Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Harrah's Cherokee Casino offers western North Carolina locals and tourists gaming opportunities in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some of the casino's gaming facilities include a poker room, slot machines and table games, such as blackjack and baccarat. The casino is within 30 minutes of hotel rooms in Franklin and Highlands, North Carolina. During the day, travelers can take advantage of hiking trails in the surrounding Nantahala National Forest before going to the casino at night.
Haven's Budget Inn in Franklin is only a five-minute walk from the gaming opportunities at the Cherokee Casino. The hotel is also within walking distance of downtown Franklin's shops and restaurants, including the Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub on Stewart Street and the Motor Company Grill on Main Street. Hotel guests may also want to check out the rare rock collection at the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, which is housed Franklin's 19th century "Old Jail" building. This budget, motel-style accommodation offers "Hiker Rates" for guest rooms as low as $35 per night, as of 2010. No more than two people can stay in a room for this rate. Pets may stay for an extra fee. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle transportation to Blue Ridge Mountains attractions, such as the intercontinental Appalachian Trail and the 14-mile Winding Stairs mountain bike trail. Both attractions are within 20 minutes of the hotel.
Haven's Budget Inn
433 E. Palmer St.
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-4403
havensbudgetinn.com
Situated in eastern Franklin, the Sapphire Inn is only a five-minute drive from the Cherokee Casino, and is within walking distance of fishing opportunities on the Little Tennessee River, which flows through Franklin. Other fishing spots are available at Lake Emory, which is only 10 minutes north of the hotel. This 1,605-acre body of water offers slips for kayaking and canoeing activities. The hotel is also a 10-minute drive from the obscure Bartram Trail. This Blue Ridge path is used for hiking and passes the Wayah Bald outcropping, which offers scenic views of Franklin and the surrounding mountain range. The Sapphire Inn is a family-owned and operated hotel, and features an outdoor swimming pool and limousine service to Frankin attractions, including the Cherokee Casino. The hotel also offers a complimentary continental breakfast, and is within walking distance of restaurants and shops such as the East Franklin Shopping Center on the corner of Main Street and Highlands Road.
Sapphire Inn
716 E. Main St.
Franklin, NC 28734
800-401-0072
thesapphireinn.com
The luxurious Old Edwards Inn, located in Highlands, North Carolina, is approximately 30 minutes from the Cherokee Casino. This hotel has been given a four-star rating by Forbes magazine and a AAA four-diamond award. The historic Old Edwards Inn was originally a boarding house patterned after the European-style mountain retreats. The hotel was built in 1878, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This hotel features an on-site spa that Conde Nast rated as the "Top Hotel Spa in North America" in 2010, and it provides massage therapies, body treatments and a cafe with healthy menu selections. On-site dining is available at the upscale Madison Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended for lunch and dinner. Barbecue selections are available at Old Edwards' Rib Shack restaurant, while outdoor wine refreshments can be had at the Wine Bar. Off-site attractions in Highlands includes the Highlands Playhouse, which produces live theater throughout the year. The theater was founded in1938, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Old Edwards Inn and Spa
445 Main St.
Highlands, NC 28741
866-526-8008
oldedwardsinn.com