Welcome to Andrews, North Carolina, and Cherokee County. Located in the mountains of western North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains region, this small town offers a variety of activities for visitors. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, Andrews has something special in store for you.
For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking trails around the area feature views of the surrounding mountains. Nearby Lake Nantahala is popular for fishing and kayaking. If you want to explore further into nature, Gorges State Park near Sapphire (about a two-hour drive from Andrews) offers hikes through forests with waterfalls and creeks—confirm trail conditions on the NC State Parks site before you go. Closer to town, the Nantahala River is a classic destination for whitewater rafting.
Families visiting Andrews will find cultural stops worth planning. The Andrews Art Museum (Valleytown Cultural Arts and Historical Society) shares local and traveling art exhibits in a historic downtown building. For county history, the Cherokee County Historical Museum in Murphy interprets Cherokee and settler heritage. As a longer day trip, Cherokee, NC, is home to Unto These Hills, a summer outdoor drama at Mountainside Theatre about Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians history—confirm the current season on the Cherokee Historical Association site before you go. Nearby Great Smoky Mountains experiences such as the Oconaluftee area are part of the same regional trip.
Andrews and Cherokee County also offer entertainment for many ages. Andrews Twin Cinema shows current films downtown; outdoor fans can hike, fish, or kayak on nearby rivers and lakes. Golfers often head to courses in the wider mountain region (such as Mountain Harbour in nearby Hayesville)—confirm what is open before you go.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or cultural experiences, Andrews, North Carolina, makes a memorable mountain-town base. With so much nearby, there’s something for many travelers in this corner of western North Carolina.
