TOWN OF MURPHY NC
Located at the very tip of Western North Carolina, Murphy is an old town with various unique dining and shopping establishments all within walking distance of each other offering a great small town experience in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. Only 2 hours from 5 major cities such as Atlanta, Chattanooga, Asheville, Greenville, Knoxville, Murphy NC is the wonderful destination that offers easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, beautiful lakes, rivers and streams that filled and stocked with fishes; museums, golf courses, restaurants...
Murphy, North Carolina, is the county seat of Cherokee County NC located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Scenic Cherokee County NC is well-known for its outdoor recreational activities, small-town charm including Murphy, Andrews, Brasstown etc., enriched with historic sites that reflecting the history and cultural heritage of the areas. Murphy is an old town with its origin dating back to 1839. Downtown is beautiful with tree-lined streets and many historic buildings restored to their original state. Murphy has restaurants, many unique shops, and other interesting establishments all within walking distance in the heart of town. Recreational activities are unlimited from local trout streams to mountain biking. Hiwassee Lake is considered one of the most beautiful in the state. Murphy offers something for every sports enthusiast. If you are looking for a beautiful small town in the mountains, look no further. Murphy with its population of 1700 people resembles a Norman Rockwell painting. It is indeed, small-town life at the very best.
Konehete Park: There are 3 Pavilions on site that can be reserved for parties and other gatherings. One has a working grill. There is a time limit of 2 1/2 hours of use. Awesome playground for the kids, feed the ducks, play the tennis, safe parking lot, sitting and having some snacks and or picnic at some of the swings along the river and the pavilions. So much fun at the park! Facilities:
Senior Games / SilverArts
Nantahala Public Library: Muphy Public Library has been in its present location since the summer of 1976, with Head Librarian Dotsy Carringer(1925-2007). Since then the town of Murphy has welcomed Emory Ricketson, Becky Stiles, Teresa Thomas, and Jeff Murphy as Head Librarians.
The Murphy Public Library Hours are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Murphy Pyramid: Pyramid (circa 1930) - Hitchcock Coit was a very colorful lady who traveled extensively and spent time in Egypt. She had this pyramid erected in honor of her grandfather, ARS Hunter who was the first white settler in the area. He had a trading post and traded with the Cherokee and the soldiers. He built a toll bridge across the river, ran a ferry, served as the first postmaster of Murphy and architect for one of the earlier courthouses. His name, those of his wife and niece are inscribed on the pyramid. Some say that the bodies lie buried beneath the base of the pyramid, but this has not been confirmed
L & N Depot: The L&N Depot (circa 1887) - Was the meeting place of the Southern (originally the Carolina Railroad) and the Louisville & Nashville (originally the Georgia Railroad). What remains is the freight area. The grand station was torn down shortly after the railroad pulled up the tracks in 1974.
Fields of The Wood Bible Park: Bible-based theme park of more than 200 acres in Cherokee NC, with free admission. It is best known for its 300-foot-wide mountainside representation of the Ten Commandments-the world's largest set of the Ten Commandments lay nestled in heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.
John C. Campbell Folk School: a 12-minute ride from the Park, provides experiences in non-competitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening. The School is located in scenic Brasstown, North Carolina, and offers year-round week long and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, and writing. Folks come together in this haven, tucked in the beautiful western North Carolina mountains, to have creative and fun learning experiences.
Bear Creek Mini Golf: Mini golf course on Hwy 64 West, Murphy NC.
Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel: Located less than 1 mile from Downtown Murphy, NC.
Ultrastar Entertainment Center: Located within the casino. UltraStar features 12 bowling lanes, a redemption arcade, billiards, and a full restaurant.
Piney Knob Trails: The town of Murphy, North Carolina is working to construct 22.3 miles of recreational hiking and mountain biking trails on the 700+ acre Murphy Watershed property off of Piney Knob Hill Road. The first phase of the project is nearing completion (spring 2017) and several trails are now open. Please note that construction is ongoing so we ask all users to please stay on marked trails. All trails are dirt single-track trails and will be built in accordance with International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) standards.
Horseback Riding: Multiple public riding stables located in Murphy and surrounding areas. Being near the Nantahala Forest provides many miles of scenic riding.
Fishing: Fishing season in North Carolina Hatchery Supported Trout Water opens the first Monday in April. The season is closed the month of March for stocking. Adult licenses can be purchased online and at retailers. Kids under 16 fish free.
Local Restaurants: Enjoy a variety of local restaurants. Fresh trout, craft breweries, and home cooking, just to name a few. Our favorites include Herbs BBQ, Valley River Brewing Co., Chowder House, Rib Country, El Manzanillo, Bistro 21, Shoebooties, Daily Grind and Wine, Hoppy Trout, and Red Brick Deli...
TOWN OF ANDREWS NC
Andrews is a beautiful, peaceful, vibrant small town located within the heart of North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains. Nature lovers can enjoy many outdoor activities in the area's unspoiled streams, rivers, mountains, and ridges.
There are also many thriving small businesses in town, including restaurants, retail shops, breweries, wineries, bed and breakfast inns, and artists' galleries and gift shops. Come visit and find out why Andrews is the ideal place to live, work, and play!
Andrews Recreation Parks - We are surrounded by 5 lakes, 2 whitewater rafting rivers, and Great Smoky Mountains Park with camping, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, biking, and mountain climbing available. From Atlanta, Greenville, Asheville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga we are truly 2 hours from anywhere.
ANDREWS BREWING COMPANY Live, free music every Friday and Saturday. Located at Calaboose Cellars.
- 565 Aquone Road, Andrews, NC, 28901
- 828-321-2006
- Tap Room Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays Noon until 8:00 pm
ANDREWS TWIN CINEMA Recently renovated!
- 125 Main Street, Andrews, NC, 28901
CALABOOSE CELLARS – WINERY
In the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains, there’s an old stone building with bars on the windows that overlooks our small vineyard. Legend has it that the local lawman locked up the hooligans here to cool down until they went before the magistrate. Now we use the Calaboose to incarcerate our wines.
WagonMaster Adventure Ranch & Gem Mine: provide affordable fun for the whole family. 35 minutes west of the campground.
Ferncrest Winery: The winery and vineyard are on the crest of a hill in the Snowbird Mountains, Cherokee NC. Come taste our award-winning wines or sit on the porch and have wine, cheese, and crackers.
Heritage Park Disc Golf Course: A beautiful backdrop for our carefully manicured course. Nine holes with two permanent baskets at each hole creating an 18 hole course. One basket is painted yellow and one basket is painted green. The tee signs signify which basket to throw to.
Hoppy Trout Brewery: A nano-brewery specializing in brick oven pizza.
Ridgerunner Zip Lines: Providing you primarily a SAFE and FUN outdoor recreation — with a birds-eye view ziplining thru the beautiful flora abundant in the southern Appalachian mountains. Located just south of the Nantahala Gorge. Tours are fully guided. All gear and training is included.
The Compound for Human Performance & Groupe Fitness: Functional Fitness & Group Fitness Gym (call for classes)
Shopping & Restaurants: We have a variety of wonderful shops and restaurants on Main Street in Andrews! Enjoy yourself!
Surrounding Areas
Tri-County Racetrack, Brasstown, NC: Old School dirt track racing in Appalachia at its finest.
Deals Gap, Tail of The Dragon, and Other Great Rides throughout the areas: One of the 'bucket list' rides for motorcycle enthusiasts. Only 30 minutes from the Campground and a beautiful ride just getting there. A perfect loop through the Dragons Tail, into Tennessee, and back to the Campground. Great rides up to Wayah and Brasstown Bald or down to Helen, GA.
Flea Markets: Multiple flea markets are within easy driving distance, open on almost any day of the week.
Antique Stores: check out the shops of downtown Murphy, Andrews NC, and the surrounding mountain towns. You never know what treasures you may find!
Railroad Train Rides: The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and The Great Smoky Mountain Railway are both a 45-minute drive from Downtown Murphy. The BRSR is in the "Antique Capital" of Georgia, Blue Ridge. Enjoy the ride along the beautiful Toccoa River in a climate controlled or open-air cabins.
Mercier Apple Orchard: nestled in the North Georgia Mountains is a family owned and operated apple orchard. Started back in 1943 by Bill & Adele Mercier, Mercier Orchards is now celebrating 66 years of fruitful harvests.
Fires Creek & Leatherwood Falls: Great outdoors for family fun.
Whitewater Rafting on The Nantahala River: offers river rafting through family-friendly rapids that are mild but exciting. It features 8 miles on easy Class 2 rapids before splashing through the exciting Class 3 whitewater. There is no age limit so even people in their 60's can enjoy it. There is a minimum weight for children of 60 lbs. Only 35 minutes from Murphy, NC.
Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tour: is an exhilarating 3 1/2 mile adventure with 11 zipline sections. It takes you through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, and into hardwood treetops.
Hiking in Nantahala National Forest: A great place to enjoy the peace and wonder of nature, whatever your hiking ability. Also, the Nantahala National Forest is a great place for water lovers. Along with the namesake river and gorge, there are impressive waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in the east - Whitewater Falls.
Whitewater Rafting on The Ocoee River: offers big closely spaced rapids which makes it one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the nation. No other river in the East offers the degree of challenge, variety, and consistent water flow that is found here. It has been named one of the 10 best whitewater rivers in the country by Canoe Magazine. Minimum 10 years, weight must be between 70-250 lbs. Approximately 25 miles from Murphy, NC.
Ocoee River Basin Canopy Tour: is the only treetop and deep woods canopy experience in the Ocoee Region. Zip 50 feet above a bold mountain stream as you wind your way through the trees and enjoy the scene from a birds-eye-view.
Wesser Bald Hike & Fire Tower: You can see for miles and miles from the Wesser Bald Fire Tower. Pack a snack and head up the trail for great views of the Nantahala Forest and the Smoky Mountains. About 30-40 minute ride from Murphy, NC.
Mountain Waters National Scenic Byway: a wide variety of adventure on this 61.3-mile drive that winds through southern Appalachian hardwood forest, two spectacular river gorges, and rural countryside. The winding road parallels the river's most rugged course and offers scenic views of the river and waterfalls.
Appalachian Trail: is a 2,175-mile long public footpath. From Maine's Mount Katahdin and Georgia's Springer Mountain, this footpath traverses scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild and culturally resonant lands through 14 of the eastern United States. Access to the southern end of the Trail is within an hour from Murphy, NC.
Cherohala Skyway Loop: Winding up and over 5,400-foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name "Chero...hala". The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sportscar circles for its long, sweeping corners, scenic views, and cool summer breezes. Beginning at Santeetlah Gap on the North Carolina side (at elevation 2660 feet), the road quickly twists and ascends to Santeetlah, an overlook at the highest elevation of 5390 feet.
Mountain Wake Cable Park: located off Highway 76 right outside Hiawassee on beautiful Lake Chatuge. crystal clear water, warm sunny weather, and gorgeous mountain scenery.
