11 Best Things To Do In Murphy, North Carolina

1. Go biblical in the Fields of the Wood nature park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Fields of the Wood is an impressive nature park based on the Holy Bible. This park innovatively displays God’s word amidst all his fantastic creations such as woods and rocks. From the prayer mountain to the colossal Ten Commandments, God’s word unravels as a blessing to all the visitors. This park has free entry so that people belonging to any religion can seek the spiritual blessings of the Almighty. Besides, this park has a lovely cafe and gift shop.

Fields of the Wood

Address: 10000 NC-294, 28906 Murphy, NC

Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: Fields of the Wood

2. Try your luck at the Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

This huge casino has over 1,000 gaming slots and around 70 traditional table games. Gaming slots range from Monopoly to Wheel of Fortune whereas roulette, blackjack and three-card poker are some of the live table game options. The casino bar offers refreshing cocktails so that you are all revived during the game.

Besides, there is also a food court close to the casino which offers a wide range of food options from Nathans Famous to Starbucks, from Panda Express to Papa John’s. Moreover, they also have a loyalty program for regular gamblers. This is an ideal place to catch up with friends over drinks and a fun-packed evening.

Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino

Address: 777 Casino Parkway, 28906 Murphy, NC

Website: Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino

3. Go river walking or canoeing at the Murphy River

Whether it is your regular morning walk session or a casual stroll with your loved ones in the evening, Murphy River Walk is the thing for you. This five-kilometer (three-mile) long trail paved along the Murphy River is lined with native trees and plants and is absolutely scenic. During your walk, you may also encounter some indigenous fish and birds. This pet-friendly trail allows you to get your canine companions along for a walk. With the changing seasons, the colors of the trail change from green in spring to brown in autumn which is another delight to watch.

Murphy River Walk & Canoe Trails

Address: Hiwassee St, Konehete Park, 28906 Murphy, NC

Website: Murphy River Walk & Canoe Trails

4. Shop for antiquities at Marketplace Antiques

If you are a lover of antique goods, then you have perhaps landed at the right spot. Murphy is famous for its antique shops, Marketplace Antiques being one of them. It is a gigantic store with an amazing collection of items ranging from antiquarian furniture and decoratives to accessories. Even if you don’t want to buy something, you could spend hours here just admiring the cool outlandish stuff. Besides, some items may even bring back your childhood memories.

Marketplace Antiques

Address: 41 Peachtree St, 28906-2940 Murphy, NC

5. Go on a boat tour in Apalachia Lake

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The pristine waters of Appalachia Lake with views of the majestic mountains around offer a great a boating experience to the visitors. All tours include a nice ride along the serene shoreline of the lake, all the way up to the spectacular Shoal Creek Falls. You can even enjoy a dip in the clear waters of the lake. Moreover, if you wish to enjoy all of it at your own pace, then go for a private boat with a captain. You can then plan a number of activities during your trip, such as fishing, swimming and more, all at your discretion.

WagonMaster Adventure Ranch Appalachia Lake Charter Tours

Address: 359 Adventure Ranch Rd., 28906 Murphy, NC

Price: 175 USD for 3 hours / 150 USD for 2 hours

Website: WagonMaster Adventure Ranch

6. Enjoy camping in Nantahala (Hanging Dog) US Forest Service Campground

Murphy offers not only cabins for outdoor enthusiasts but also plenty of camping options in the lap of nature. Nantahala or the Hanging Dog US Forest Service Campground located close to Lake Hiwassee is one of the popular camping areas. This site is around 8 kilometers (5 miles) and a scenic drive away from Murphy. Living in the solace of nature, sleeping under the stars and indulging in all nature bound activities indeed appears to be pretty interesting. Besides, other recreation facilities to keep you engaged during camping are hiking through the beautiful forest trails, horseback riding, and kayaking as well as boating in Hiwassee Lake.

Hanging Dog Recreation Area

Address: 8 kilometers (5 miles) on SR 1326 north of Murphy

Website: Hanging Dog Recreation Area

7. Taste craft beer at Andrews Brewing Company

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Andrews Brewing Company was started by Eric and Judy, who also own Calaboose Cellars Winery, in the fall of 2012. Since then, this pretty little taproom has become a popular boozing destination in the mountains. Offering a wide selection of crafted beers with quirky names, this place definitely has something for all kinds of beer geeks.

Andrews Brewing Company

Address: 575 Aquone Rd, 28901-7004 Andrews, NC

Website: Andrews Brewing Company

8. Visit Cherokee County Historical Museum

Cherokee County Historical Museum can be found in downtown Murphy, right next to Cherokee County Courthouse. The museum houses over 2,000 Cherokee artifacts that were gathered by a local resident. There are 700 collectible dolls and over 40 exhibition panels that interpret the culture and history of the Cherokee. The front of the building has a soapstone carving of a turtle that’s tied to the Cherokee creation folklore. That should be an easy landmark to spot.

Cherokee County Historical Museum

Address: 87 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC 28906, United States

Website: Cherokee County Historical Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Tue - Fri: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

9. Go on a paranormal tour

Legend Has It Tours is a local tour group that specializes in giving an informative tour of historical locations in Murphy, North Carolina. Their paranormal tour, “The Dead Are Among Us Tour: A Paranormal Tour Only”, is a fun tour that will have you teaming up with actual paranormal investigators. You’ll learn how to use the equipment they work with during their investigations, from laser thermometers to ghost boxes. The briefing takes 30 minutes, while the investigation itself lasts two and a half hours, so prepare for a hair-raising experience.

Legend Has It Tours

Address: 120 View Pointe Dr d, Murphy, NC 28906, United States

Website: Legend Has It Tours

Price: 25 USD

10. Go wine tasting at Nottely River Valley Vineyards

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For something a little more laid back, head over to Nottely River Valley Vineyards. They have wine tasting tours and special events, so make sure to check their website for updates. This place is great for sitting back and enjoying the amazing location with a glass of wine. Happy hour takes a whole new meaning here, with the sights and sounds of the surroundings. The owners are very kind and know all about wines and how to create delicious and high-quality wine. You will surely want to bring a bottle or two back with you.

Nottely River Valley Vineyards

Address: 1150 Old Culberson Rd, Murphy, NC 28906, United States

Website: Nottely River Valley Vineyards

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 12pm - 6pm (closed from Sun - Thu)

11. Meet the farm animals at Two Crows Farm Alpacas

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Two Crows Farm Alpacas is a self-sustained farm that promotes a rural lifestyle. The farm is owned by Mike and Woody Ham, a pair of great and accommodating hosts. They’ll introduce you to all the animals on the farm, including their main attraction of 43 beautiful alpacas. They’re raised here for their wonderful fiber. This is sure to be a fantastic experience for children and adults alike. Make sure to visit their website or give them a call since you need to make a reservation before visiting.

Two Crows Farm Alpacas

Address: 1495 Boiling Springs Rd, Murphy, NC 28906, United States

Website: Two Crows Farm Alpacas

A small town in the 'Land of the Sky'

Giving you a glimpse of the small town life at its very best, Murphy succeeds in winning your hearts through its simplicity and stunning beauty. Book a stay in one of the vacation rentals and let Murhpy welcome you with wonderful weather and delightful landscapes all year round, no matter what season you are in.