Move over Best Western Twin Islands, Margaritaburg is Coming to Town!

Best Western Twin Islands in Gatlinburg, surrounded by the west fork of the Little Pigeon River, has been a vacation getaway for families through the decades; however, the time has come for a newer and bigger island-themed getaway called Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies, or as we like to call it, Margaritaburg! The new resort promises to offer the same lush, island landscape along with a new laid-back atmosphere and oasis of amenities.

Two of the Best Western Twin Islands buildings on the smaller island will be remodeled to house the St. Somewhere Spa and hotel suites. The beautiful stonework from the demolished Twin Islands buildings will be preserved and used throughout the new 5-acre, island landscape.

In case anyone is wondering, the long-standing Best Western Twin Islands was not affected by the wildfires; this development is just progress and has been in the works for a while.

The four-star Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies will consist of a seven-story hotel with 174 rooms. Each room will have a wet bar equipped with a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker.  The resort will offer room service, bellhops, valet parking, concierge, fitness facility and indoor heated pool. The 4,000 sq. ft. outdoor pool will offer a two-loop slide, splash pad, and hot tub. Guests will also enjoy signature Margaritaville food, beverage and shopping concepts.

An additional part of the project includes the building of a LandShark Restaurant to occupy the space of the former Hard Rock Cafe Gatlinburg. Resort guests will have direct walking access to the new restaurant. According to a release by Margaritaburg, LLC, the consortium of local investors in the project, the resort will cost around $35 million and create about 150 jobs for the local economy.

The LandShark Restaurant is scheduled to open Spring 2017. Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies, located at 539 Parkway, Gatlinburg, is expected to open July 2018.

And if you’re wanting to just dive right into that relaxing Margaritaville atmosphere now, no worries. Just head to Pigeon Forge to the Margarita Island Hotel and kick back and enjoy the season! Give them a call at 844-434-6787.

Lyrics & Lore Weekend at DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge January 26-29, 2017

Enjoy a weekend of hands-on storytelling and music making at Lyrics & Lore Weekend at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge January 26-29, 2017. The International Storytelling Center and the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival have partnered to offer this extraordinary weekend for creative souls. As they say, everyone has a story, and on this special weekend you can learn how to tell your own one-a-kind story and discover the song inside yourself. All this with the inspirational backdrop of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains!

During the Lyrics & Lore Weekend, participants will enjoy hearing internationally recognized storytellers and learn the back-stories behind some of today’s and yesterday’s most popular songs.

Lyrics & Lore Weekend kicks off with a Meet & Greet Welcome Reception on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and hear from world-renowned storytellers Beth Horner and Bill Lepp. Hands-on workshops include “Find the Song Inside of You” with Michael deBills, “Mining Mermories & Discovering Family Stories,” with Beth Hornerm, and more. Hit songwriters, Keith Anderson, Scott Reeves, Doug Johnson, Bill LeBounty, Brady Seals, Brian White, and Chad Kennedy will also provide writing workshops.

Be sure to register for the free Lyrics & Lore Weekend workshops, matinees and afternoon songwriters showases. Visit Lyrics & Lore Registration to reserve your space now. For more information, please call Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival at 865-604-9066 or email smswf@yahoo.com.

Guests will also enjoy two concerts as part of the Lyrics & Lore Weekend. On Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. Country music’s Keith Anderson is joined in the round with hit artists Scott Reeves, Bill LaBounty, and Doug Johnson.  Then on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Larry Stewart will perform. Concert tickets for adults are $20 per person; children are $15 each for ages 4-11. Combo tickets can be purchased for adults for $35 each and children for $25 each.

For a complete Lyrics & Lore Weekend schedule of events and to purchase concert tickets online, please visit Smoky Mountains Song Writers Festival. As host location, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa is offering a special package deal for participants. Visit DreamMore Resort for the special weekend pricing.

More Trails Re-Open in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Stay Hiking My Friends!

Several trails that have been closed due to the Chimney Tops 2 Fire have re-opened say Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials. Hikers are asked to stay on established trails and be cautious of trail hazards, such as overhead limbs, throughout the park.

The popular Gatlinburg Trail, which allows dogs, is again open. Also re-opened are Sugurlands Valley Nature Trail, Huskey Gap Trail, Backcountry campsite #21, and the quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Newfound Gap.

Please be aware that the following trails and campsites are currently closed due to fire or storm damage: Chimney Top Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail, Road Prong Trail, Cove Mountain Trail, Sugarlands Mountains Trail from Mt. Collins Shelter to Little River Road, Rough Creek Trail, Old Sugarlands Trail, Twin Creeks Trail, Bull Head Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Campsite #32 to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, the Sugarlands Horse Concessions Trails, backcountry campsite #11, and Scott Mountain Trail from campsite #5 to Schoolhouse Gap (campsite #6 is open.)

For the latest information on road closures and weather conditions, visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Please note that there is still a burn ban in effect not only for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also for Sevier and Blount Counties. Campfires nor open grills are allowed in the national park until further notice. 

Snowy Slopes Signal Survival as Ober Gatlinburg Opens to Skiers and Snowboarders on December 16, 2016

It’s always a big deal when Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area opens for the winter season and this year it’s especially sweet because it means the town of Gatlinburg is getting back to normal after last month’s wildfires. Those snowy slopes signal survival as Ober Gatlinburg opens to skier and snowboaders on Friday, December 16, 2016. Some come on and let’s hit the slopes!

If  you’ve wanted to try snow skiing or snowboarding, now is the time to bundle up and head to Ober Gatlinburg! Five of their ten slopes are now open! And if that’s not your thing, there’s also snow tubing, ice skating, scenic chairlift, aerial tramway, mountain coaster, alpine slide, carousel, wildlife encounter, arcade, restaurants, and shopping. There’s snow much fun at Ober Gatlinburg – it’s absolutely a whole day’s worth!

The wildfires didn’t damage the ski area and amusement park although many homes and businesses on Ski Mountain Road were completely destroyed by the firestorm on November 28. It did take a dedicated team of workers to get the power restored after a substation burned, to resurface the ice rink and slopes after they melted, and clean up debris and minor damage by the high winds so that Ober Gatlinburg could open again to the public.

To help you enjoy your winter adventure at Ober Gatlinburg, we have a few friendly tips for you to enjoy your visit.

  • What to Wear – Dress in layers of performance wear, meaning no cotton, under your snow pants and jacket. You’ll be amazed at how warm you’ll get during activity so you’ll want to be able to add and remove layers. Wear just one pair of socks as snowboard and ski boots have liners. Bring gloves, hat, sunglasses or goggles. You can rent snow pants, jackets and helmets at Ober Gatlinburg.
  • Take a Lesson – If you’ve never skied or snowboarded before you’re required to take a lesson for your safety and the safety of others. The one-hour Ski Class lesson runs about $19 per person and a private lesson at $60. Ski rentals run $20-$25 per person and snowboard rentals run $20-$25 per person.
  • Lift Tickets – One-day ski area tickets cost between $29 to $65 per person depending on session day and time of ski session. Ober Gatlinburg Season Passes are available for $349 per person.
  • Visit Ober Gatlinburg Slope Report to check current conditions.

For more information on all the fun winter activities and pricing, visit Ober Gatlinburg or call 865-436-5423. Ober Gatlinburg is open daily; hours are subject to change depending on weather conditions. 

AJ Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House December 15-17, 2016 | Once-A-Year Opportunity to Tour 1909 Historic Home

If you love historic homes or if you’re a beautiful bean lover, you’ll certainly want to take the opportunity to travel to Dandridge, TN on December 15, 16 or 17, 2016 for the annual AJ and Sallie Bush Homeplace Holiday Open House. This once-a-year opportunity is your chance to visit this lovely home built in 1909 by the founder of the iconic American brand Bush’s Beans. The Holiday Open House will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day.

During this special time of year, the historic homeplace of AJ & Sallie Bush is beautifully decorated for the holidays and visitors are welcome to take a step back in time and enjoy and old-fashioned Christmas. 

Make plans to visit the Bush’s Visitor Center and enjoy a wonderful home-cooked lunch at Bush’s Family Cafe. While you’re there, take in the special holiday tour of the Bush Homeplace just across the road. You’ll be amazed at the all-American history of Bush’s Beans as your tour the Museum and you’ll love shopping in the family’s original General Store founded in 1897.

HeySmokies Insider Tip: If you’re a foodie, or even if you’re not, you gotta try the Pinto Bean Pie. Seriously, if you like pecan pie, you’ll love this original creation from the kitchen of Bush’s Family Cafe! And for the latest and greatest recipes from Bush’s Beans, be sure to become a fan on Facebook!

For more information, visit Bush’s Visitor Center or call 865-509-3077. Bush’s Visitor Center is open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday during the winter season. Bush’s Family Cafe is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.