Want to know if Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is right for you? Read on to find out just who should visit Anakeesta!
Anakeesta is an outdoor themed park located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and was one of the stops on our westward road trip!
When doing my research, I was unsure if it would be enjoyable for us and worth the money. We decided to try it out and were pleasantly surprised – It was a great fit for us. But is it a good activity choice for everyone?
Who Should Visit Anakeesta?
1. The Thrill Seeker who Loves Heights
Anakeesta is a Cherokee word referring to high ground that literally means “the place of the balsams” – it’s located on a mountaintop in the Great Smoky Mountains above the city of Gatlinburg.
Accessing the mountaintop means traveling via open air chondola, enclosed chondola, or a road rambler.
The open air chondola is quite an exhilarating trip! My oldest daughter is a thrill seeker to the fullest and absolutely loved riding an upwards of 60’ above the ground! I, on the other hand, was clenching my little guy’s arm and shutting my eyes the first half of the ride.
The trip isn’t a fast one (the chondolas are slow moving and have to stop periodically to allow passengers entrance and exit out of the enclosed chondolas) – 15-20 minutes to travel 600’ – but being that high off the ground should be pleasing enough for those who love heights!
Anakeesta’s Sky Tower also offers wondrous views of the park and a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic mountain view. The Sky Tower incorporates a glass bottom floor in some areas and sits 60 feet off the ground – it’s the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg!
Looking for some speed and a truly unique mountaintop experience?
Anakeesta boasts the only single rail mountaintop coaster in the U.S. The Rail Runner Mountain Coaster will take you 1,600 feet of twisting and turning up to speeds of 25 mph. My kids absolutely love mountain coasters!
You can also ride single or tandem, as well as control the speed of the coaster. Prices are very reasonable, an added plus.
Dueling Ziplines
The Dueling Zipline Adventure looks like a fantastic way to spend a couple hours at Anakeesta. You’ll truly be up in the trees, way up in the mountains – versus some other ziplines I’ve seen that can’t compete with that same phenomenal height!
We were unable to participate, due to weight restrictions (you must be at least 70 lbs), but the idea is extraordinary – the ziplines are “dueling,” meaning you get to ride side-by-side with another family member or friend!
You’ll ride on three different ziplines with multiple rappels and travel over 2,600’ through the trees.
2. The Nature Lover
Different from the many other parks and activities in the area, Anakeesta is set in the midst of nature’s mountaintop. We arrived late spring and the flowers were in glorious bloom.
We were surrounded by trees and hills in every direction, got a few glimpses of chipmunks in the vicinity (there have even been sightings of a baby bear cub climbing the trees further down the mountain), and had an incredible view of the Smoky Mountains every direction we looked.
3. Active, Outdoor Kids
Got kids who love the running around in the outdoors? Anakeesta is a fantastic option for them to burn some energy!
If it’s a hot day, like it was when we went, the kids have the option of going in the Splash Pad, located in Black Bear Village. It’s a delightful area with a small waterfall and sprays for the kids to run through.
Directly past Black Bear Village, you’ll enter Forest Adventure. On the left, you’ll come across the Gem Mining Co where kids can seek for little gem treasures (for an added fee), followed by the TreeHouse Village Adventure.
This whimsical village connects quaint treehouses via wooden bridges and gives ample opportunity for kiddos to run through and explore, climbing up into some of the houses.
Following the treehouses is the entrance to TreeTop Skywalk, further down on the left.
TreeTop Skywalk is the longest tree-based skybridge in North America! Suspended 50-60’ in the air, you’ll find yourself immersed in this 880’ long canopy of bridge after bridge.
Look up and you’ll catch zipliners soaring overhead. You can stroll along or – as my kids did – run gleefully down those long bridges!
Right at the back, you’ll discover Bearventure and Treeventure.
Bearventure is a series of different obstacle-type planks that lead to Treeventure, a conglomeration of adorable treehouses connected to each other by challenging netted bridges and a slide for double the levels.
Just FYI, the planks and bridges may prove difficult for little ones under five, so they may need some assistance from you.
Both areas were highly loved by my kiddos!
4. Those Who Delight in Aesthetic Beauty
Outdoor food isn’t allowed at Anakeesta, but they’ve got some great dining options. For the most spectacular view of the mountains while you dine, head into the Smokehouse, located directly on the right as soon as you exit the chondolas.
The Smokehouse offers pulled pork, turkey, and brisket that’s been smoked for 16 hours – it was melt in your mouth delicious! They offer roof-covered seating, as well as seating that overlooks the surrounding mountain range, including Mt. LeConte – truly gorgeous!
Vista Gardens is awash with cascading color and brilliant beauty over gently sloping hills. Gentle waterfalls abound as you walk the path up to the SkyTower. Every aspect in each detailed section oozes excellence.
The area is decorated in a painter’s palette; bright flowers rush out of carefully placed, oversized paint tubes – such a fun theme!
5. Those Who Revel in Trying Something Different
Gatlinurg is filled with an overbundance of tourist-y choices, but I couldn’t find anything quite like Anakeesta. And where else can you meet and pose with the Willow Man?
6. Those Who Want to Avoid Tacky Commercialism
Drive through the streets of Gatlinburg or nearby Pigeon Forge, and you’ll be greeted with billboard after gaudy sign after neon lights screaming your name. Some of these places offer an experience worth your money; others, not so much.
It’s easy to get tired of another pricey place filled with bright, plastic blowup structures or a smorgasboard of carnival-like activities.
For a breath of fresh air, lovely surroundings, and a more natural, nature immersive experience, you’ll enjoy Anakeesta much more.
If you fit into one or more of these categories, give Anakeesta a try –
you won’t regret it!
Have you been somewhere recently in nature that’s been a true delight? I love stories and am always looking for new places for a family adventure! Feel free to share in the comments below or send me a message! 🙂
Anakeesta map:
For more info, head on over to the Anakeesta website.
My Can’t-Do-Without Travel Products
If you’re taking a trip this year, here are some of my favorite products I always take with me! These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use one of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in honesty, these are the exact products I use and recommend to everyone, even my own friends and family 😊…
~ Compression Packing Cubes – If you’ve never heard of these, do yourself a favor and take a look! These cubes compress and hold your clothes, leaving room for other items in your bag or suitcase. If you love being organized, you’ll love these as they fit nicely and keep everything neat and orderly. The reason I love this particular brand is because they have a card slot on each cube where you can write what’s inside (instead of having to guess every time or try to peer through muddled mesh). In all my research, these are the only cubes I’ve found that have these labels – they’re a game changer and a head above other compression cubes. Several colors to choose from!
~ Honey House Naturals Bee Bar Lotion – This was a lifesaver out in the dry Arizona heat that almost killed my skin! Easy to pop in your purse, they come in both travel size and full size. Amazon even has a value pack where you can get one of each. Hawaiian scent is amazing and my favorite by far. I picked up a travel size in a gift shop in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park and just about cried for joy. My son gifted the full size to me for Christmas and I use it year round now!
~ Crocs Women’s Swiftwater Sandals – These are my everything shoes in the summer. No, they’re not the clunky Crocs that you’re used to seeing. These are cute and feminine and so comfortable they pass the day-long amusement park test. I always make sure to pack them when I know there will be warm weather days. There are many different color options – we always have at least 2 pairs in our house!
