluftee Indian Village is a replica of an 18th-century Indian village, and is the site for Unto These Hills, the largest outdoor drama in the United States. The play depicts life in the area from the first European contact until the Trail of Tears.
