Inside Gatlinburg TN – Gatlinburg Coupons, Gatlinburg Lodging, Vacation Guides

When you hear about snow fall records being broken on places like Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, most people are going to do a double take, followed by question like: “How much snow was it?”

In all, park officials and the National Weather Service reported that Mount LeConte saw 32 inches of snow as a result of  Superstorm Sandy that hit the east coast extremely hard that week. Now, 32 inches marks a new October record for Mount LeConte, and it’s quite a jump from the previous one which was a mere 6, set in 2010.

It was also reported that Mount LeConte saw drifts as deep as 7 feet.

Now, snow this time of year, and especially in the Great Smoky Mountains, is not uncommon. Many of the area’s highest elevations see snow as early as September. It’s the sheer amount that makes this such a month to remember.

It was also said that LeConte Lodge steered clear of any problems due to the snowfall. LeConte Lodge is the highest guest lodge in the eastern U.S. and there were at least 15 hikers who spent that Monday night at the lodge. Each person was given an extra night stay for free to encourage them not to brave the snow in order to reach their cars.

The attractions may come and go, seasons will change, and restaurants will open and close, but there’s one thing that stays pretty consistent around here: people want to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They want to experience it, write about it, take pictures, video it, and let others know what great natural attraction it truly is.

How do we know this you ask? It’s all in the numbers. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park showed a nearly 9 percent increase in visitors this year to date. And just as the busy fall foliage season winds to a close, the even busier holiday shopping season gets its wheels turning.

The National Park Service released its figures recently showing that 963,317 people visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park  in September. This amounts to a 9.2 percent increase over September 2011’s numbers. Will it continue into the holiday season? Most remain optimistic that a busy fall will lead to a just as busy winter with the number of area events, shopping opportunities, and seasonal attractions like Ober Gatlinburg opening even earlier this year.

Looking at the trends, through the first nine months of 2012, visits to the park were up 8.9 percent. That’s 602,000 more people that came to the Smokies this year than in the first three quarters of 2011.

Meanwhile, September is traditionally considered a transitional month that usually sees a dip in national park visits between Labor Day and the beginning of the fall color season in October.

Related links: Take a look at Ober Gatlinburg’s plan for an earlier opening thanks to new snow-making equipment.

Some of the most popular attractions in Gatlinburg will be offering reduced admission this week with the donation of canned foods. All the Ripley’s Gatlinburg attractions as well as the Gatlinburg Sky Lift will be joining in as they celebrate Sevier, Cocke, and Jefferson County Week, November 4-8.

If you’re a resident of Sevier, Cocke, or Jefferson County, you’ll receive $3 off admission to any Ripley’s attraction as well as the Gatlinburg Sky Lift with any canned food donation. All donations will go to benefit the Sevier County Food Ministeries.

So what should you bring? Regular sized cans of food including canned fruit, meats, vegetables, jelly, and baby food.

Stipulations are that people bringing canned goods must live or work in Sevier, Cocke, or Jefferson County to receive the discounted admission. Please bring photo identification as well as proof of residency – a paycheck stub or utility bill.

All attractions are located on the Parkway in Gatlinburg and include Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s World Records Museum, and the Gatlinburg Sky Lift.

Additional information can be obtained by call 1-888-240-1348 or by going to www.ripleysgatlinburg.com.

Gatlinburg recently gave itself a makeover and the results are eye-popping. What’s being alluded to is Phase VI of the Underground Utilities and Streetscape Project which recently completed, thus burying all utility lines in the downtown Gatlinburg area. What were some travel inconveniences are now looking well worth it.

From the Gatlinburg Convention Center to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary, what you’ll see are some aesthetic upgrades to the Parkway – new streetlights, sidewalks, and all lacking the clutter of utility lines and utility poles.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the business community on the South end of town as well as our residents and visitors,” said Cindy Cameron Ogle, Gatlinburg city manager. “It has been a long, challenging undertaking which has required some sacrifices, a good bit of tolerance and a lot of faith, but I believe everyone can agree that the change in the look and feel of the entire project area is quite dramatic.”

It’s a construction process that began in mid-August 2011 and ran 1,850 feet in length through downtown. It was a rather expansive process that included the construction of underground duct banks to house electrical, telephone and cable lines running both sides of Parkway. The project also called for sewer and water improvements.

The Parkway and Leconte Street steel bridge replacement was one of the more challenging aspects of Phase VI. Part of it also included widening the turning radius from Parkway to Leconte Street.

Those of you who will be coming to Gatlinburg this fall will notice new street lighting, trash receptacles, benches, and signage. Sidewalks have been added and planters have been strategically placed to accommodate seasonal plantings and small trees.

Including design engineering and construction costs of Phase VI, which totaled $7.8 million, both the city and the business community have now invested approximately $24 million in the Underground Utilities and Streetscape Project. This dates back to the late 1990s with the development of the original master plan and the Riverwalk/Ripley’s Aquarium area.

The Underground Utilities and Streetscape Project was a joint effort of the City, the design firm Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc., the contractor Efficient Electric, and local utilities involved in the undertaking.

Property owners in the Phase VI area will be assessed 20 percent of the cost, approximately $1.52 million, which may be paid over a 15 year timeframe or on a lump-sum basis.