Gatlinburg Tennessee is the perfect summer vacation destination, with family-friendly outdoor activities for all ages. Looking to put together an awesome itinerary for your trip? Let us tell you about one of our favorite places to go during summer in the Smokies– Anakeesta, a mountaintop adventure park! Here’s everything you should do this summer at Anakeesta:
1. Play: Thrilling Coasters, Ziplines, and More!
Anakeesta has great activities for thrill seekers, including 2 powerful mountain coasters. The Hellbender is known for its fast speeds and sharp turns. Slither along the track like the salamander the ride is named after. You should also check out Rail Runner! You can ride at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour while experiencing a 400-foot elevation change. The Rail Runner is currently the only single-rail mountain coaster in the United States! If you want to keep the thrill going, you and your travel group can conquer the Dueling Zipline Adventure. Soar above the trees while admiring iconic views of the Smokies. Other fun things to do at Anakeesta include climbing the AnaVista Tower and touring the beautiful gardens, the Treetop Skywalk, shopping, and more!
2. Explore: Kid-Friendly Play Areas & Adventure Courses
If you have little ones in your travel group, they will love coming to Anakeesta this summer! Cool off while getting some energy out at the Splash Pad. It has fun sprinklers that shoot water in the air! Anakeesta also has engaging adventure areas as well. Kids can run along the Treetop Adventure Play Area or the Treeventure Challenge Course. You’ll be happy to know that all these activities are included in Anakeesta’s general admission ticket. If you want to have even more fun, an additional kid-friendly activity here is gem mining. Search for your very own gemstone or fossil around an interactive waterfall!
3. Eat: United Tastes of America
One of the most highly anticipated Anakeesta events, United Tastes of America, is a fun summer festival with live entertainment and great food! You’ll receive a tasting pass that is valid all summer long, so you can come back if you can’t try everything. There are dishes from various states–enjoy a Texas Trail Frito Pie for your main meal and a Sweet Georgia Peach Ice Cream for dessert! As you eat your food, sit back and watch fun singing and dancing. The restaurants at Anakeesta, such as Smokehouse and Clifftop, also serve up seasonal dishes and specials during the summer!
4. Nighttime Experiences: Astra Lumina, Birdventure, & Treetop Skywalk
You can easily spend the majority of the day at Anakeesta, and you’ll definitely want to stay and experience Anakeesta at night! Birdventure has cool night lighting and is a great area for the kids to explore in the early evening, where they can imagine being a bird and enjoy interactive activities. There are also giant serpentine slides! Families love doing the Treetop Skywalk and admiring the views during the day, but it looks magical when the path is lit at night! Both Birdventure and the Treetop Skywalk are included in your general admission ticket! Also, you should check out Astra Lumina. It is a walking path filled with many immersive lights and sounds. You will feel like you are walking among the stars. Keep in mind that this activity is an add-on to your general admission ticket!
Make Anakeesta Part of Your Gatlinburg TN Summer Vacation Plans!
Now you know of things to do at Anakeesta during summer in the Smokies, start planning your visit today! Take advantage of our Anakeesta coupons to save money on tickets!
