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Preservation of Place, Culture and TraditionThe indigenous Cherokeepeople readily sharedtheir tradition of craftingtechniques with the region’s earlyScots-Irish settlers — includingweaving baskets out of honeysucklevines and firing clay into beautifulblack pottery.The early settlers used theirnewly acquired skills to develop autilitarian form of art and craft thatcontinues to this day through thehands of mountain craftsmen andNative American artisans.When the settlers and Cherokeefound time to celebrate, they did sowith song and dance, forging evenmore unique cultural traditions.Mountain music was born of handcarvedfiddles, dulcimers and banjosthat were used to play jigs, balladsand love songs from the settlers’Along with the preservation of theseunique cultures and traditions, greatsteps have been taken to protect andpreserve the natural beauty of theland where it all started.The Great Smoky Mountains NationalPark was created in 1934 to preserve800 square miles of natural wonder.The park encompasses 700 milesof rivers and streams, 800 miles ofhiking trails and 200,000 acres ofvirgin forest. It is now recognized asthe most biologically diverse placeon Earth, an International Biosphereand part of the Blue Ridge NationalHeritage Area.You can take a scenic tour of the areaby traveling down the historic BlueRidge Parkway, a unique Americantreasure that spans 469 miles ofridge tops, tunnels and breathtakingoverlooks from Shenandoah NationalPark to the heart of The Great Smokyhomeland. Mountain dance was soonMountains National Park.to follow, as Scottish sword dancing,Irish step dancing and Cherokee However you choose to enjoy it,buck dancing combined to create you’re always welcome to visit ourmountain clogging. These forms of backyard to experience outdoormusic and dance are still performed adventure, unique mountain heritage,in competitions and festivals natural beauty, and Southernthroughout the region.hospitality that flows so freely here.Download thisFREE regionaltour from the AppStore or scan code onpage 30 (NC MountainsUgoTour) complete withfull video tours!This publication ispartially supported by:800.432.4678VisitSmokies.orgContentsFontana LakeWaynesville 2Maggie Valley 3Cherokee 4Almond, Bryson City,Wesser, Whittier 6Blueway Trails 11Robbinsville,Fontana Village, Santeelah 12Fishing 14Sylva, Dillsboro, Cashiers 19Highlands 20Andrews, Murphy 22Hayesville, Brasstown 23Breweries & Wineries 24Mountain Waterfalls 26Backyard Trails 28Scenic Byways 30Recreational Areas& Campgrounds 33Directory 345/2013 1