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anakeesta in gatlinburg tn

Your Ultimate Guide to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg: Everything You Need to Know

Feb 02, 2023

For a magical outdoor experience in the mountains, plan a visit to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN! This unique theme park offers great adventures for the whole family. To help guarantee you have the best time when you visit, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN:

About Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN

view at anakeestaAnakeesta is not your average Gatlinburg attraction. It’s located on the top of a mountain in downtown Gatlinburg and is a place where you will be inspired by nature, can enjoy time with family and friends, and discover the magic in the mountains. Before Anakeesta was built, its vision was to provide a family-oriented mountaintop experience with a promise to maintain the authenticity, heritage and beauty of the land — and it has done just that.

What to Do

There is something for everyone to enjoy at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, from the thrill-seekers to those who just want to kick back and relax. Here are some of the top things to do when you visit:

Scenic Chondola

The scenic Chondola is your ticket to the magical theme park. You can choose to ride in an open-air chair or an enclosed gondola that seats 6. You will ride 600 feet up to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain while admiring stunning views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies. If you don’t want to ride the chondola or are afraid of heights, don’t worry! You can ride in a Ridge Rambler, an adventure vehicle that winds its way to the top of the mountain!

Dueling Zipline

anakeesta ziplineThe Dueling Zipline Adventure lets you zip side-by-side with the person of your choice as you soar through the treetops on lines that stretch high above the forest floor. There are 3 ziplines, 2 rappels more than 50 feet high, and gorgeous views.

Treetop Skywalk

At the Anakeesta Treetop Skywalk, you will stroll 40 to 60 feet above ground across 16 connected sky bridges. Each bridge leads to a different observation platform where you can take in the scenery!

Rail Runner Mountain Coaster

The Rail Runner Mountain Coaster is the first single-rail mountain coaster of its kind in the United States! Riders will fly down the mountain with 1,600 feet of downhill twists and turns, going speeds of up to 25 miles per hour! You’ll be able to choose your own speed, so you can decide whether you want to take it slow or go for the ultimate thrill with a 400 ft elevation change. After the ride downhill, you’ll be able to enjoy a scenic uphill ride back to the top of Anakeesta Mountain.

If you love this coaster, be sure to check out these other mountain coasters in Pigeon Forge!

Shopping and Dining

Firefly Village and Black Bear Village both offer a unique shopping and dining experience for visitors. You can purchase a variety of Appalachian arts and crafts made by local artisans at Great Outdoors Trading Company, then grab a bite to eat at Smokehouse! For dinner with a view, dine at Cliff Top, which has everything from burgers to salads, then grab a drink at The Bar at the Top of the World as you watch the sunset. Other shops and eateries are Kephart Cafe, Tap House, Pearl’s Pie in the Sky, Snack Shack, The Watering Can, and The Mercantile!

Children’s Treehouse Village Playground

anakeesta village playgroundIf you have kids, they will love getting the chance to explore the Children’s Treehouse Village Playground! The playground features both physical and educational elements that are designed to build strength and confidence. There is a log walk, a plank walk to a maze, a climbing adventure, and more!

Enjoy the View

Anakeesta is the perfect place to relax and unwind while admiring the stunning scenery! Take a stroll through Vista Gardens, a peaceful walk past a cascading stream and through lush gardens, then grab a seat in one of the rocking chairs around the firepit, one of the best spots to watch the sunset. Plus, you can’t leave without climbing to the top of the AnaVista Tower, which offers 360-degree views from the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg!

More Adventures at Anakeesta TN

These are just some of the many things to do at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, but it’s nowhere near where all the excitement ends! The adventure park includes fun events throughout the year, from seasonal themes like their Enchanted Winter Celebration or Hallow Mountain, to live musical performances and visits from Sasquatch! It’s also home to Astra Lumina, an enchanted nighttime experience that’s the first of its kind in the United States. Other things to do at the park include enjoy the splash pad in the summer months, go gem mining, or enjoy the TreeVenture Challenge Course!

In spring and summer of 2023, the park is unveiling parts of its largest expansion yet, including its first double-rail coaster, Hellbender. This new mountain coaster will provide guests with an exhilarating downhill adventure and be the second mountain coaster at the park. Also coming in the summer of 2023 is BirdVenture, an aviary-inspired adventure with larger-than-life birdhouses, a dozen interactive adventure zones, and 7 slides winging more than 50 feet down the mountain! The expansion will also include a new retail shop on the Parkway and another shop, Elk Exchange, that will be located alongside the new mountain coaster.

Anakeesta Hours

Anakeesta is open year-round, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Smokies during every season. The days and hours vary throughout the year depending on the season, so be sure to check the operating calendar to see what time it’s open during your vacation! The park is open both rain and shine, and the activities continue to operate during inclement weather; however, if there are dangerous winds, lightning or other serious weather events, the park may close.

Where to Stay Near Anakeesta TN

leconte viewWhen you visit Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, there is no better place to stay than Parkside Cabin Rentals. We have a variety of cabins available to accommodate every type of guest. There are 1 bedroom cabins for couples, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins for families, and large cabins for groups! All of our cabins come with everything you need and more for a fantastic stay. After a long and exciting day at Anakeesta, you will love coming back to your cabin and soaking in the bubbling hot tub before getting a good night’s rest. We even have cabins with their own entertainment, like game rooms and large flat-screen TVs! To make your stay more affordable, check out our cabin specials to see how you can save.

Now that you know everything there is to know about Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, it’s time to plan your visit! Browse all our Gatlinburg cabins and book your stay today.