Franklin Farmers Markets Morning to Cherokee Waterfalls in the Afternoon

There’s something pretty great about having a Saturday with no strict plans—just coffee, sunshine, and seeing where the day takes you. That’s exactly how Debra and I started our Mother’s Day weekend. We headed out for a laid-back morning in Franklin, NC, and ended up exploring waterfalls and history in Cherokee by the afternoon.

Meet Your Guides, Debra + Lee

Starting Our Saturday at Franklin Farmers Markets

We kicked things off at the Franklin Farmers Market walking from section to section to take it all in. Debra’s goal was to find a nice flowering plant for her mother for Mothers Day and we found the perfect one at the ladies of the Franklin Garden Club came through. While she looked to buy flowers, I walked around and took a lot of flower photos – some I share at the bottom of this blog post. The Farmers Market booths were filled with local produce, wildflowers, handmade crafts, baked goods, and some truly friendly folks.

We didn’t buy anything this time, but we had fun chatting with the local vendors, learning about their farms, and checking out everything they brought to share. There’s something about being surrounded by all that local color and fresh food that just puts you in a good mood.

From vibrant tomatoes to wildflower bouquets, it was a great reminder of how much heart goes into the local food scene here in the mountains.

Then at about 11:00 am, it was time to head off to Cherokee, NC. We made a quick stop for gas and then enjoyed a scenic 30-minute drive through the mountains until we arrived a the Qualla Boundary—the official name for the land where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) lives.

The Qualla Boundary is a 57,000-acre land trust, held by the U.S. government specifically for the tribe. While it’s often called the Cherokee Indian Reservation, it’s technically a land trust, not a reservation. Most of the 57,000-acre area is owned by individual tribal members rather than the federal government. The area borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

First Stop? Native Brews Tap & Grill for Lunch!

After the market, we cruised over to Native Brews Tap & Grill to grab some lunch. This cool spot is 100% Native American and women-owned by Collette Coggins? We had a chance to talk with her for a bit and were pumped to hear she’s interested in doing a future episode of our My Life My Story podcast. (Speaking of, have you listened to some of our latest episodes? Check it out here if you’re into stories that stick with you.)

Now, let’s talk food. The BourbonZola Burger was everything a burger should be—juicy, flavorful, and stacked with just the right kick. Debra went lighter with the Strawberry Spinach Salad, which looked as good as it tasted.

To wash it all down, I grabbed their Flaming Arrow West Coast IPA, which had just the right hoppy bite, and Debra cooled off with their Electric Lemonade. The vibe here is relaxed, fun, and full of flavor—exactly our kind of lunch stop.

Chasing Waterfalls at Mingo Falls

With our bellies full, we made our way toward Big Cove, a community in the Cherokee and home to Mingo Falls.

The trail is short—about 0.3 miles one-way—but don’t let that fool you. There’s a good climb with plenty of steps, so be ready to get your heart rate up. But once you reach the top, the view makes it all worth it.

Mingo Falls towers at 120 feet and is hands-down one of the most stunning waterfalls we’ve seen in the Southern Appalachians. The water cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush forest and rushes under the viewing platform bridge and into the stream below. It was just the kind of peaceful we didn’t know we needed.

We stood there for a while just taking it all in—cool mist in the air, birds chirping, and not a single thing on our to-do list. Well, except for going to our next stop, Mingus Mill.

Wrapping Up at Mingus Mill

Before heading home, we made one last stop at Mingus Mill, just inside the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Built in 1886, the historic mill usually gives visitors a chance to see water-powered machinery in action—but during our visit, the inside was closed for renovations.

Still, it’s absolutely worth the stop. You can walk around the outside, hear the sound of the nearby stream, and check out the impressive 200-foot-long wooden flume that rides high atop a bridge made of stacked log cribbing. It’s pretty wild to think how they engineered this over a century ago—and it’s still holding up.

Even without the indoor view, the peaceful setting and historic feel make Mingus Mill a beautiful spot to slow down before heading home.

From local finds in Franklin to mountain views in Cherokee, our Saturday was everything we love about living in and exploring Western North Carolina. Good food, good people, and a few beautiful stops along the way.

Let us know your favorite farmers markets or hidden hiking spots at Hey@828Vibes.com — we’re always looking for new weekend adventures to check out!