The Tapoco Lodge was built in 1930 by the Tallassee Power Company to house workers near the Cheoah dams and other hydroelectric power projects in the area. | Photo by LOUtoday
Itching to get out of town this summer, Raleighites? Jump in your car for a road trip to the Historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville — part of the Great Smoky Mountains’ foothills.
📍Essential info
Drive time: ~5.5 hours
Year the lodge was established: 1930
Open: Year-round
🥾 Experience
Hiking
There are 14 trails on the property and surrounding Nantahala National Forest that range from short 1.5-mile loops to more extensive 7-mile hikes.
Explore the history
Take a walk around the 120-acre campus to see the 1900s Tin Can Theater, a World War II bomb siren, and an antique gas station.
Wehrloom Honey
Located 20 minutes off the property, this local honey shop has a mead taproom, honey tastings, a bee observatory, and a gift shop.
The Warning | 7 p.m. | The Ritz | $35+ | This Mexican rock band is hitting the stage in Oak City to play their “Keep Me Fed” album live.
Wednesday, July 16
The Head and the Heart | 6:30 p.m. | Red Hat Amphitheater | $30+ | From “Rivers and Roads” to “Honeybee,” hear the musical stylings of this indie folk band during an outdoor show.
1995 Dinner | Times vary | Irregardless Cafe | $75 | Book a reservation to enjoy a decade-inspired menu, featuring dishes like gazpacho, duck breast with grilled peaches + matcha creme brulee.
Tequila Tasting | 7-8:30 p.m. | Tap Yard Raleigh | $50 | Don Fulano’s tequila experts will guide you as you dive into the world of this clear spirit + a taco buffet.
Thursday, July 17
Summer Sidewalk Sale | Thursday, July 17-Sunday, July 20 | 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. | North Hills | Free+ | Elevate your window shopping plans by heading to your favorite designer brands during this annual sale + enter to win a $500 shopping spree.
Friday, July 18
Outdoor Films at Moore Square | North Carolina Museum of Art | Free+ | Bring the family for coloring activities, robot-centered games + a screening of the award-winning animated film “The Wild Robot.”
The giveaway that keeps on giving. | Image by 6AM City
This giveaway is about to reach a crescendo.
We’ve partnered with the North Carolina Symphony to give away two season tickets to the upcoming 2025-2026 Classical Season — yes, an entire season —featuring 14 Saturday concerts running from September 2025 through May 2026 at Meymandi Concert Hall (valued at $1,688).
From timeless masterpieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky to modern works from Orff, Dvořák, and more, this slate of shows promises passion, power, and pure musical magic, and you (plus a guest) could be there for every strum and note.
Ready to secure your spots? All you have to do is fill out this quick survey now through Wednesday, July 23 at 12 p.m. Psst: Triple your winning chances by completing the two bonus entries at the end of the survey.
Our lucky winner will be announced on Friday, July 25 in this newsletter.
Woodson Hall, a $180 million high-tech facility, is planned for NC State’s campus. The 153,000-sqft Integrative Sciences building (named after the university’s former chancellor) will be constructed at the old Harrelson Hall site + is projected to be complete by September 2026. (Triangle Business Journal)
Biz
Cucciolo Terrazza in North Hills announced it will be closed until further notice after a vehicle crashed into the building. While the restaurant repairs the kitchen, you can still get your Italian fix + show local love by heading to its sister concept, Cucciolo Osteria, in Durham.
Transit
GoTriangle will begin service in 15-minute intervals along Routes 400 and 405 (in Durham and Orange counties) on Monday, Aug. 4. Notably, this change will alter some stops along the routes — check times of service + destinations.
Outdoors
Hey bikers, we’ve got news that will really get you pumped. Forest Ridge Park now has a mobile pumptrack — an above-ground riding course that can be used by all skill levels. Bonus: The track will eventually be placed in other parks across Oak City on a rotating schedule.
Drink
California-based Field Recordings Winery is hitting the road to bring its selection to destinations across America — including The Bend Bar. On Friday, July 18, you can enjoy free wine tastings and flights + music from 6 to 9 p.m.
Arts
Local artist Sean Kernick has been busy this month bringing his mural skills around town. For a tribute to Raleigh, you can head to East Hargett Street (in front of The Raleigh Times) to see this rolling composition + then head over to Level7 Rooftop Bar for drinks with the backdrop of Greek god, Xenia.
Sports
Winger/midfielder for the US Women’s National Team — and former UNC player — Tobin Heath has announced her retirement. During her 17-year professional career on the pitch, Heath achieved three Olympic medals + two FIFA Women’s World Cups. (US Soccer)
Eat
Peach season is almost over, but there’s still time to get a taste of The Peach Truck’s best crop in a decade. Order Home Delivery to have fresh, hand-picked freestone peaches sent from the orchard to your front door.*
Read
“I appreciate that you generally leave conclusions for the reader to make for themselves” = Feedback on The Signal, the non-partisan, current affairs newsletter. Subscribe for free.*
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Open
🚌 Next stop: RUS Bus ribbon cutting celebration
Presented by GoTriangle
We’re ready to bus-t a move. | Photos courtesy of GoTriangle
All aboard for a transportation celebration.
GoTriangle is inviting the public to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus) next Friday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This brand-new transit hub, located downtown (right next to the Raleigh Union Station train facility), will help improve the efficiency of public transportation throughout the Triangle.
Bus-sized public party
The festivities start with remarks from local leaders and the snip of the ribbon, followed by nonstop fun with:
Music
Local food trucks
Giveaways
Cake (we’re thinking of it as the bus station’s birthday)
Tours of the station and the chance to “touch a bus”
RUS Bus officially opens for service on Sunday, Aug. 3, but July 25 is the community’s chance to celebrate this major milestone.
Stop by, snap some pics, and see firsthand how this new hub helps keep Raleigh moving forward.
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.
In our recent poll, 56.1% of survey takers said Merritt’s Grill has the best version of this classic sandwich. Let’s take a look at some menu items we’d like to try from this Chapel Hill eatery — while staying on the BLT train.
Veggie lovers | Try the Grandpa’s Tomato — a BLT sans the bacon
Meat lovers | Double up your protein intake with the BLT Burger
Gluten-free-ers | Don’t worry about the bread + get the BLT Salad (with a generous portion of bacon)
Well Raleigh, this will be the last morning you see my face at the bottom of your newsletter. I got to discover so many cool things about Oak City while Allie was away. There’s even a new postcards program for summer travelers.
On select days, you can visit local parks to send a free postcard to a loved one, or you can opt in for a digital version if you can’t make it out to the park. If you’d like to stay in touch, my inbox is always open.
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