Ultimate Guide to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN
Opened in 2017, Anakeesta is one of the Smoky Mountains most visited attractions. The 70-acre mountaintop adventure park has so many different activities the whole family will love! While you enjoy all there is to do at the park, you will also be treated to some amazing views of the Smokies. Here is the ultimate guide to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN:
Amazing Activities
When you visit Anakeesta, there are enough things to do to spend the whole day exploring. The fun will begin with the scenic Chondola ride to the top of Anakeesta Mountain. This is the world’s only fixed grip Chondola where guests can choose to either ride in an open-air four person chair or in an enclosed gondola cabin with room for 6 people. As you enjoy the ride, you will be surrounded by beautiful views of the city of Gatlinburg.
Once you find yourself at the peak of the summit, you will have the choice of many great family activities. One of the most popular things to do at Anakeesta is take a trip to the top of the Anavista Observation Tower. As downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point, just imagine the amazing scenery you can experience. There are signs at the top of the tower that will help you to identify all the mountain ranges you can see. Also, there are two glass panel floors, which allows guests to peer down to the Vista Gardens down below them!
After visiting the Anavista Observation Tower, take a trip over to the Treetop Skywalk. This is where you can walk across 880 feet of spectacular hanging bridges that suspend you 50 feet in the air! As you make your way through the treetops, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, including woodpeckers hanging out in the trees.
If you have a thrill for adventure, you will definitely want to test out the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. This single-rail coaster will send you flying down the mountain at speeds up to 25 miles per hour! However, if you want to go a little slower, you have that right. With this attraction, you can control the speed at which you ride through the 400-foot change in elevation!
Delicious Dining
After a long day of exploring all there is to do at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, you will be sure to work up an appetite. Instead of battling crowds at the nearby restaurants, you can take advantage of the amazing dining options at the park. At Cliff Top, guests can enjoy American cuisine with a great view of the Smoky Mountains. They offer a variety of different burgers, steaks, salads, and so much more! For the perfect complement to your meal, be sure to try one of the local craft beers!
If you want something more unique, take a trip to the Firefly Village and eat at the Smokehouse. They serve in-house smoked meats, ranging from pulled pork to brisket. The smoky and juicy flavor of all the meats makes this one of the best dining options in the park.
For the best drink options, be sure to visit The Bar at the Top of the World! This spacious bar is located adjacent to the Smokehouse and is where you can find some great drinks in a one-of-a-kind setting. It is completely outdoors so you can relax with a drink in your hand while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains!
Spectacular Shopping
After all the fun you have while at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, you will want a souvenir to capture the memories. At Catching Fireflies, you can look through beautiful jewelry, elegant candles, and fantastic home goods. They also have a large boutique inside the store that features beautiful clothes and children’s toys.
If you aren’t quite sure what kind of souvenir you want, take a trip to the versatile Mercantile Shop. As Anakeesta’s version of a general store, you can find just about anything you can imagine. From amazing house decor to fun and exciting games and everything in between, you are bound to find something you love.
Anytime you go on vacation, the ultimate souvenir you can take back home is pictures of you and your family having a blast! With Smiles at Anakeesta, you can take home professionally made photographs of your family. They have photographers all around the park snapping pictures! Once you purchase your photos, you can download digital copies to your phone so you can easily show them to all your friends and family back home!
Now that you have the complete guide to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg TN, be sure to check out all of the other amazing attractions in the area! The Smoky Mountains are full of some of the most spectacular activities for your whole family!
