Things to do

25 Fun Things To Do In Murphy, North Carolina

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Murphy is a small town situated in Cherokee County in North Carolina. It is situated at the geographical center of the Hiwassee and Valley rivers.

Murphy is sometimes referred to as the city of flowers, especially during summer. The town also has a nice downtown with many of the original buildings still intact, some greater local restaurants as well as shops.

Many activities can be enjoyed outdoors which attracts many visitors coming for nature-related adventures. Here are a few other things to do in Murphy:

1. Gain Spiritual Insights At Fields of The Wood

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Fields of the Wood tells the story of Jesus and other Biblical events. It is difficult to point out only one good thing about these top attractions in Murphy North Carolina.

The field is free to explore and you will have an awesome experience. But its biggest attraction is the largest representation of the Ten Commandments, which is about 300 feet wide.

The 200-acre site also has a baptismal pool and a replica of the tomb depicting the stone the Bible said was rolled away three days after Jesus' crucifixion. You can hike up the Ten Commandments Mountain for some beautiful views of the North Carolina Mountains or you can drive.

2. Go Treasure Hunt At Marketplace Antiques

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Marketplace Antiques is popular for its treasure hunts and vintage items. The place can draw you back in time with its retro furniture and one-of-a-kind collectibles.

You can always get insights from the vendors. they are friendly and knowledgeable and happy to share stories about the particular piece you might like.

The market is set up as a maze of booths, each offering distinctive items. Whether you are looking for rare books or antique tools, your visit will be worthwhile.

3. Stay or Play At Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel

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This establishment is loved for both its stay facilities and casino excitements. It is a nice facility in a nice setting and their rates are affordable.

For a blast of excitement, you can try your luck at the hotel's casino. The fun and vibrant atmosphere of Harrah's Cherokee Valley River will surprise you.

The casino has plenty of slot machines, card tables, and lively players jumping for a big win. Even if you are not into gambling, the energy of the place will make you stay.

4. Spend Family Time At Wagonmaster Adventure Ranch and Gem Mine

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The ranch is a great place for families. WagonMaster has everything from gems, mini golf, lodging, boat tours, petting zoo, and more.

Many people visit the place for gem mining; it is their highlight. You will be handed a bag of rough filled with stones and the task is to discover the hidden treasure.

They also host treasure hunt activities. You and your family can take part together and search for hidden prizes scattered all across the property.

5. Watch A Movie At Henn Theater

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The Henn Theater is a true gem. It is a small and cozy space with a welcoming charm that makes every visit special.

Moreover, the prices are great so it is a nice choice for a night out. It might not have the glamour and glitz of a big theater, but the cozy atmosphere beats that aspect.

Check the Henn Theater website for running shows and book your ticket on time. If you are early, wait in their small lobby.

6. Dine In At Murphy's Chophouse

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Are you in search of dining facilities that are higher-end in Murphy, NC? This chophouse is where it is at. The juicy steak aptly spiced fish and other seafood are attractions that customers can only find there.

From the warm friendly environment, it is apparent that everything is going to be just right for that perfect evening. Also, the live music performed on the patio contributes to the mood of the place.

You can also order from a list of excellent wines to go along with the food.

7. Go To The Murphy River Walk

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A gorgeous walking trail right in the town. The access points start from downtown Murphy, and the trail follows the Hiwassee River and the Valley River.

There are several benches, a historic trestle, a railway, and a covered bridge. You will also find overlooks and several trail choices. You can fish, hike, or enjoy the peacefulness of the atmosphere.

Try renting a cabin in the stream or use Murphy Kayak rentals for a half-day kayak experience. The water has low currents and ensures a smooth ride. You can also park at the baseball fields and walk to the Valley River portion.

8. Delve Into History At The Cherokee County Museum

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The Cherokee County Museum has so much more history to teach. You will find information not found in textbooks.

They have two floors of artifacts, and numerous books explaining the past lives of the area and the Cherokees. The usage of the various tools, housing, and clothing, along with a detailed explanation of the Trail of Tears is fascinating to watch.

The staff is well versed in local and regional history and can answer most questions. Admission rates are ranged keeping in mind adults, kids, and military personnel.

9. A Lovely Evening At Nottely River Valley Vineyards

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If you are a wine drinker and passing through the Murphy area, do not pass up this winery. The friendly atmosphere, knowledgeable owner, and excellent wine are what define this place.

They are open for tasting and purchase on Fridays and Saturdays. Bring your munchies and with a bottle enjoy the view around. This is among the great things to do in Murphy North Carolina in the afternoon.

They have white, rose, red, and fruit wines; the Riesling is one of the popular ones. For the best experience, mix the chocolate and strawberry wine. In the winter, you can pick up a mulling wine to enjoy during Christmas Eve.

10. Pop In Murphy Visitor Center

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A great place to pop in for all sorts of information on the area. The staff are helpful and would call various shops and attractions to make sure they are open before you visit.

The center has a plethora of brochures on all the activities, restaurants, and attractions nearby. The inside is a comfortable space with rocking chairs and restrooms available.

If you are planning on spending a little time in Murphy it is recommended you make this one of your first stops. Once done with this town, explore things to do in North Carolina as well.

11. Enjoy Food And Drinks At The Parson's Pub

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A great neighborhood bar-type restaurant with Guinness on draft and friendly staff. Their menu consists of traditional Irish dishes and the food is outstanding.

There is always a great selection of beers on tap, bottle, or can. The fish and chips are a popular dish here and you can complete your dinner with a couple of cold pints.

They prepare the food with fresh ingredients and no frozen ingredients are used. Thus, you can visit the place for a drink or to satisfy your hunger.

12. Stroll Through Downtown Murphy

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Murphy is a beautiful town found in North Carolina with beautiful scenery and full of life. The town contains flowered streets that support the town's nickname the City of Flowers.

It is a perfect place for leisurely walks as well as for discovering old architecture in commercial and industrial facilities. There are also many opportunities to sample the local cuisine from places such as Bistro 29 and ShoeBooties Cafe.

One can also witness the monthly Murphy art walk that focuses on the local talents in arts and music.

13. View Collections At Valley River Arts

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The art center is located in the heart of downtown Murphy. It is housed in a spacious building which is perfect for displaying a secret garden of local arts and crafts.

The term secret garden refers to a someplace unique or unexpectedly delightful. It is easy to be amazed by the wide variety of items on display and the materials that are used.

To name a few materials used include fiber, stained glass, wood, clay, gemstones, paper, watercolor, oil, silk screening, and photography. Most of the pieces incorporate an Appalachian theme that represents the spirit and culture of the surrounding area. Check out any programs at the Valley River Arts website.

14. Snap Pictures At Fire Creek Falls

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This is a beautiful area to visit. It has walking trails, spots for fishing, and places to spend a relaxing time by the water. There are paved paths and more rugged terrain to hike up and up the falls.

Moreover, there is a lovely waterfall to capture for your Instagram. You will also see a little pool and a rushing stream at the bottom of the falls where you can relax and tube.

The recreation area has a lot of picnic tables with grills. You could make a day of it or spend a short time.

15. Check Out The Bill and Ogre's Games

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This store has any Pokemon card you can think of. They have first-edition packs, rainbow rares, base set. They even have Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and magic if you are into that.

The center also holds a variety of events throughout the week, and everyone who works there is kind and helpful. The usual crowd seems pretty friendly too.

If you are in the area and looking for Warhammer, MTG, or similar stuff, it is highly recommended to visit Bill and Ogre's Games.

16. Stop By The Heavenly Hill Honey

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Michael Tatum, the owner of Heavenly Hill Honey has a long background in bee farming; as a child, he assisted his grandpa, who was a bee-farming icon in their region for 30 years.

Come see them today to savor their honey which has taken decades and generations to develop. They mainly deal with various kinds of honey and beeswax, products that can be sold within the regional market as well as the wider market.

The store also focuses on sustainable beekeeping therefore producing the best honey from the apiary.

17. Experience Hanging Dog Recreation Area Tours and Activities

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The Hanging Dog Recreation Area provides several recreational facilities based on the area of Hiwassee Lake.

There is also fishing and boating as well as some beautiful observation trails that allow visitors to soak in mother nature. Hiwassee Lake also includes a boat ramp for motorboats and a fishing deck accessible to the disabled.

Besides fishing the land area of the lake offers a trout fishing area and the shoreline that covers nearly 180 miles. The area comprises several prospects for hiking like the Mingus Trail and Ramsey Bluff Trail.

18. Kayak On Cherokee Lake

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Located on the Appalachian Mountain, Cherokee Lake occupies a land area of roughly 400 acres and presents a calm environment for an increasingly mechanized world.

Some of the main activities that people engage in include kayaking, canoeing, and fishing thereby making it a great water activity site. There are areas with watermarks indicating that families are free to swim and relax without any dangers.

The beautiful surroundings in this area also give many places for viewing the beauty of nature. It is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Murphy NC.

19. Browse Wellness Products From Blue Moon Elise

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Blue Moon Elise is a boutique wellness and retail store based in Murphy. It focuses mainly on body care products such as soaps and aromatherapy products like oil.

It also has numerous classes for people's health improvement, including yoga lessons and soap making. Consumers see a welcoming environment and value good service along with good quality of the products offered both offline and through the online platform.

People are always able to recognize the nice smell from this store which sells a variety of products from gifts to cosmetics and more.

20. Discover The Valley River Brewery

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Valley River Brewery is a specialty brewer and restaurant located at 71 Tennessee Street. It has its microbrewery and a great range of beer.

It is also an informal joint and user reviews describe it as having an excellent food menu and a beer list. You can try wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and many sorts of appetizers.

It doesn't matter whether you are after a constantly changing list of house-brewed beers or a wide variety of foods, something is bound to appeal to everyone on every visit.

21. Visit The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Murphy NC is about 81 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This makes it a good place for day excursions. The drive takes about one and one-half hours depending upon the traffic.

The park has earned a name for its wildlife, scenery, and trails and offers some of the best in the country. Therefore, it creates an opportunity for visitors to tour and enjoy the natural physical landscape of the area.

Murphy acts as an ideal starting point for tourism within the park and paves the way for different avenues that consider the outdoors.

22. Interact With Goats At Ye Olde Goat Farm

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The farm is run by a couple who are the sweetest person you will meet. It is just easy to get carried away speaking with them and learn so much. You have to call first and make an appointment.

It is best to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and take some cash for donations. You will get along with the goats very quickly and might even lose track of time playing with them.

Visit with your family, especially with kids, and let them give one of the baby goats a bottle for food. As a result, this is a place to see, pet, and feed some goats.

23. Drive To The Hiwassee Dam

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Conveniently located near the Bear Paw Community, the Hiwassee Dam is worth a drive from Murphy. It offers impressive views from the top but you can also drive to the bottom of the dam for another look.

The place offers many photo opportunities and one can walk out on the sidewalk for a better view. It is fascinating to see the different water levels on each side. There is a small picnic area and a boat ramp.

This location is close enough to many dams in the area that can be visited on the same day.

24. Experience Great Dining At Bistro 29

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In particular, Bistro 29 has strengths in the area of quality and novelty. It offers a great dining atmosphere with an emphasis on quality and consideration for the customers and it presents several meals, which are loved by most people.

Popular items include the pork chops, the Chilean sea bass as well as the lobster tail. The restaurant has been praised by its customers in the form of commendations for their good services and well-lit environment.

Bistro 29 holds its business from Tuesday to Saturday and it provides seating areas both inside and outside space.

25. Indulge In Outdoor Activities At Nantahala National Forest

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Nantahala National Forest, the largest national forest in North Carolina, is about 25 miles away from Murphy. This is the largest forest in the region.

It occupies an area of 531,842 acres and has immensely attractive terrains like deep gorges among others. This forest has numerous activities including, hiking, rafting, and camping among others.

From Cherokee origin, Nantahala translates to land of the noonday sun because of its unique valleys that restrict much penetration of sunlight.