I recently had the opportunity to visit Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and I had a blast! In this blog post, I’m going to share my experience with you and give you some tips for planning your own visit.
It really holds a special place in our heart, because that is where my husband proposed to me in the spring of 2019, when it was brand new! It has grown so much since then, and we have been back 3 times since!
Is Anakeesta worth the visit?
Glad you asked! I absolutely think so. Anakeesta is an award-winning theme park/tourist attraction within Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It sits at the highest point of the town (Stealing the spotlight from the Space Needle!)
You can purchase a ticket before arriving and take the scenic Chondola ride up the mountain, ride the skylift, or use the Ridge Rambler. The Chondola is an enclosed gondola cabin that seats up to 6 people, the chair skylift seats 4, and the Ridge Rambler is a large multi-passenger truck.
How much is a visit to Anakeesta?
The general admission includes all day access to the park and major features including:
- Unlimited Chondola and Ridge Rambler rides
- Anavista Observation Tower
- Treetop Skywalk
- Vista Gardens
- TreeVenture Challenge Course
- Treehouse Adventure Play Area
- BearVenture Challenge Course
The ticket prices for Anakeesta are:
General Tickets: Adults (13+): $39.95 | Children (4-12): $29.95 | Seniors (65+): $34.95 | Children (3 and under): Free
Rail Runner add on: Single Rider: $14.99 | Tandem Rider: $18.99
Astra Lumina add on: Add-On Price: $15.99
Zip Line add on: Add-On Price: $59.99
Annual Tickets: Adult (Ages 12-59): $69.99 | Children (Ages 4-11): $57.99 | Seniors (Ages 60+): $62.99
Anakeesta allows many ways for visitors to save money. You can find these discounts year-round:
- 10% AAA Discount
- 10% Active or Retired Military Discount for ID Holder and Immediate Family
- 20% Sevier County Locals Discount
Things to Do while visiting:
The Anakeesta Rail Runner: A single-rail mountain coaster that takes you through the woods at speeds up to 25 mph. *Tandem riders are for riders 7 and under only. (They know this age from the waiver you have to fill out.) Also, if you like the Rail Runner you can ride again for half price.*
The Firefly Village: A whimsical village with shops, restaurants, and a playground.
Dueling Zip Lines: The Dueling Ziplines are a three-zipline course that takes you through the treetops at speeds of up to 50 mph. The ziplines are located on two parallel cables, so you can race your friends or family members. The course is open to guests ages 7 and up who weigh between 70 and 270 pounds. *Reservations are required for this adventure*
The Treetop Skywalk: It is the longest tree-based skywalk in North America, with 16 bridges spanning 880 feet. The bridges are suspended from the trees and sway as you walk across them, giving you a thrilling experience. The Treetop Skywalk is open to guests ages 7 and up who weigh between 70 and 270 pounds. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling the Anakeesta ticket office.
Astra Lumina: This is an immersive nighttime walk experience located at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is a one-of-a-kind experience that takes you on a journey through a forest of light and sound. The experience is created by Moment Factory, a Montreal-based multimedia studio that has created similar experiences around the world. Astra Lumina at Anakeesta is the 15th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series- with only 2 here in the United States! The walk takes about 45 minutes to complete and takes you through 8 different zones, each with its own unique theme. You’ll see giant illuminated trees, glowing orbs, and other magical sights. You’ll also hear music and sound effects that will transport you to another world! *Reservations are required for this attraction*
Vista Gardens: Vista Gardens is a botanical garden located at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is home to over 3,000 plants, flowers, and sculptures!
Bearventure/ Treeventure Challenge Course: The Bearventure Challenge Course is designed for younger children and families. It features a series of bridges, nets, and platforms that are suspended from the trees. The course is 1.5 miles long and has 47 elements.
The Treeventure Challenge Course is designed for older children and adults. It features more challenging elements, such as ziplines, rope swings, and suspended bridges. The course is 2 miles long and has 67 elements.
What to Eat:
Here are the restaurants you will find at Anakeesta:
- Cliff Top
- Serves American cuisine
- Smokehouse
- BBQ of pulled pork, chicken, and brisket
- Kephart Cafe
- Quick bites. (Hot dogs and flatbread pizza.)
- The Tap House
- Enjoy local craft beers
- Pearl’s Pie In The Sky
- Homemade fried pies, cookies, brownies, ice cream, and sundaes
- Snack Shack
- Variety of funnel fries or the new donut bitea
- The Watering Can
- Grab a garden salad or wrap along with a glass of Bill’s lemonade
- Tennssee Sidecar
- Authentic Tennessee walking tacos
Final Thoughts:
Top Tips:
- You can leave and come back as many times as you wish. I recommend going early, then coming back in the evening to see it all lit up!
- You can skip the lines with an Express Pass. The lines at Anakeesta can be very long, so buying tickets online ahead of time can save you from the hassle of waiting minutes or hours.
- Parking. Yikes! Anakeesta does not have its own parking lot on the parkway, which means you will have to utilize public parking. There are many parking lots around Gatlinburg, ranging from $10-20. The best spots are on River road across the street! With any luck, a free spot along the street might open up- but there are very few! There is also a free trolley system in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Read more on the Gatlinburg Trolley here.
- My absolute favorite time of the year to go is in the fall. The temps are much better, it is decorated SO cute, and of course the gorgeous changing leaves all across the mountains!
I really hope you consider visiting Anakeesta- it truly is fun for the whole family. For more information on Gatlinburg and the neighboring town of Pigeon Forge, check out this blog post!
