As part of their 100 year celebrations, the Chattanooga Choo Choo is offering  a Thanksgiving Day Feast in the Grand Dome Lobby  between 11:30am - 3:00pm. A wide variety of choices are on the menu as well as traditional  roast turkey and ham entrees. The six course menu  includes Antipasto; Appetizers and Salads,  Pasta Station,  Carving Board,  Entrees and Vegetables and a Dessert Extravaganza. The dessert menu in particular has a list of mouth watering delights that will certainly merit giving thanks for, they include; Bananas Foster Flambé (sliced bananas, brown sugar, banana liqueur and rum, served over ice cream). Chocolate Gâteau, Homemade Chocolate Cobbler, Apple Betty, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Homemade Pumpkin Pie, Red Velvet Cake, Cheese Cake Supreme, Amaretto Biscotti Torte, Double Layered Carrot Cake, Chocolate Overload Torte, Bourbon Street Pecan Pie, Lemon Berry Cream Cake, Caramel Apple Granny Torte as well as an array of House specialty pastries. Adults $26.00, children 12 and under $13.95. For reservations call 423-308-2481.

The Choo Choo is not the only historical monument in Chattanooga that will be offering a Thanksgiving Day dinner. The legendary retired Delta Queen steamboat docked at Coolidge Park Landing is now a floating hotel but  still very much alive with authentic riverboat entertainment, which includes dinner shows and the wonderful sound of Dixie Land jazz. The Delta Queen's Thanksgiving Day lunch menu served between 11am to 4 will consist of smoked turkey, roast pork in cranberry sauce, carved maple ham, sweet potato casserole, a variety of vegetables and apple or pumpkin pie. Live entertainment will be Banjo Bob playing riverboat songs and holiday favorites. Cost is $24.95 per person, $16.95 for children 12 and under. For reservations and more information call 423-468-4500 or go to www.deltaqueenhotel.com.

Another fun alternative for Thanksgiving Day is to take a cruise along the Tennessee River on the Southern Belle riverboat.  Enjoy a Thanksgiving Day feast of hand carved Smoked Ham, Sage Roasted Turkey Breast, Savory Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole, plus all your favorite trimmings and  traditional desserts. From 12:30 to 3:00pm passengers can dine while being entertained by Dickie Mathews on the keyboard.

Those that think  nautical dining may make them feel a little sea sick can opt for Thanksgiving on the pier at Pier 2 @ the Landing, Southern Belle's new docking facility. The buffet starting at 2:00pm-4:00pm  will be identical to the cruise dinner but on dry land.  Following the feast, diners can take a leisurely cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat from 4p-5p ending the evening with a cup of hot mulled apple cider and Irish creme coffee.

Tickets for both events are $30 adults and $15.25 for children 3-12. For reservations and more information call (423) 266-4488 or go to www.chattanoogariverboat.com.

For a Thanksgiving weekend getaway, a visit to Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina is not only a great opportunity to take a picturesque drive through the mountains, but also offers a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at either the Bistro at the Winery or a buffet at the Deerpark Restaurant. Gate admission and reservations for both restaurants are required. For more information call (828) 225-6230 or go to www.biltmore.com.

For those who prefer a more informal setting closer to home, some local restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day lunch or dinner. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, one of Tennessee's favorite family dining restaurants is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Established in 1969 on Highway 109 in Lebanon, Tennessee the company now operates 591 locations in 41 states.

Cracker Barrel restaurants will be open with their usual "homestyle meals made from scratch in their kitchens" all day Thanksgiving Day from 6:00am to 10:00pm. Included on the menu will be roast turkey, ham,  mashed taters, dressing, and all the good ol'country fixins. For more information call your local Cracker Barrel.

Other local family restaurants open all day Thanksgiving Day for lunch and dinner include the Golden Corral, Ryan's, and Shoney's.

Oliver's of Cleveland, TN will be open for an all you can eat Thanksgiving lunch from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The family style buffet will include turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and all the fixings.

Although often overlooked due to it also being the start of the Christmas season, Thanksgiving Day is part of our American heritage with traditions handed down from generation to generation. Whether spending Thanksgiving alone, with family and friends, or at work, feasting at home or in a restaurant, the important thing is to take time to count your blessings and reflect on all that you are thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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