Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

TSM Quick Take

Right stay for you?

Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort is ideal for couples, groups, and business travelers seeking a vibrant destination with on-site dining, entertainment, and gaming. Located in Cherokee, NC, it offers a large resort experience, though it is not the best base for direct access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or a quiet downtown atmosphere.

Who it's for

Couples who want a full-service resort with dining, casino, and entertainment
Groups or friends looking for a casino weekend or show-based trip
Business travelers or event attendees using the resort event center
Travelers wanting an all-in-one property with dining and entertainment on site

Who it's not for

Families with toddlers seeking a quiet, low-stimulation mountain lodge experience
Budget backpackers as this is not a budget property
Guests wanting a quiet residential mountain stay due to the commercial setting
Pet owners unless pet policy is confirmed directly

Where it sits

Location Strategy

National park

Not at a park entrance; exact driving time to the national park entrance is unverified

Downtown

Located at 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719, in the casino complex area rather than a walkable downtown strip

Walkable

Some on-property attractions are walkable, but major off-property Cherokee attractions may not be comfortably walkable

Drive times

Unverified exact drive times to Cades Cove, Dollywood, and Anakeesta

Neighborhood feel

A busy, commercial, entertainment-focused setting

What stands out

Amenity Highlights

Four towers / large resort complex

The hotel features four towers, providing a spacious resort experience.

Two pools

Guests can enjoy two pools on the property, enhancing the resort experience.

Mountain views

The resort offers scenic mountain views, adding to the overall ambiance.

Casino access

Direct access to the casino is a major draw for guests looking for entertainment.

Multiple restaurants

There are 13 restaurants on property, including well-known dining options like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar.

Shows / event center

The dedicated Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center hosts various shows and events on the resort campus.

Booking decision

Before You Book

Price tier

premium

Likely higher on weekends, holidays, concert dates, and peak summer, but unverified

Heads-up: Cleaning fees, resort fees, and deposit holds are unverified

Know before you book

Check-in time is 4:00 PM.
Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Parking fees are unverified.
Smoking policy is unverified.
Pet policy is unverified.
Breakfast inclusion is unverified.

Duration

Variable; plan for a full day to enjoy all amenities.

Price

Moonshine Mountain Coaster: $17; Mountaintop Zipline: $113; concert ticket prices vary.

Best For

Gambling enthusiasts • Families with kids • Concert-goers

Website

caesars.com

Pro tip: Book rooms via event-specific links to waive resort fees and stay in the nearest tower.

About Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Harrah's Cherokee is actually in North Carolina, not Tennessee — about an hour from Knoxville if you're driving from the Tennessee side. We've stayed here a few times, and honestly, the timing matters more than anything else. Right now they're doing major renovations on the casino floor, so half the slots are down and people are complaining about the table game minimums being crazy high.

The newest hotel tower is gorgeous though. They added 775 rooms in 2021 with this massive 19-story building that has mountain views from the higher floors. The lobby bar is solid and the terrace pool area is way nicer than the older towers. Just know you'll be doing some serious walking between the hotel and casino — wear comfortable shoes because this place is huge.

If you're not into gambling, they've got the Ultrastar entertainment center with bowling and an arcade. The Event Center books some decent acts — Grand Funk Railroad is coming in August and Culture Club in February. We usually skip the on-site restaurants because they're pricey, but the Gordon Ramsay spot isn't terrible if you're stuck there for a meal.

One thing though — weekends are a zoo. The parking garage fills up fast and the casino floor gets so smoky despite their "smoke-free" policy changes. We've learned to go Sunday through Wednesday if we want any breathing room. Also heads up that they partner with some outdoor stuff nearby like a mountain coaster for $17, which the kids love more than watching us lose money at blackjack.

Last checked: January 22, 2026 • Based on 30,951 reviews

Amenities & Features

Clean, well-maintained casino with pleasant atmosphere and good ventilation from enclosed smoking areas
Free beverages throughout the casino including soda, tea, and coffee
Variety of gaming options from live tables to digital slots, plus live music and shows
Convenient combination of gambling, dining, and mountain adventure activities

Insider Tips for Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Insider tips

Visitors most often point to Event Center, New Hotel Tower, and Ultrastar Multi-tainment Center. Weekdays are the best time to visit for lower crowds.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the resort is quite large and requires a lot of walking. Expect smoke on the casino floor despite the smoke-free policy changes.

Before you go

Plan around Variable; plan for a full day to enjoy all amenities unless you are only stopping in briefly. Current price guidance on this page is Moonshine Mountain Coaster: $17; Mountaintop Zipline: $113; concert ticket prices vary.

A website is linked here for direct confirmation of current details.

From the reviews

Visitors frequently mention the gorgeous views from the higher floors of the new hotel tower.

A common observation is that the casino floor can get quite crowded on weekends.

Reviewers consistently praise the Ultrastar Multi-tainment Center for its variety of entertainment options.

Highlights

Don't Miss

experience

Event Center

Hosts major concerts and events, including gaming tournaments.

view

New Hotel Tower

Features 775 rooms with stunning mountain views and modern amenities.

activity

Ultrastar Multi-tainment Center

Offers bowling and arcade games for family fun.

experience

Terrace Pool

A beautiful pool area that is a highlight of the new hotel tower.

ride

Mountain Coaster

An exciting outdoor attraction that families love.

Know Before You Go(6 tips)

Weekdays are the best time to visit for lower crowds.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the resort is quite large and requires a lot of walking.
Expect smoke on the casino floor despite the smoke-free policy changes.
Resort fees may be waived if you book through event-specific links.
Renovation noise may affect some areas—check with the front desk for updates.

What Visitors Say

Featured from 30,951 reviews

Visitors frequently mention the gorgeous views from the higher floors of the new hotel tower.

Best Times to Visit Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Book well in advance for peak seasons (summer and fall foliage).

01Buzzing

Weekends & Holidays

02Relaxed

Midweek (Tue-Thu)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit take?

Plan 3 to 6 hours for a standard casino-and-dining visit, or a full day if you want to add a hotel stay, live entertainment, and pool time. The casino floor is large, so first-time visitors often spend longer than expected just orienting themselves.

When is the best time to visit?

Go on weekday mornings or early afternoons for a quieter experience. Evenings and weekends are the busiest, especially around concerts, big events, and holiday periods.

How do you get there and where do you park?

The resort is at 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719, just off US-19. Self-parking is available on site, and hotel guests can use the resort parking areas; if you’re arriving for a busy evening, build in extra time for parking and walking to the entrance.

What should I expect inside the resort?

Expect a large casino, multiple restaurants, hotel towers, entertainment spaces, and resort amenities such as pools. The casino area is 21+ and requires ID at entry, and the property is much bigger than a typical regional casino.

Who is this resort best for?

It works best for adults who want gaming, dining, and an on-site hotel in one place. It’s also a good fit for couples, groups, and concertgoers; it’s less ideal for families with young kids unless your focus is the hotel and non-casino amenities.