Soco Falls in North Carolina’s Maggie Valley is practically visible from the road. | Photo via WStoday
It’s time to start thinking about a fall trip to the mountains. Managing Editor Eric here — for years, my family has made a fall foliage trek to Bryson City, renting one of many picturesque cabins up in the clouds to look down on the splashes of vibrant color. Its proximity to Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park make it an ideal getaway, whether you plan to hike or just relax + observe.
If you go, stop at The High Test Deli & Sweet Shop (order a Hard Top frozen dessert sandwich). Plan an excursion to Cherokee, where you can peruse a range of small shops while keeping an eye out for Nikki’s Frybread & Grill food truck. Nearby, Oconaluftee Visitor Center is a great place to see elk, and Soco Falls is another picturesque roadside stop.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 5
A Plant-Based Gathering | 6-8 p.m. | Southern Home & Kitchen | $82 | In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn to make plant-based dishes like paprika corn ribs, roasted vegetables + couscous, and more.
Couldn’t Be Happiers | 8 p.m. | Gas Hill Drinking Room | $19+ | Tune in to this folk-rock and Americana duo + opener Mandi Strachota.
Friday, Aug. 8
TTY Third Anniversary Party | Friday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 9 | 5 p.m. | Tucker’s Tap Yard | Cost of purchase | Bring the pups to celebrate with live music, a foam machine, karaoke, and food trucks — Salty Paws Doggie Ice Cream will be on site Saturday.
Downtown Jazz | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Corpening Plaza | Free | Watch headliners Nicholas Cole and Melvin M. Miller perform contemporary music, combining jazz, funk, and soul genres.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Indigenous Peoples and Moravians: A Celebration of Cultures | 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Historic Bethabara Park | Free | Learn about connections between the Cherokee People and early Moravians at this event with a hands-on exhibit, tour, and Anotasgi Cultural Specialists.
Books, Barbecue, and Bingo: A Festival Fundraiser | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Wake Forest Biotech Place | $50+ | Be among the first to hear Bookmarks’ author lineup + enjoy a barbecue dinner (veg options available), a complimentary drink, and bingo.
The parking lot on the right side of Jamison Park as you enter + both sides of the dog park will be closed. | Photo via City of Winston-Salem
Outdoors
For the next four months, the City of Winston-Salem will work to repair Muddy Creek Greenway’s streambank and trail in two locations. During the repair, parts of Jamison Park and the greenway — including the dog park and a parking lot — will be closed. Closures will not affect the park’s shelter or playground. (WXII)
Travel
Smith Reynolds Airport will celebrate the grand opening of its newly renovated terminal with a ribbon cutting next Monday, Aug. 11. Expect to see the building in restored and modernized condition + photos and displays showcasing the airport’s history.
Traffic
Resurfacing at Stratford Road’s five-points intersection started yesterday evening and is set to continue for two weeks. The work will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily on the intersection + sections of Country Club Road and Miller Street.
Ranked
UNCSA’s School of Filmmaking ranked No. 10 in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the “Top 25 American Film Schools.” This is the school’s fourth year holding a spot on the list’s top 10.
Sports
Here’s the tee — Wake Forest University alum Cam Young won his first PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship this past weekend. Young’s win puts him at No. 16 in the FedEx Cup playoff, moving up from 40th. (Triad Business Journal)
Eat
Winston-Salem is the fourth best location in the US for food production, according to a recent ranking by Global Location Strategies. Read about all of the products that are made right here in Twin City. (Triad Business Journal)
Number
20%. That’s how much you can save on our self-service ad portal thanks to our Countdown to Q4 special. Hurry — it only runs until the end of the month. Use code AUGUST20 at checkout to secure your discount.
A go-to pair of running shorts to get you through hot summer workouts. This pair is under $20, has a built-in liner, and stays secure around hips thanks to a thick elastic waistband.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I’m typically the kind of person who plans vacations around food. And when we go to Bryson City, my family always stops in Asheville (about 70 minutes away) for that very reason.
We’ve been known to haunt Haywood Common, but I can’t wait to go back and try some new-to-me restaurants like Good Hot Fish, Neng Jr’s, The Admiral, and Tall John’s. Need somewhere to stay? I can’t say enough good things about Chestnut Street Inn.
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