5 Top Reasons to Visit Anakeesta

If you want beautiful Smoky Mountain views without the hike, while shopping, eating, playing and exploring, Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is the place to go! Anakeesta is a Cherokee word referring to high ground and the 70 acres of Anakeesta are definitely some of the highest ground in the Smoky Mountains. There is so much to do and see high above Gatlinburg at Anakeesta and here are the 5 top reasons to visit!

1. The Chondola and the Ridge Rambler at Anakeesta

Getting up the mountain is half the fun! The Chondola ride is the first thing you see at Anakeesta. The Chondola Base Station is in downtown Gatlinburg. At the base station, riders can choose between the 4 person chairlift or the 6 person enclosed gondola cabin. The ride up or down takes about 20-30 minutes.

Starting in late Summer 2019, visitors can also choose to ride up or down Anakeesta Mountain in the Ridge Rambler. At no extra cost, your ascent will begin by boarding our new adventure trucks at the Chondola base station , then enjoy the ride along a forested path to the summit. Your journey will feature an audio tour, where a guide will share fun facts about the unique history, animals, forest, and plant life of the Great Smoky Mountains. Bring your camera for the perfect vacation memory you’ll want toshare with everyone! These trucks are a whopping 17 TONS OF FUN! They will hold 45 passengers andare 35 feet long, and nearly 14 feet tall!

Once at the top, visitors arrive in the whimsical Firefly Village and the mountain-top of fun awaits! I have had a chance to ride the 4 person chair lift and the Ridge Rambler. I highly suggest you try them both out on your trip to Anakeesta!

2. The Tree Canopy Walk

I loved this! The Tree Canopy Walk is a fun family adventure that is included in the cost of the Anakeesta ticket. In the Tree Canopy Walk visitors will stroll among the treetops on a series of 16 hanging bridges more than 40 feet in the air! It truly feels like you are deep in the Smoky Mountain Forests! I’ve been told that bears can often be spotted in the woods below the Tree Canopy Walk! It’s also a great place to see birds!

3. Scenic Dining

There are several places for visitors to dine on Anakeesta Mountain. Cliff Top Bar and Grill is a covered restaurant with spectacular views, located in Firefly Village. This restaurant is covered and open air in the warmer months and has glassed walls that can be utilized when the weather is cooler, but won’t spoil the view. Currently there is also a beer garden with a beer truck and Smokehouse BBQ food truck. This is open air picnic table seating. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Pearl’s Pie in the Sky featuring Bluebell ice cream. A new restaurant is also in the plans for the next phase of expansion!

4. Vista Gardens and Memorial Forest Walk

The Vista Gardens is located at the summit of Anakeesta Mountain. Here you can meander through lush gardens, past a cascading stream, a children’s play area, a gnome village and more. There is even a pergola where you can sit, rest and enjoy the view. It is simply beautiful and really embodies the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Memorial Forest Walk is an Interpretive Trail that serves as a memorial of the devastating wildfires that blew through Gatlinburg in November, 2016. The south side of Anakeesta Mountain was badly burned and this is the area this memorial is located.

5. Sit, Relax and Enjoy

There are so many places to sit and enjoy all everything Anakeesta Mountain offers. Warm up around the fire pit on a cool night. Sit in an Adirondack chair and take in the sweeping views. Claim a rocker to overlook the forest and watch the zip-liners start their trek through the trees. Or find a spot to watch the sunset, listen to music or even a storyteller or two.

This is not all that Anakeesta has to offer! It is just some of my favorite things included in the cost of the ticket. Also included in your ticket price is exploring the shopping in Firefly Village and The Tree House Village Playground! If you are an adrenaline junky you can zip line or ride a mountain coaster for an extra fee! The best part is your ticket is good all day! Visit during the day and then come back for sunset! I highly recommend a trip to Anakeesta if you are in Gatlinburg! It’s a beautiful and fun filled spot to make memories with your family!

Anakeesta just recently announced that they are expanding! They have so many more family friendly adventures planned for their mountain. You can read more about that here. To begin to plan your day at Anakeesta or to learn even more go to their website.