Marie,
Cherokee? Really? That's near my old stomping grounds.
Forget the casino, go over to Cullowhee and get a kayak or a tube and take a lazy ride down the Tuckaseegee.
Get up on the Blue Ridge parkway or hike the Appalachian trail.
Or go white water rafting on the Nantahala.
http://www.noc.com/ Or go see the former super secret spy station in Rosman, NC.
http://www.carolinacorner.com/attractions/pari-secret-spy-station-educational-resources.htm