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Gatlinburg, TN

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Anakeesta

3.6 (1k reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated a few days ago

Anakeesta Photos

Recommended Reviews - Anakeesta

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Reviews With Photos

Kim N.

Anakeesta was one of the highlights of our trip. We went in the evening, and it was the perfect time to visit. The chairlift wasn't hot like some reviews mentioned it has plenty of fresh air, moves quickly, and we never waited long. The 360° observation tower offers breathtaking views and is a must-do. I skipped the Firefly experience because the line barely moved near closing, and after hearing it took about 35 min wait , I don't feel like we missed much as my son said he didn't see any fireflies This place is magical for little ones. Our toddler had an absolute blast exploring and playing. For older kids, there aren't as many attractions, but the views alone make it worth a visit. Pro tip: Buy the Dollywood + Anakeesta combo through Tripster. We paid about $20 per ticket instead of around $40, plus $20 parking. Beautiful views, friendly staff, and a relaxing atmospherewe'd definitely come back.

Skywalk view
Mar O.

If you have young kids - then this place is magical. A must go to for families. However, if you're an older couple with no kids at home - definitely pass. It's really expensive for what's being offered for adults.

Anthony L.

Sometimes you do something you know better than to do anyway. Anakeesta sits high above Gatlinburg, perched on a mountain with views that'll make you forget your blood pressure for a few minutes. The scenery is spectacular. The light show? Flat-out phenomenal. If this review were based on the views alone, we'd already be talking five stars. Then we tried to eat. Happy hour started at Cliff Top with two Palomas and an order of fried green tomatoes. Twenty minutes later, the food runner proudly delivered...fried pickles. Wrong order. Back they went. A kitchen employee returned to tell the bartender they were out of green tomatoes and assured us the pickles were good. I'm sure they were, but I didn't order them. We settled on the pimento cheese spread instead. To their credit, they added extra vegetables and toast without any fuss. It wasn't great, but it was a fair recovery. A couple of hours later, hunger got the better of us, so we wandered over to the BBQ joint. They had Duke's, so hope sprang eternal. I ordered pulled pork. Out. Switched to brisket. Also out. That left the ribs, which tasted like they'd been rushed through the smoker and reheated before landing on the plate. The baked beans, however, deserved a standing ovation. They were the undisputed MVP of the meal. The biggest head-scratcher? Waiting nearly twenty minutes for two draft lagers from the bar. Son, in the South, making a man wait that long for a cold beer borders on a misdemeanor. As we were leaving, the bride ducked into the restroom and discovered that five of the six stalls were out of toilet paper. Come on, folks. After dropping nearly two hundred dollars, I shouldn't have to wonder if I needed to pack my own roll like it was the height of the COVID shortage. Here's the thing: Anakeesta is absolutely worth visiting. The mountaintop views, attractions, and nighttime light show are first class. But the food and beverage operation feels like it's trying to keep up with the crowds instead of getting ahead of them. A little more attention to inventory, service, and the basics would go a long way. Go for the mountain. Stay for the lights. Just don't arrive hungry...and maybe throw a travel-size roll of toilet paper in your backpack

Closed
Jessica M.

We paid to come up and then after $150 for our family realized that the sky walk was closed. Many bridges and things were also closed. I was disappointed we weren't informed of this before purchasing. Our dinner at Clifftop restaurant was sub-par. I'm leaving this review at 4 stars since I know many people rave about the sky walk (we weren't able to see this so I'm unsure) and the kids play area was super fun. My kids could have played for hours. It's multiple levels and really large. I felt that staff could have been more present in the children's area though. They were just hanging out and talking and not helping to keep the slide area safe. While we were there a parent lost her child and no staff was present anywhere. That was discouraging. It's beautiful here. So many beautiful views. Entertainment, and lots of nice places to sit and relax. We even had a chance to see a black bear.

Bar area
Talgat T.

Anakeesta is one of my favorite places to visit in Tennessee! The views are absolutely beautiful, and there's so much to do for the whole family. The mountain scenery, rides, attractions, and overall atmosphere make it a great place to spend the day. Everything feels like a fun adventure, especially when you take the chairlift up and enjoy the views of the Smoky Mountains. Definitely a place I would recommend visiting if you're in the Gatlinburg area. It's a great experience for both kids and adults!

Promising
Rio R.

Just steps from The Greystone Lodge on the River, Anakeesta's Enchanted Christmas truly lives up to its name. We braved the cold and took the ski lift up the mountain, (another option is to take the tram through the winding road up and down the hill when you get back) and it was absolutely worth it. The entire area was beautifully lit and full of holiday magic. We also purchased tickets for Astra Lumina, the immersive lights-and-sound walking experience--and it was the highlight of our visit. It felt like stepping into another world, and we didn't even realize how muck walking we'd done because we were so captivated. I only wish it were longer! Despite the lines, everything felt well organized. At the top, there's plenty of places to eat, cozy fire pits and heaters, hot cocoa, souvenir shops, and festive holiday decor. There's something for everyone--kids, families, and couples alike. The staff were warm, friendly, and consistently helpful, which made the experience even better. The only downside was the food pricing--considering the admission and extra ticket costs, more affordable options would be appreciated. Overall, Anakeesta is well worth the visit. We'd love to return in spring or fall to experience the greenery or colorful foliage--it must be just as spectacular.

Astro Lumina
Elaina M.

I have been wanting to go here for quite some time. The skywalk alone is worth a trip. Even though the park was slightly packed, we did not encounter any trouble getting through the skywalk or any of the attractions that were included in the park Price. We did not do the coasters. But we did add on the Astro Lumina. Do I think it was worth $20 more a person? No. But do I think it was really really cool? Yes! We enjoyed our visit very much.

Top of the mountain
Linds O.

We decided to take a trip up one of the mountains in Gatlinburg. There are several options, as far as different companies, to take a chair lift or gondola up one of the mountains, and each go to their own different mountain. And at the top of each the company that owns them has their little attractions area. I had searched online, but was not able to find much about Anakeesta being ADA friendly. After having visited, I can assure you it is not very ADA friendly at all. For reference point for any longer period of walking I need a walker, but I can go short distances with a cane. The "crystal" gondolas (basically meaning all glass except the roof) can hold up to six people. While you can board the gondolas with a walker or stroller, it will be a tight fit, but it is accomplishable. Otherwise access to the mountain is through a bus kind of situation. Once at the top of the mountain activities are limited if you are using a walker or wheelchair or have children in a stroller. The tree top walk has stairs at many points and while you may be able to switch to a cane, it is a very long course and you will likely not have the energy to complete it if you really rely on a wheelchair or walker. The overlook tower is only stairs. Thankfully, there are some decent places where you can sit and at least enjoy the view while your party goes and does all the different activities. However, I feel that for the inaccessibility, they should offer a discounted ticket for disabled as you're not going to be able to use any of the activities. That being said it is a pretty view but you'll pay a lot just for that view and there are equally great views at many unpaid or cheaper attractions.

The view
Madalyn S.

We last minute decided to buy tickets! It was work it for the views alone! When you get up it can get pretty pricey with all of the add ons! Cool experience and it looked like they were adding more!

Anakeesta Fall
Clinton W.

This place was a last minute grab on our trip and boy did it hit well! We did purchase the Astra Lumina add on and definitely a must! We arrived when they opened and rode the trucks up as the lines were significantly shorter. Waited maybe 20 minutes. Got to the top and immediately purchased the BOGO free souvenir cup with unlimited refills. Treetop Skywalk was pretty cool to walk across. The kids loved it. Could see quite a bit out but mostly intrigued to walk the rope bridges from tree to tree. The Anakeesta Tower is where the views come in. With the 2 glass floor rows that give the kids a little excitement while the adults get to take in the views. There are also 2 play areas (wooden bridges) and (birdhouses) for the kids to get a little energy out. From the jump net to the slides the kids of all ages will have fun. Just remember to be mindful of all the kids trying to enjoy it. There are a fair amount of shops to look at while up there for those souvenirs needed to take home. A few food vendors as well as the restaurant that smelled amazing and fairly priced. The Astra Lumina we came back for and spent roughly 1-1.5 hours walking through watching the light shows. It was just something you have to see to understand. At the end rode the chairlift back down and the few of the city at night was a great way to finish the already amazing day!

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Anakeesta Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Anakeesta

Are they open year round?? Looking to go early October?

Yes they are open in October and you can go to their website to check the hours of operation for each day.

Do you have to ask to get one of the enclosed rides to the top? Or do you just have to see what you get?

The line splits at towards the end so you can pick! Keep in mind that there are only 2 cabins every 26 chairs (8 total) so be prepared to wait. There's also the ridge rambler which is faster.

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Review Highlights - Anakeesta

“We spent at least 2 1/2 hours roaming and sitting enjoying the garden and Mountain View's from Vista Gardens inside of the park.”

Mentioned in 13 reviews

Read more highlights

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - Penguins were awesome!!

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

4.2(964 reviews)
0.2 mi

This was on our short list for our trip, based on our visit decades ago, and it did not disappoint…read more This time we came with our own kids, and they just had a blast. The aquarium sea life itself is great with all the favorites: a big shark tank, the electric eel, the dragon fish, the ray touch tank, the octopus. It also has that Ripley's goofy charm, a big climbing playground in the middle for the kids, a mermaid show, and even a penguin march through the middle of the exhibits. You can buy food and drinks (including local beers) in between the exhibits. The city parking garage is right behind the location and the trolley drops off right beside the front door. If you have kids, you'll want to spend some time here.

If you've ever wondered what it feels like to be a salmon swimming upstream during peak season,…read morejust visit Ripley's Aquarium on a busy day. I didn't take many pictures because I was trying to live in the moment--and also because I was too busy dodging people who apparently trained for this event at the "Cutting in Line Olympics (my kid came up with that analogy.) This place was packed. I mean Black Friday at the Best Buy packed. Half the time I couldn't even see the tanks because someone's unk decided the best viewing angle was directly in front of my face. Patience was not the theme of the day. Luckily for him I'm not only patient but handsome. But then... the shark tunnel appeared like a gift from the aquarium gods. We hopped onto a slow-moving convey like a lazy river at a Vegas hotel, for people who don't want to walk. Honestly, I wish the entire building worked this way. Zero chaos. Zero pushing. Just vibes and sharks gliding over your head like "Come on in the waters fine" The stingrays were another highlight--majestic, chill, and many different sizes. Crowds aside,(but not really) those two moments made the visit worth it. If you go, bring patience, comfortable shoes, and maybe a bullhorn to get people's attention. But once you hit the sharks, it will be smooth sailing. FYI I will never go again but it was pretty cool in general..

Photos
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - Family photo.  They offer photo packages

Family photo. They offer photo packages

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - Outside entrance

Outside entrance

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies - My kids In the huge chair

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My kids In the huge chair

Goats On The Roof

Goats On The Roof

4.2(179 reviews)
7.6 mi

Goats on the Roof was one of the most fun laid back and unique stops on our trip! We originally…read moreplanned to ride the Alpine Coaster down the street, but the wait was over an hour, so we came here instead, and we're glad we did. The mountain coaster was a lot of fun, had a short wait, and was only about $15. My favorite part, though, was feeding the goats on the roof! You buy goat food inside the gift shop for about $3 a cup, ($1 refill) pour it into a bowl, then pedal a bike that carries the food up a conveyor to the rooftop. The goats are already waiting, and it's hilarious watching them compete for the food. It's a unique experience that's fun for both kids and adults. Definitely worth the stop!

I always see this place advertised on TikTok and happened to drive by it on our way back into town…read morefrom Jeep Invasion, so we decided to stop.We went around the back of the building where they have a bunch of goats that you can feed. The goats were super cute and definitely made the stop worth it. The coaster was pretty fast and at a couple points it honestly felt like you might fall off, but overall it was a lot of fun and definitely a fast ride. It's a little cheaper than some of the other coasters in town, but still a little pricey at about $17 a ticket after the 12.5% tax. The store is HUGE and just kept going and going. They have all kinds of different knickknacks and random stuff to look at. They also have rocking chairs where you can sit and chill or buy one. Overall, it was a fun place to stop and check out.

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Goats On The Roof
Goats On The Roof
Goats On The Roof - Alpine coaster !

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Alpine coaster !

Dig'n Zone Theme Park - Drive a real pavement roller!

Dig'n Zone Theme Park

4.2(25 reviews)
9.5 mi

I heard about this place and was glad I was able to finally visit…read more The location was easy to find. I am not sire if this was normal but there was only about 4 other groups besides ours so there was no wait I had no expectations of this place and I did no research but I was very impressed and had a great time. There were plenty of games and rides on actual machinery. Also, there is a cafe which I didn't attend and a small arcade area We did allow our daughter to visit the splash pad. She had a great time there. There were a lot of air conditioning bathrooms to help kids change into a swimsuit Overall, I am a fan of this place and would return in the future

We just had our second trip down there and it was better than the first! A theme park is only as…read moregood as its staff- and the staff at the Decimator and mini-tractors were fantastic! They were so wonderful with my son and the best part of the day! Everyone seemed to take pride in their work, the park was clean, staff was helpful, and seemed to truly enjoy their jobs. The new splash pad is a lifesaver on a hot day. They've added more shade, and it's safe to assume more will be added when we return next year. All bathrooms are single-stall family/accesible which I appreciated a great deal. They're also climate-controlled which helped. I love being able to use construction equipment and try stuff that I can't normally access in my daily life. Yes, it's expensive but utilize Groupon if you want to save money. It's definitely worth the price for us because my kid loves construction equipment and he can safely use it here. To the team: We'll see you next August if not before!

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Dig'n Zone Theme Park - Ride the Decimator!

Ride the Decimator!

Dig'n Zone Theme Park - Try your hand at the pipeliner to see if you can place the pipe in the right spots!

Try your hand at the pipeliner to see if you can place the pipe in the right spots!

Dig'n Zone Theme Park - Enjoy the Dig'n Zone Gem mine!

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Enjoy the Dig'n Zone Gem mine!

The Island - Dance Party 360º at The Island is a MUST!

The Island

4.1(551 reviews)
7.0 mi

The island is always a wonderful stop for everyone. My son…read moreloves Dino's and they currently have the dinosaur experience going on. Our big girl was finally big enough for the harness adventure here. Mom and dad got to do a moonshine tasting.

The Island in Pigeon Forge is one of those places where you can easily spend several hours…read morewandering around without really having a plan--and that's part of the fun! There's a great mix of shops, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and plenty of colorful details that make it an enjoyable place to explore. I visited during the fall, and I especially loved all of the seasonal touches. Pumpkins, mums, hay bales, a vintage tractor, and other autumn decorations made the entire area feel festive and gave me plenty of fun photo opportunities. Of course, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is the landmark you can't miss. Riding it gives you a completely different perspective of Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area, and the enclosed gondolas make for a comfortable ride. My biggest hesitation is the price. Since you pay per person, taking an entire family up in one gondola can become expensive pretty quickly. Overall, The Island is a fun stop whether you want to ride attractions, grab something to eat, shop, people-watch, or simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Even if you don't ride the wheel, it makes a pretty spectacular backdrop! Four stars from me--fun, photogenic, and definitely worth exploring, but some of the attractions can make a family visit pricey.

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The Island - Pumpkin was here

Pumpkin was here

The Island - March 2026

March 2026

The Island

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Ripley's Mountain Coaster

Ripley's Mountain Coaster

3.9(15 reviews)
0.1 mi

Ripley's Mountain Coaster was a really fun experience and definitely worth checking out if you're…read morein the area! The ride gets surprisingly fast, reaching around 30-35 mph, which makes it exciting without feeling like you're just slowly going around a track. The speed is definitely one of the best parts, and it makes the whole ride a lot more fun. One of the biggest advantages is the pricing. It's normally $25 per person, but during October, kids under 9 can ride for free, which is a great deal for families visiting during the fall season. Even better, your ticket lets you ride as many times as you want until the coaster closes for the day. If you enjoy the ride, you can keep going back for another round without having to pay for every individual ride. The main downside is that the lines can get pretty long, so you might spend a decent amount of time waiting. The actual ride only lasts around 3-4 minutes, which can feel a little short when you've been standing in line for a while. However, being able to ride unlimited times helps make up for that, especially if you plan your visit when it's less crowded. Overall, I had a great time at Ripley's Mountain Coaster. The speed makes it exciting, and the unlimited-ride ticket is a big plus. The October deal for younger kids is especially nice for families, too. Even with the longer lines and shorter ride time, I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you're looking for something fun to do in the area!

Don't try and dap up Daniel when he reaches for the brake lever. Daniel's still the goat though…read more The ride is a bit short.

Photos
Ripley's Mountain Coaster
Ripley's Mountain Coaster
Ripley's Mountain Coaster

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Anakeesta - amusementparks - Updated October 2026

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