Travel and Outdoors

8 ‘trails’ to try in Jackson County, NC

Presented by a GVLtoday Partner

From biking, hiking + riding to arts and crafts to craft beer — 2023 is the Year of the Trail in Jackson County.
| Photo provided by Jackson County

It’s time to rethink trails, Greenville. While Jackson County, NC’s stunning outdoor scenery and trails galore make it a fab place to put on your hiking shoes, there are multiple ways traverse the county’s mountain towns and backroad adventures. Whether planning your summer travels or visiting during the less-crowded Secret Season, here is our round up of eight types of trails to experience in Jackson County:

🥾 Hiking

If you’re looking to lace up your boots and explore, there are plenty of adventurous hiking trails — from family-friendly walks at the Panthertown Valley to challenging treks at Pinnacle Park to scenic strides with wildlife and waterfall views at Silver Run Falls.

🚲 Biking

Ride, stride, and glide on bike-friendly trails like a casual ride on the Tuckasegee River Greenway Biking Trail or an experienced trek on the daring Panthertown Valley Mountain Biking Trail.

🐎 Horseback riding

Step up the adventure by exploring Jackson County via horse. Family-friendly fun and scenic tours await at Arrowmont Stables, Smokemont Riding Stables, and Whitewater Equestrian Center.

🎣 Fly fishing

Did you know? Jackson County’s Tuckasegee River is known as a fly fishing paradise. Cast your line at the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail with 15 prime spots to catch trout in crystal-clear streams.

🌳 Low-impact and accessible

Embark on an accessible adventure with a number of low-impact trails offering untouched landscapes, lofty mountains, and picturesque views.

🍽️ Culinary adventure

This one’s for the foodies. Take your tastebuds on a trip through Jackson County’s culinary scene. From casual eats to food trucks and wine bars, you’ll find it all in towns like Cashiers, Cherokee, Dilsboro, and Sylva.

🍻 Craft beverages

Ready for happy hour? Well, beer you go. From smooth ales to hoppy IPAs + more, sip your way through the Ale Trail.

🎨 Arts and culture

This is a different kind of scenery. The Blue Ridge Craft Trail celebrates the rich artistic heritage and contemporary creations of the area with a variety of stops in Jackson County.*

MORE TO EXPLORE

This content was created in partnership with Jackson County and written by Michaela Leung.*

Which trail will you check out on your next visit to Jackson County?

A. One that will get my heart racing
B. Give me an easy stroll with river views
C. I’m going to eat my way through Jackson Co.'s culinary scene
D. I’m ready to dive into the area’s arts and history

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Sushi Rollin’ 101 | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Brewery 85, 6 Whitlee Ct., Greenville | $59.99 | Learn the basics of sushi making, including equipment and preparation, how to make the rice, and the fundamentals of making a sushi roll.
Art & Light x Anchorage Exhibit featuring Bethany Mabee | Thursday, Jan. 26-Saturday, April 1 | Times vary | The Anchorage, 586 Perry Ave., Greenville | Free | View the artwork of Bethany Mabee entitled “Structured Motion,” which is part of the quarterly Anchorage Exhibition Series curated by Art & Light Gallery.
An Evening with Trey Gowdy In Conversation with Destiny Chance | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7 p.m. | Greenville Theatre, 444 College St., Greenville | $38-$45 | Join former Congressman, Fox News host, and New York Times bestselling author Trey Gowdy for a conversation with WYFF 4 anchor Destiny Chance to celebrate his latest book, “Start, Stay, or Leave.”
53rd Annual Upstate South Carolina Boat Show | Thursday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Jan. 29 | Times vary | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr., Greenville | $0-$7 | Find everything you need to start the New Year right (from boats, docks, and fishing equipment to finance and insurance options).*

Friday, Jan. 27

Glow Golf | Friday, Jan. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | 3’s Greenville, 61 Villa Rd., Greenville | $20 | Play Glow Golf holes on the Par 3 course and also on the Humps & Bumps Putting Course — bring your own putter.
Sound Committee Jams | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10 p.m. | Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe, 111 Augusta St., Greenville | Free entry | Groove all night long to this six-piece band.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Beers & Balance | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10-11:15 a.m. | Tetrad Brewing Co., 603 E. Stone Ave., Greenville | Free | Awaken, refresh, and align at this mindful flow yoga class and enjoy a post-stretch pint of Tetrad craft beer of your choice.
Saturday Jam in the Gallery | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 8 p.m. | Inchoate Gallery at Railside Studios, 46 Lois Ave., Greenville | $10 | Catch live music with Sun Dogs and enjoy snacks, drinks, and local art.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Aquila Theatre in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $45 | Classical theater producer Aquila presents its production of this social satire featuring characters like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 7 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $15-$30 | Multi-Platinum-selling contemporary Christian artist TobyMac brings his Hits Deep Tour to town with specials guests like CROWDER, Cochren & Co., Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick, and Terrian.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

51º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Announced

The 2023 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists have been announced, and the list features one Greenvillian: Dayna Lee-Márquez of Comal 864. Dayna, who opened the West Greenville taco pop-up turned restaurant in November 2021, is among 19 chefs in the Best Chef: Southeast category. Congratulations, Dayna.

Coming Soon

Here’s a new restaurant to taco ‘bout. Condado Tacos is opening next month in Magnolia Park (1025 Woodruff Rd., Ste. G04, formerly Tin Lizzy’s Cantina). Featuring a variety of menu items — including build-your-own tacos — this spot marks the Columbus, OH-born chain’s first SC location. 🌮 (The Post and Courier Greenville)

Open

Breakthrough by Taylor Brand Consulting is now open in Greer. The space serves as a networking and productivity space for entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives, and professionals. Learn more about memberships and upcoming events in its Instagram stories.

Class

Local vegan bakery basta. is hosting a vegan cookie-making class on Monday, Jan. 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Modal (813 Augusta St.). Learn how to make a cookie to perfection, include add-ins, and have them come out soft and chewy or crunchy. 🍪

Eat

Lewis Barbecue now offers catering. You can pick up your order anytime (and skip the line), have the Lewis team deliver and set up your order, or have a full-service event with smoking and meat-slicing at your location or on Lewis’ outdoor patio. See the menu and place your order. 🍖
Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: GVLtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *

Plan Ahead

Mark your calendar for The Greenville Drive’s Dinner at the Diamond on Friday, Feb. 10 — the Saturday, Feb. 11 seating already sold out. Enjoy bubbly, appetizers, live music, a Chef-prepared dinner of your selection for up to four people, and a $100 giftcard from Hale’s Jewelers. 💎

Job

Speaking of the Greenville Drive, the organization and West End Events at Fluor Field are hosting a hiring event for seasonal positions on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Champions Club at Fluor Field (945 S. Main St.). Individuals 16+ are invited to learn more and apply to positions in food and beverage, ticketing, and on-field operations. ⚾

Arts

Greenville Center for the Creative Arts will open its new Main Gallery exhibition, “It’s all around us,” on First Friday, Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m. The group exhibition, featuring artists Heather Brand, Alan Shuptrine, and Dawn Stetzel, explores the way man-made materials and structures can affect our relationship with the natural world.

Greenvillian

Greenville Federal Credit Union and The Greenville News recognized Dr. Manisha Shanbhag Patel as their December 2022 Community Hero. Learn about Manisha’s commitment to helping others through her children’s book giveaway program and volunteerism — and keep your eyes peeled for January’s honoree. 📚*

Shop

Our online store Six & Main is now featuring Jessica Reynolds Art, a GVL-based brand that focuses on colorful home decor items that celebrate the little things in life. Shop this brand’s unique collection of tea towels. 🛍️
Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Things are looking up at the zoo 🦒

The Greenville Zoo breaks ground on its new giraffe feeding platform

Conceptual design renderings of a giraffe feeding platform at the Greenville Zoo.

Conceptual design renderings of the new platform | Renderings via the City of Greenville

With the help of the Greenville Zoo Foundation and a contribution from donors Jim and Janice Cordes, the Greenville Zoo broke ground on its new giraffe feeding platform on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The new 9-ft platform will overlook the Masai giraffes’ habitat and give guests the opportunity to hand-feed lettuce to its tall residents, Miles and Autumn.

While the deck is projected to be finished by May 1, it will open to the public in June to allow time for the giraffes to acclimate to the new structure and interaction with guests.

The Greenville Zoo’s John Edds says, “This opens up a whole new realm for us to be able to interact with the animals... because it allows the ambassadors to become even more up close and personal with our guests coming through. “

Click below to see the City’s of Greenville’s behind-the-scenes look at the Greenville Zoo’s giraffe habitat, including what they eat and what makes their mouths unique.

WATCH FOR MORE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kyle.

Editor’s pick: I could not be more excited to see Dayna’s name on the 2023 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists list. If you’re now craving some Comal 864 like I am, don’t forget to grab your GVL Taco Trail passport before digging into the Birria Quesitacos.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here’s what to know about the Church Street bridge rehabilitation.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Anne Hazard | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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