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, TBAY. 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 + 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.*

POLL

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

EVENTS

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Today, Jan. 26

$5 After 5 at the Imagine Museum | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $5 | Explore the contemporary glass art museum for a reduced price.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $85-$825 | Head over to Amalie to watch the Lightning take on the Bruins.
Gasparilla Bar Crawl 5K | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Bar HWRD, 302 S. Howard Ave., Tampa | Free+ | Dress in your pirate best and join the Bar HWRD Run Club for a 5K with plenty of drinks.
The Moth | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa | $40-$50 | The show features a diverse lineup of guests telling stories of adventure, struggle, redemption, and creativity.

Friday, Jan. 27

Poor Stacy | Friday, Jan. 27 | 6 p.m. | The Brass Mug, 1450 Skipper Rd., Tampa | $25-$75 | The hip-hop and punk rock artist will be joined by special musical guests.
Jeff Dunham | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $49.50 | The famed ventriloquist and stand-up comedian totes along some wise-cracking characters.
Rough Riders Pre Gasparilla Invasion Party | Friday, Jan. 27 | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | Free | Get your pre-pirate invasion party on with Tampa’s most famous swashbucklers.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Tombolo’s Fantasy Book Club | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9-10 a.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Join fellow book lovers to discuss “Even Though I Knew the End.”
Gasparilla Bar Crawl and Brunch | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Parks and Rec, 290 S. Meridian Ave., Tampa | $29-$89 | Enjoy five free shots, all the brunch classics, and plenty of pirate garb.
St. Pete STEAMfest | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Celebrate all things science, tech, engineering, art, and math at this family-friendly event.
Pinellas TacoFest | Saturday, Jan. 28-Sunday, Jan. 29 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | England Brothers Bandshell Park, 5010 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park | Free | Enjoy food trucks, a salsa competition, a market, and more.
2023 Tampa Mardi Gras Pop-Up | Saturday, Jan. 28 | Tampa Marriott,
505 Water St., Tampa | Free | Share drinks with the Loyola University New Orleans Tampa alumni chapter.

Sunday, Jan. 29

After Gasparilla Cleanup | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 8-11 a.m. | 306 E. Jackson St., Tampa | Free | Help fellow Tampanians pick up beads and other Gasparilla garbage.
Market on Main | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Main Street Safety Harbor, 750 Main St., Safety Harbor | Free | Shop for your weekly produce and other local goods at Safety Harbor’s open-air market.

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

NEWS NOTES

Weather

61º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:20 a.m.
Set: 6:07 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 6:08 a.m. + 7:16 p.m.
Low: 12:37 a.m. + 12:51 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:13 a.m. + 3:03 p.m.
Low: 8:45 a.m. + 9:19 p.m.

Health

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council is partnering with Tampa General Hospital to expand the rapidly growing Medical + Research District in downtown Tampa. The move is expected to generate $8.3 billion in revenue for the state. 🏥

Real Estate

ATTOM, a property data analyzer, revealed that an average three-bedroom apartment’s rent in Hillsborough or Pinellas is more affordable than owning a median-priced home. Last year it was more cost-effective to own a home. 🏡 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Eat

Hyde Park’s Forbici Modern Italian (1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa) is looking to expand to downtown St. Pete. The neighborhood restaurant offers patrons hearty pizzas and Italian dishes + live music. 🍝 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
The Tampa Bay Jewish Food Festival drive-thru is back in town Sun., Feb. 26. All orders must be placed online by this Sun., Jan. 29. Pick up your noodle kugel, NY-style cheesecake, and much more at Temple B’nai Israel on Sun., Feb. 26. (1685 Belcher Rd. S., Clearwater). ✡️ (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Transit

The SunRunner, St. Pete’s bustling new bus line, is eyeing up the St. Pete Pier for a new station. The expansion would bring riders closer to the Cross Bay Ferry. The brightly colored buses completed more than 80,000 rides last month, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 🚎 (Tampa Bay Times)

Plan Ahead

Three local icons will sit for portraits at the Morean Art Center, Sat., Feb. 25, from 7-10 p.m. at this year’s Iconic: Portrait Edition gala. So far, just two local celebs have been revealed — Eugenie Bondurant from Marvel’s “Werewolf By Night” + St. Petersburg Chief of Police Anthony Holloway. 🎨 (I Love the Burg)

Learn

A critically endangered Sumatran tiger named Bandar is the newest resident at Busch Gardens (10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa). Bandar will share four acres of land with two other tigers in the Jungala exhibit. The World Wildlife Foundation estimates there to be less than 400 Sumatran tigers today. 🐅 (WFLA)

Ranked

58 and 61. That’s where Tampa and St. Pete ranked respectively on Lawn Love’s list of Cities With the Most Green Space. The list compared cities based on the number of parks and average yard size. Looking to get lost in our greenery? Check out our list of hikeable spots.
We recently told you the Tampa Riverwalk was nominated for one of the best riverwalks in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best. Well, the waterside recreational space is currently sitting in third place for People’s Choice. There are still 11 days left to vote.

Finance

Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*

Shop

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. 📦 *

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eat and drink

Bringing that nutrition to fruition 🍏

Why limit yourself to a cuppa juice when you could also indulge in a tasty salad or wrap? | Photo via @cleanjuicehydepark

Today, on National Green Juice Day, we’re sharing four local juicers that’ll help you get your recommended daily dose of fruits + veggies:

Swami Juice | 2832 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa

Try Swami’s liver-cleansing nectar of the gods, otherwise known as Zeus Juice.

Squeeze Juice Works | Three St. Petersburg locations

Speaking of Zeus, Squeeze’s drinks are like “lightning in a bottle,” according to the website. Keep it laid back with some Simple Greens.

Clean Juice | 1634 W. Snow Ave. + 13138 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa

Not sure which option to go for? This local spot offers a short quiz to find out which of its drinks is best for you based on your personality. We recommend The Protection One to ward off any sickness.

Karma Eatery | 1804 4th St. N., St. Petersburg

One of Karma’s Mega Detox green smoothies should get you right after a night of partying along Central Avenue.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brad.

Editor’s pick: The Poor Stacy concert features a friend of mine named Justin Bruno. He’s a local talent and is one of the opening acts. Listen to his new song “Mess It Up” and tell us what you think.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We sampled food from a handful of TBAY’s newest eateries.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | 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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