Thanksgiving at Pinehurst a buffet of fun

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

Plan now to celebrate Thanksgiving in the heartland of North Carolina at the world-renowned Pinehurst Resort. This 2,000-acre historic property is preparing for a fun, old-fashioned gathering with activities to please every family member — from spa, golf, wagon rides, to theater and symphony concerts.

The best part is that Pinehurst is offering room rates from $155 per person, per night. The rate, valid on stays from Nov. 22-29, includes daily breakfast, dinner and festive activities. Plus, children ages 12 and under stay, eat and play golf free when with a parent.

The lineup of events includes flag football on the West Lawn on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Also on Wednesday, hotel guests can attend a special Holiday Pops concert at 8 p.m. with the North Carolina Symphony in the Carolina Grand Ballroom (tickets to the public are $32 adult; $8 per child under 18).

On the big day, Thanksgiving, an abundant buffet goes beyond just turkey. Pinehurst's new chef, Thierry Debailleul, adds his own roasted butternut squash bisque, sea-salt crusted prime rib of beef, stuffed pork loin, and North Carolina’s own Snow Hill sweet potatoes. The buffet costs $53 to the public.

Overnight hotel guests can choose to dine with a limited a la carte menu in the 1895 Grille at the Holly Inn from 4-9 p.m. for $37 per person. Call 910-235-8434 for reservations.

Other weekend activities include a family Trim the Tree scavenger hunt, a magic show, historic walking tours and a stage performance of The Good Life, a musical revue and theater production held in the Cardinal Ballroom of the hotel (tickets to the public are $30 adults).

Wagon rides, craft workshops, cookie decorating, tea with live entertainment, movies for the family, and family golf and tennis clinics also are offered to overnight guests.

Guests can also take a self-guided tour of the annual Gingerbread display, the 25 Christmas Trees and holiday displays throughout the hotel (free and open to the public through Christmas).

Widely known as the cradle of American golf, Pinehurst has hosted more golf championships than any other site in America, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches, PGA Tour Championship and many others. It will be the host of back-to-back U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships in 2014.

Visit Pinehurst.com for more, or call 800-487-4653.

Some of the Thanksgiving weekend events suggest advance reservations, whereas other additional activities are offered at a fee. Have a look at the weekend itinerary.

Pinehurst is about 74 miles from Raleigh-Durham (sale airfare rates often offered from $58 one-way). The Charlotte airport is another alternative for a drive of 112 miles. The driving distance from Atlanta is 343 miles.