Anakeesta is a one-of-a-kind destination located atop a mountain overlooking downtown Gatlinburg. Offering outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and even more fun, Anakeesta has established itself as one of the can’t-miss attractions in the Smokies. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we have put together a convenient guide with everything you need to know about visiting Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN.
Getting to Anakeesta
Curious about how to get to Anakeesta? Due to its unique location, Anakeesta in Gatlinburg Tennessee isn’t accessible by car. Instead, you take a fun Chondola ride from the Parkways to the mountain’s summit. The word “Chondola” is derived from the two ways that guests can make the trip to Anakeesta: the open-air chairlift or the enclosed gondola!
The open-air chairlift can sit up to 4 guests and offers beautiful views of The Strip and the mountains from 600 feet in the air. If you're uneasy about riding the chairlift, you can choose one of the enclosed gondolas, which has room for 6 people.
Things to Do
You can easily spend an entire day exploring Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN! Here is a quick look at the best things to do at Anakeesta:
- TreeVenture Play Area & Challenge Course: a fun children’s playground with treehouses that are connected by bridges.
- BirdVenture: another play zone with obstacles, houses, slides, and more!
- Dueling Ziplines: a 2,600 ft. zipline course where you can race side by side.
- Gem Mining: an attraction where kids can search for gemstones and fossils.
- Treetop Skywalk: a network of 16 connected sky bridges that are 50 – 60 feet above the forest floor.
- Forest Memorial Interpretive Trail: a walking path commemorating the Smoky Mountain wildfires of November 2016.
- Mountain Coasters: the Rail Runner is the nation's only single-rail coaster, and the Hellbender is one of the longest and fastest!
- AnaVista Observation Tower: downtown Gatlinburg's highest point and 360-degree views all the way to Kentucky!
- Astra Lumina: Anakeesta at night transforms into a magical nightwalk among the stars!
There are also several stages for live entertainment, food and drink specials, and more! One of the kids' favorite features during the summer at Anakeesta will definitely be the splash pad at Black Bear Village!
Places to Eat & Shop
When the Chondola arrives at Anakeesta, it lets guests off at Firefly Village, a wonderful shopping and dining area with a treehouse theme. Here are a few places you can visit at Firefly Village: Smokehouse, an incredible Smoky Mountain BBQ restaurant with views overlooking downtown Gatlinburg, Mimi's Creamery, an adorable ice cream shop, Catching Fireflies, a women's clothing boutique, and Willow's Workshop, a toy store the kids will love! Other places you'll want to check out include Smoky Mountain Bearworks, CliffTop Restaurant and Tap House and The Mercantile at Black Bear Village, next to the beautiful Vista Gardens.
Seasonal Events
Like many attractions in the Smokies, Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN puts on several seasonal festivals and fun events throughout the year, including United Tastes of America in the summer, Bear-Varian Fall Festival during the autumn season, and Enchanted Christmas in the winter! No matter when you visit, expect blooming displays during the warmer months and incredible, jaw-dropping holiday decor, from spooky to merry!
FAQs
Is Anakeesta pet-friendly? No, you are not allowed to bring pets to Anakeesta, with the exception of ADA certified service animals.
Can I drive to the top of Anakeesta? While you can't drive to Anakeesta, there is another way to the top besides the Chondola. They also have Ridge Rambler adventure vehicles that can take you up the mountain.
Is Anakeesta wheelchair accessible? Yes, most areas are accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers, including Firefly Village, Black Bear Village, walking paths, and dining areas. The gondola cabins are also big enough for both wheelchairs and strollers for your ride to the top! Astra Lumina, the AnaVista Tower, and the Treetop Skywalk are NOT wheelchair accessible or stroller-friendly.
Ticketets for Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN
Standard general admission includes the Chondola ride and access to all of the fun activities and play areas, including gem mining, the Treetop Skywalk, and the Anavista Tower. There are 3 add-on experiences that are not included and require an additional purchase: the Dueling Zipline, the Coaster Pass, and Atra Lumina.
Now that you know what to expect at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, you just need to get your tickets! Use our coupons for Anakeesta and save on tickets for this amazing adventure park in the Great Smoky Mountains!
