CHEROKEE — The Cherokee Indians are planning to spend nearly $100 million to build an indoor adventure park to lure families year-round to a territory now home to North Carolina's only gambling casino.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee plans an activity center offering rock climbing, zip lines, restaurants, shopping and a 300-room hotel. The tribe aims to have it open in two years.

Eastern Band commerce director Jason Lambert says the tribe has been working on the concept for years. The aim is bringing families to Cherokee and make the mountain region a year-round tourist destination.

The casino has made Cherokee one of North Carolina's largest tourism attractions. Live dealers began leading card games last month, a move designed to attract more gamblers and generate more jobs.