Travel: There's more than gaming at Eastern Cherokee casino

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is just over an hour from Asheville. But walk through the doors of this big flashy complex and it’s like visiting Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

About three million visitors make the trip every year, said Leeann Bridges, vice president of marketing at Harrah’s Cherokee.

The gaming floor is buzzing with action, with blackjack, roulette, craps, poker and baccarat. Some 3,700 slot machines stay busy at all hours of the day and night. One area is devoted to high-stakes gambling. Another has Asian-style games. High-energy pop music booms through the gaming area speakers.

But Harrah’s Cherokee goes beyond gambling. A big theater has some of the hottest concerts in Western North Carolina, with acts that have never played Asheville. The Essence Lounge has nightclub entertainment. There are a lot of dining options and shopping opportunities.

The expanded, 21-story hotel has 1,100 rooms. Need to unwind? Just head over to the Mandara spa for some serious pampering. Or for hotel guests, make a splash at the two swimming pools. Or knock the ball around at the Sequoyah Golf Club.

It’s a far cry from the old Harrah’s, which opened in 1997 with video gaming machines. Harrah’s was the first casino in these parts and became a quick hit. A second Harrah’s is under construction in the Murphy area. Both are owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee operation has 2,500 employees and the new Murphy casino will have an estimated employment of 900.