The Resort @ Governor’s Crossing has announced the addition of “Pirate Ship” playground. Surveys of previous guests indicated a desire for a play area for smaller children, preferably one that would not involve swimming. After presenting these survey results at the annual Home Owners Association meeting , the association elected to purchase the attraction. The new “Pirate Ship” playground will be located between the outdoor pools and the building housing the front desk office. This dry play area will add to the many amenities already located at The Resort. Installation has already begun with completion targeting April 1st.
Pirate Ship Playground
*Please note this is a manufacture’s sales brochure image, actual playground may differ*
The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism is having an online giveaway for a chance to win prizes through July 19, 2011. The grand prize winner will receive Pigeon Forge accommodations for 4, plus four tickets to Dollywood, Wonderworks, Country Tonite, Titanic and 2 gas cards valued at $60 each. There will be an additional 33 prize winners who will receive a gas card worth $60.
Entries are only accepted online.
Travelers on Newfound Gap Road (U. S. 441) through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will experience delays beginning March 1st. Repairs on the heavily traveled two lane mountain road will begin on the Tennessee side at the state line proceeding north. In addition to repaving and drainage work the stone retaining walls will require repairs including re-construction to support the roadbeds, forcing closure of one lane from March 1st through June 10th.
Just above the Morton Overlook the work on the retaining wall and roadbed will require flag crews to direct traffic from 8AM until 9PM. Overnight traffic will be open to both lanes. At a slightly lower location traffic lights will control traffic around the clock.
From June 11 through August 15 there will be no lane closures during daytime hours. Overnight between 9PM and 8AM construction will again cause lane closures.
The expected completion time of this first phase of the road work project is scheduled for October 2012. An additional two phases are schedule to complete the repairs of the 15 mile stretch of road between Newfound Gap and the park entrance north of Gatlinburg with projected completion in 2016.
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing announced today that the outdoor pools and lazy river will remain open and heated through October 31st. A definite closing date for the season will be decided at a later time depending on weather conditions and pool usage. The indoor waterpark is open year round.
The city of Pigeon Forge is running a contest, the Taking Vacation Back Sweepstakes. The promotion is offering a helping hand to families in need plus a vacation this summer to the city.
People may nominate a deserving family by submitting an essay which is voted on by visitors to the web site. Currently, visitors to the web site may vote on submitted essays to determine the winners for the month of June. They will begin accepting nominations for July on the first of the month.
For further information and contest rules visit mypigeonforge.com.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park will be closing certain roads this spring for much needed repairs. These repairs will affect some of the parks most popular areas.
The Cades Cove Loop Road near Townsend, is slated for repaving from March 1 through May 21. Due to the fact the road has not been repaved in over thirty years, it will need to be totally closed down as it will require total reconstruction.
Clingmans Dome Road, which normally opens April 1st, will be kept closed until around May 29th. Along with road repairs, new public facilities are being installed at the parking area at Clingmans Dome.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is also scheduled to be closed till May 29th. The popular 5 mile scenic loop is in Gatlinburg.
Weather conditions will play an important factor in getting these three projects completed on time. This winter and last fall have been extremely wet causing rock slides along certain roads and making for wet working conditions. We will report any announced delays in scheduled opening dates here on our blog and also on our Twitter page.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies announced Thursday an expansion that will include a habitat for about 20 African penguins. The new multimillion dollar exhibit is scheduled to open in mid-March and is located at the site of the former Veranda Restaurant.
The black footed African penguins average about 2 feet in height and weigh around 5 to 9 pounds. The African penguins, with shorter feathers than the Antarctic penguin, are from a warm climate that will allow for them to be displayed in an indoor-outdoor facility.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, located in downtown Gatlinburg, was named the top aquarium in the nation last year by Trip Advisor, the online travel website.
As more and more people spend their Christmas in the Smokies, the number 1 question is: What restaurants will be open Christmas Day? Thanks to our local Chambers of Commerce and The Mountain Press, we have the following list.
Sevierville
· Applewood
· Ball’s Supper Table
· Longhorn Steak House
· Moe’s Southwest Grill Gatlinburg
· Bear Creek Grill (4PM)
· Blaine’s (2PM)
· Eleanor’s Restaurant
· Hard Rock Café
· Howards
· Legends by Max
· Linberger’s
· McDonalds
· Papa John’s
· Park grill
· Park vista
· Peddler
· Ripley’s Aquarium restaurant
· Smoky’s Sports Pub
· The Lodge at Buckberry Creek Pigeon Forge
· Buddy’s Bar-B-Que
· Calhouns
· Corky’s
· Denny’s
· Flapjacks
· Golden Corral
· Happy Days Diner
· Hardee’s
· Kinkaku
· La Carreta
· Louie’s Grill
· Mama’s Farmhouse
· No Way Jose
· Papa John’s
· Shoney’s (Dixie Stampede location)
· Star Buffet Chinese
· TGI Friday’s
· Thai Thani, Oishi
· Wood Grill Buffet
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year from The Resort at Governor’s Crossing.
Dixie Stampede is having a sweepstakes drawing for a Pigeon Forge Getaway & a Bristol Motor Speedway Racing Experience. Among the prizes the winner will receive are two tickets to Dixie Stampede, two tickets to Dollywood, two tickets to the Food City 250 on Aug. 21, 2009 two tickets to the Sharpee 500 on August 22, 2009.
Entries close July 31, 2009. Click here for details.
Country Music recording artist John Anderson will be in concert at Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge July 10th. Tickets are available by calling 800-792-4308 or may be purchased at the Country Tonite Theatre box office.
