Cherokee Blog

There's still time to catch Unto These Hills before the season finale on August 15th. Reserve your tickets today and watch the drama unfold under the stars in the historic Mountainside Theater. Since 1950, over 6 million people have seen the performance, which is one of the most beloved attractions in Cherokee. Unto These Hills follows the story of the Cherokee up through the Trail of Tears, in a stirring performance that combines song, dance, and plenty of action. Mike Crowe, who has acted in the drama for the last 10 seasons, says it's more than a performance, it's a calling. Read on to find out why. 

To Mike Crowe, a Cherokee native who has performed in Unto These Hills for the last ten seasons, the play is more than a performance; it's a calling. "I feel it's a duty to our ancestors to bring these events to life and to allow the outside world to have a perspective on the events that transpired, and how they've shaped us as a people.” Read the blog for more commentary from the Unto These Hills 2016 cast. 

“Unto These Hills” is one of the oldest outdoor dramas in the United States. In 2006, the script was rewritten, but this year, for the first time in over a decade, the original Kermit Hunter production is back, in a highly anticipated show with some updates. The new season runs from June 3 to August 19. See it under the stars with your loved ones this summer and witness the history, heartbreak, and triumph of the Cherokee people. 

Planning your trip to Cherokee, NC, this summer? Whether it’s your first time or your annual family tradition, there’s a ton to see and do—you won’t want to miss a thing! With so much happening, including over a hundred free events throughout the year, we’ve put together a list of our top five favorite Cherokee summer experiences that your whole family will enjoy.

Each year, outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” presents a powerful retelling of the story of the Cherokee people in the Eastern region up and through the forced removal in 1838 known as the Trail of Tears. The 2018 season in Cherokee, NC, runs from June 2 to August 18, with shows at 8 p.m. each night, except Sundays when the theater is closed.