Good Morning Reader,

From 5-star reads to the coolest murals, this newsletter is filled with our latest recommendations for coffee, waterfall hikes, sushi, and more.

💕 A Few Places to Love in East Asheville (& Haw Creek) Lately

☕️ East Asheville has been bringing us so much joy this steamy summer. A few highlights:

🍻 The Whale Outpost - This is a cozy bar and bottleshop with multiple seating areas, two arcade machines, and local art. I went to grad school in Tampa, so I love seeing St. Pete’s Green Bench on tap. Tom and I usually frequent The Whale’s West Asheville bar paired with Haywood Common, but the Outpost has a different, equally fun vibe.

☕️ Dripolator - Their Black Mountain coffee shop is one of my all-time favorites, and the East AVL location won't disappoint. They have baked goods, including Dolci di Maria for gf/df desserts. Get a blackberry matcha latte.

☕️ PennyCup Haw Creek - You know Tom and I recently dipped into their Silverline & North AVL coffee shops, and now, I’m in love with Haw Creek. Those murals from Emma Rubens. I champion the local literature shelves at all locations. I recommend getting a bag of beans for your home machine. The Mexican blend is my favorite, so far.

☕️ Filo Pastries - We showcased Filo recently. Get a cherry-anything latte with a pastry. It's a bit magical inside, too. 🥐

Also in this area, hike Masters Park to Haw Creek, and find restaurants like Creekside Taphouse, Copper Crown, and RendezVous.

📝 Our Asheville Favorites & Bucket List

I updated our "Asheville Favorites + Bucket List" PDF for our newest newsletter subscribers. This 3-page, clickable document has a mix of blockbuster attractions for first-time visitors—also great if you live here and have people coming to town—along with more local recommendations for both residents and travelers.

Of course, subscribing to Uncorked Asheville's newsletter is where you'll get the most insider information.

🥾 Local Asheville Hiking Trails We Love

It's no secret that Asheville has terrific hiking trails. If we had to pick the best local Asheville hiking trails—not just the (unforgettable) blockbusters like Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Linville Falls—we’d go with these:

💦 Waterfalls near Asheville Worth the Hike

From famous movie filming locations to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway, lace up those boots to hike the best waterfalls near Asheville. All are within 1.5 hours of AVL and open post-Helene.

🍣 Satisfy Your Sushi Craving

See where to build your own poke. Find the best Asian tapas, unique specialty rolls, budget-friendly lunch specials, and soups, with a few hidden gems across Western North Carolina. These are our favorite Asheville sushi restaurants. Watch our YouTube short, too:

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🍎 Apple Orchard Season Is Starting!

I cannot believe it, but the Hendersonville and Flat Rock area apple orchards are opening their doors. As I'm updating all of our fall guides, these are the orchards Tom and I most enjoy for apple picking, corn mazes, and delicious treats.

📆 Mark Your Calendars: Mid to End of July 2026 Events & Festivals in Asheville

• July 11 - August 29 (Saturdays): Shindig on the Green in Pack Square Park (Downtown AVL)
• July 16 - 19: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands at Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Downtown Asheville)
• July 23 - July 26: Love Shine Play Yoga Festival​
• July 23 - 25: Hillbilly Jam (pre-party & JAM) in Maggie Valley
• July 30 - August 1: Mountain Dance & Folk Festival (Asheville High School)

📚 For Our Uncorked Travelers Who Read

If you are looking to read more this summer or clear up your to-be-read (TBR) pile, we have two new Uncorked Reading Challenge Bingo cards. Our community discusses books in our private Facebook group, Uncorked Readers.

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Three spectacular, 5-star books I've read lately, published at the end of 2025 or new in 2026:

📚 Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan - This might be one of my all-time favorites for a healthy romance full of emotional maturity and lovable characters.

Plot: When Dolly helps wealthy Stewart Whitfield change his tire—and ultimately his image— they start fake dating to help each other: She needs a new roof for her dad’s house, and he needs his family to think he actually has a work-life balance. Of course, they do so much more for each other. My full Goodreads review is here.

📚 Whistler by Ann Patchett - Have the tissues ready. If you love slow burns that examine familial bonds, the ever-brilliant Ann Patchett won't let you down in her newest (unless you are a horse person, hoping for a horse book).

Plot: When Daphne reconnects with her childhood stepfather, she starts unpacking the past—starting with a horrific car accident that forces Eddie to disappear from their lives. As she and Eddie work to rebuild their connection in adulthood, from crashing a wedding to dinner parties with not-so-simple friends, we watch as family members grow and age. Read my review on StoryGraph.

📚 Heart the Lover by Lily King - This one is quite infuriating and devastating. The characters are slightly detestable but also relatable. I had all the Gilmore Girls feels here with Rory, Logan, and the Life & Death Brigade vibes.

Plot: Nash, Sam, and Jordan attend a Southern college together, all a little pretentiously self-absorbed while falling in and out of love. A series of quiet, immature, and scared choices reverberate throughout their lives, decades later, when they once again meet. Read my longer review here.

☀️ Enjoy the Rest of this Hot July

Have a great weekend, and feel free to forward this email to anyone who would benefit from our updated Asheville PDFs. New Uncorked Travelers can always subscribe here.

And, if you loved a book recommendation, article, new video, or suggestion, say thanks with a tip here.