We love Anakeesta, especially in the fall during their Bear Variam Festival (highly recommend you get a beer tour passport if you are a beer/cider drinker). We've gone two years in a row (2024 and 2025) and even between the years it seems that there is more to offer. Plan to be there all day, especially if you have small children. There is so much for them to do, climb, and explore which is nice so you can enjoy your drink while they play. All the kids areas are secure too so you won't lose them or worry about them falling down the mountain. Our kids LOVE the slide and birdhouse climbing area. There's a stage for live entertainment close by which we really enjoyed. Lots of food options all over however we really enjoy the lookout mountain restaurant and you have to get ice cream for dessert afterwards. Transportation up the mountain is either by their Ridge Rambler (open bus with no windows so dress accordingly) or the skyline with both open and closed cars (runs really slowly and usually a LONG line). I highly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance because even though that option is available, many do not opt for it and would rather stand in a VERY LONG line to purchase tickets and then get in line for the skyline. If you purchase in advance and opt to ride the bus like we do, wait time is very minimal and you can bypass most of the line which is a huge plus. (also, the waiting area is by 2 private restrooms in case you need to go before boarding). Even though it's busy, everything is so spread out that it's not crowded which is super nice. Plan to take a backpack to carry items as you will stay on the mountain and it's not easy to go back and forth to the car (could but will take time), plus, it's nice to have in case it's chilly and hot later so you can store clothing layers. Currently, Anakeesta is closed until March for remodels and they've shared ideas and things to come which all look like great additions. We can't wait to go again this fall 2026 to enjoy all the new amenities. Highly recommend for all ages! read more

Cool place. 50% of it isn't open this spring... no ski lift. No zip lining. Sky trek is half closed. LOTS of stairs. Seriously LOTS. If mobility is limited, keep this in mind. Cool play areas for kids. Several dining options. Gem mining. Mountain coasters. Mountain coasters line is usually 20min longer than they say it is. Waiter will charge you $4 unexpectedly for a to-go cup for your drink. Feels like the kind of place where you end up being nickel and dimed. Wanted to love it but it's just ok. read more

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! read more

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Absolutely loved our first visit to Anakeesta park! At first we were hesitant due to the cost to get in, but it is definitely worth it! They do a wonderful job maintaining the park. There is also a lot to do for all ages. The views also can't be beat. Make sure you wear walking shoes, it is a lot of walking up there. read more

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. read more

Anakeesta - Promising - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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The views from Anakeesta are breathtaking!! There was a lot of the park that was closed because we visited in mid March but we had a great time walking to the top of the tower, going across the Tree Skywalk, and just sitting in the rocking chairs, taking the views of the Smoky Mountains read more

There's only one, but it's a big one: The price. It's not outrageous, but it's not cheap, especially when you consider most of the best attractions are NOT included in the price of admission. The zipline is an additional $60 and coaster passes - which provide two coaster rides - are another $17. Admission to Astra Lumina is $18. The tree-top skywalk, BirdVenture and the tower ARE included in the price of admission. But for our family of five - if we want to visit the park and do a couple of adventures - a day at Anakeesta can get pretty expensive before you start paying for food and drink and shopping. Plus, I can think of another con - Anakeesta is frequently super packed. It can be a bit of a wait just to get up the mountain and spend more money. read more

Our family visited Anakeesta, and we all loved it! The scenery is absolutely stunning. We appreciated that the park worked with nature and highlighted the beauty of the mountains, trees, flowers, etc. Every single view was breathtaking! We did not purchase our tickets ahead of time, but when we go back, we will. We were able to use a posted QR code and buy our tickets at the park rather than stand in line for tickets. We purchased the base ticket and added-on being able to ride coasters. The ride up is an adventure in itself. We rode the chair lift up and the chodola back down. For those less-adventurous, there is the Ridge Rambler (big truck)! The staff at Anakeesta if fantastic. Everyone was so friendly! There were lots of options for food at reasonable price points. We stayed long enough to have both lunch and dinner! If you go with children, be prepared to pay for extras. Note what the base ticket includes, and know that riding the mountain coasters, ziplining, and the photo package are all additional in cost. read more

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Go early 9 am As soon as they open enjoy everything before it get too busy. There's coupons floating around that discount the price it's roughly 40 bucks per person We went right at 9 AM. We were able to do the Vista gardens the skywalk and sightsee relaxing you know enjoy the Mountain View without 1000 people in 1000 kids yelling and screaming. It was very nice. read more

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Anakeesta is very much a tourist attraction in Gatlinburg TN strongly recommend it if you are looking for something to do and specifically recommend it if you have little ones. They have various food and beverage outlets on site. We tried the main restaurants where the views are gorgeous, service is great, food was... alright. They have music shows throughout the park and we went during Halloween time, so the singers were wearing costumes and the whole park was decorated. They have attractions for children to play in and many photo ops. It's like a mini Disney. Wil definitely be back! read more

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This place is beautiful! I've never been so in not sure how it is during other seasons but I loved seeing the Christmas lights. It was cold so bundle up! We were able to see the drone show from the tower. They also have a ton of shops to shop and eat. Worth a visit if you're in Gatlinburg! read more

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TLDR if you value convenience and are willing to pay a premium for it- this may be a good option. If yiu value the value of money, I think there are far better ways to spend it then this place I thought this place was gonna be amazing. I should have researched further. Unlimited rides on chondola and rampage whatever it is? Sounded great until I realized... thats the gondola (ski lift entrance system) to get up to the park. Ive been to ski resorts as a former Colorado resident. I was afraid if heights back then as I still am now. The difference. Those moved faster which cut down in the fear and anxiety. This sucker went like 3mph and was slowed to allow people to get on or off about a dozen times during our ride. It also stopped every time a cabin reached the top or bottom. Basically it was a 20 minute ride swinging in the wind and bouncing every time we stopped. Not fun. They did have lights on the trees so at night it may have looked much better. We rode only during the day. 4 times total... each time was not fun. Didn't try the other unlimited "ride." The truck up the mountain. Ran every half hour. One lane windy road. We couldn't do that one as one in our group was prone to motion sickness. Once we got up there....there were 0 rides unless you payed more. So the day pass just gets you up the mountain. $17 for 2 coaster rides. If you isn't to go tandem you must buy each person a ticket which includes 2 rides each. (4 total). Plus tax. It was like $38 for 2 to try the coaster. I think it lasted 2 minutes. Didn't try the zipline. Although it kinda seemed like the chondola so not only did you have to pay a LOT more, it didnt seem unique. Food. The pass is a less bad deal. Portions were small. Stuff was a bit on the expensive side and the pass makes it more reasonable but still the portions were small. I thought dollywood was small. I think these are a little smaller. The performers were decent. They put good effort into their performances. The views were pretty cool. I think you could get similar for a day pass into the national park. The playground stuff was cool. It was limited, but unique. By far better playgrounds then what we have in Florida... but about similar to some of the playgrounds we had in Michigan. Different but there were some really nice playgrounds where we lived up there. Splash pad.. meh. Refreshing and kids had fun but small and lacked features to keep it interesting. No splash bucket. No turrets.... kinda basic. Didn't try the light show. Ive heard it was good so that could really influence the overall view of this place. All in all id say good, coaster, splash pad, entertainment, views... not worth the cost Playground... could be worth a season pass if you can go often. For us visiting town, 2 adults, 1 kid, 1 food pass, 2 coaster rides... im very disappointed in the value. I think we spent like $165 (9.75% tax). May be worth it if you are looking for all activities in one place. But if you chunked them out over a day or two, you could do all this for less and devote a lot more time to each one. Which could save money too as you dont have to plan and pay for other activities in that time. read more

Anakeesta - Chondola at night - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

My family really lives this place but I just think it's overpriced and crowded. It had a lot of what someone might want in one place but you still have to wait in line and pay to get up there and then everything else costs quite a bit. They had a food around the world festival but the portions were smaller than the regular so it really didn't feel worth it to pay. I just felt a bit like my in laws (because they paid for everything) were getting ripped off. That being said they live it and don't agree with me at all so perhaps you won't either. read more

Anakeesta - They loved the Rail Runner. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Visited here again 12-1-25. It was cold but we dressed for it. The ride up was nice, didn't rock alot. Tons of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park up top. We went at night and the ride up was a little dark but that is due to some major construction they are doing for next year. read more

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After all the hiking was done, we stopped here! We were supposed to go two nights before, but it rained and stormed! Be aware that they close down during storms. There are many options and activities... some come with admission, some cost extra. It was cool to see a bear on our way up. This is bear country. It wasn't very crowded, which made it easy to get around. This spot is worth a visit. We had so much fun here. I would definitely return. Parking is tricky. read more

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A Beautiful but Overpriced Experience While the setting is undeniably beautiful, I found the overall experience to be far too expensive for what it offers. By the time you pay for admission, the mountain coaster, zip lining, gemstone mining, and the light show, the total cost becomes excessive. For that amount, you could visit Dollywood instead and enjoy a wider variety of attractions and entertainment for less. This venue may be better suited for couples rather than families, as the costs add up quickly. It's a lovely spot, but it feels more like a tourist money trap than a good value. Additionally, I encountered a few frustrating policies. For example, I was holding a small cup of beer and wanted to try another, but staff wouldn't serve me until I had finished the first one -- which didn't make much sense. Everything also closes fairly early, so if you purchase a beer tasting pass, make sure to use it before around 8 p.m. Otherwise, you'll lose the remaining value, as I unfortunately discovered. Overall, it's a beautiful place to visit once, but not something I'd choose to do again. read more

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This is a must-visit whenever we are in Gatlinburg. In my opinion, it is worth setting aside an entire day for - The views are incredible. A personal favorite is the Treetop Skywalk if you're outdoorsy, but on our next trip, I'm looking forward to the Astra Lumina experience. read more

Anakeesta - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

It's pretty fun. But you've been warned... if you're afraid of heights, ask for the van to take you to the top of the mountain. Also, buy your tickets online if you want to skip the line. We were shocked by how busy it was during this time. We assumed it was still early in the season, but it was pretty busy! You start by entering the tram entrance, which is a chondola, or an enclosed cabin that can fit 6. The ski lift/chondola fits 4. It takes around 10 min to go all the way up, and trust when I say--you will struggle if you're afraid of heights. It's a tourist attraction but there are some fun areas. Skywalk has roped walk ways. Theres an outlook that has great photo opportunities. Several bars, food and snacks and desserts available. It's very kid friendly, but also fun if you're going in an adult group. 37.99$ will get you entrance to the park. We wanted to go on a mountain coaster but the wait was 40 min and it is first come first serve, so you have to wait in line, there's no non waiting option. If you want to zip line, you must make reservations before you go. We got in at noon, and all zip lines were sold out. read more

So much to see and do - beautiful views of the mountains and a good variety of food options: ice cream, coffee/bakery, bbq, snacks and walking tacos. We rode both mountain coasters, ziplined and did the treetop skywalk. You could easily spend a few hours to almost an entire day here just enjoying the views and exploring - definitely recommend! read more

Anakeesta - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Fun time, mostly for kids. My husband and I don't regret going, but it wasn't our fav thing to do on our honeymoon. Loved the beer tastings though! Those were a good tasty time. Overall, this is a beautiful park. Def pricey, but that's the way it goes in this area. read more

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Great experience in the smoky mountains. Lots to do and see. Shops, restaurants, and lots of rocking chairs. So many activities. read more

Anakeesta - Nights lights - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Total tourist trap. Tons of waiting, unfinished sections, below average food. Probably fun for kids, not so much for adults. Mountain coasters felt sketchy. read more

This park has been a bucket list of mine for years, and I'm glad we were finally able to check it out. That being said, I'm not sure it's a worth a revisit. We went at 9am on a Saturday, and took the chairlift to the top with little to no wait. There was a line but it was the start of the day and things moved quickly (there is NO breakfast on the mountain, despite what the staff at the base say, so eat before going up). We left around 12pm to go back to town for lunch with no wait for the chairlift. We got back in line around 4 for the rambler, waited around an hour and we were back. We enjoyed our night, but it did take us a little over an hour to get off the mountain at 11pm. We didn't move our car all day - there's no way we would have found parking in the afternoon if we did. The good - the park is STUNNING. The views can't be beat, the activities are fun (the tree walk at night looks like something out of a storybook) and the park itself is extremely clean and well maintained. Astra Lumina was a great way to end the night, a celestial experience nestled in the mountains is hard to beat, especially for $17. The bad - the park is so so poorly managed (I question if it's managed at all). They have no business moving people from point A to point B. We were 100% expecting a wait and cool with that being it was a Saturday and we signed up for this - but transportation was chaos. At park close, there was not a single employee left in the park, just 1,000 or so people desperately trying to get down the mountain. Which is fine, since staff inside the park looked miserable, were anything but welcoming - kudos to the guy who said "thanks for coming I love making money!" At the end of the day, did we have a great time? Yes, because the environment is beautiful, and I was surrounded by great company. We made the best of it. Is it worth another visit? No. read more

Anakeesta - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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This was my second time in Gatlinburg, but the first time I was a child and Anakeesta did not exist. This place is great, the view is amazing and the attractions (like the mountain coasters) are super fun. There's stuff for everyone, kids shows, kids attractions, restaurant, bars, and again the view! Totally worth the ticket cost in my opinion. read more

Anakeesta - Treetop bridge walk - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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Plan to be here all day. My biggest tip, if you have a stroller but can avoid taking it, LEAVE IT! Or bring an umbrella stroller so you don't have to wait for the gondola. The longest wait was for us getting a gondola bc they only have a few. It took an hour at least, horrible bc it was so hot too. My mom took the stroller in the truck on the way down lol. But they do have truck transportation for anyone scared of heights. There's so much to do for kids and adults. Told of climbing activities. Great scenery. Restaurant and food up there. Bathrooms were clean. Def want to return. read more

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Anakeesta is amazing in itself! But for a limited time it offers food from across the world and I'm for it all... each state had its signature dish and I tried most of them but the rain closed some of them.... so I had what I could and they didnt disappoint... they offer a pass to try 7 or 5 items . The portions are fairly small so I'd suggest getting the larger item card. But worth getting in comparison to price of each one solo. read more

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Fantastic views! They have lots to do for kids, but I wish there was just a little more for adults except eat/drink. The Astra Lumina experience, was an extra $12.99. After paying for the initial ticket & photos, it was just getting to be too expensive. I feel like since there are limited things for an adult, this should be included in the admission. Not to mention that the zip line, tree house walk, and bridges, are not accessible options. Just be aware that if you have any limitations as an adult, the only thing to do there is eat/drink and sit. This is why I feel like the Astra Lumina should be included with ticket price. FYI: there are only 4 Chondala's to take up. So if you want one, expect to wait a long time. The faster route up is the traditional chair lift, or the bus. read more

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Not crowded at all! The restaurant there was excellent. The cocktails were not watered down, and were excellent. Met some really nice people around the fire pit. Great views, and VERY friendly staff. Both mountain coasters were awesome! My kiddos rode both twice! The light show was really cool. Saw 2 bears and cubs. The staff were very attentive to them, ensuring that they weren't harmed, and people were out of their way. Overall, a great experience, and we will definitely be back! Worth the price of admission! read more

Me and my family had a great time at Anakeesta. It was a hot and sunny day which was perfect to enjoy at the top. The views were beautiful as we could not stop admiring them. It had many options for food as they had different specialty stalls from different states. The mountain coasters were very much thrilling and something I have never done before. It was scary at first but the adrenaline kicked in. The treetop skywalk was one of my favorite parts adding a little bit of uniqueness to hiking. Overall, I had a blast read more

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We came here on a very rainy Saturday and still ended up having a great day. Obviously not ideal with the on and off raining but the temperature was wonderful. We had 6 people in our party and chose to take the chondola up and down to the enter and exit the park to save time. The cabin ride and the bus going up both have longer wait times. Come knowing what to expect. It's a very mild amusement park- don't expect thrill rides. Very suitable in my opinion for elementary school kids. The mountain views are gorgeous and the whole day felt very easy and relaxing. It wasn't super crowded when we went. I purchased tickets online and saved us some wait time. read more

If you're heading to Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is an absolute must! We went zip lining and -- wow -- what an adrenaline rush! The views were jaw-dropping, but the real stars were our instructors: Peach, Nick, and Howard. These three are safety pros with the comedic timing of stand-up comedians. They had our whole group laughing, calming those first-time jitters with humor while making sure we felt completely secure. And don't just stop at zip lining... you have to ride the Hellbender Double Rail Coaster -- part thrill, part scenic cruise, and 100% worth it. The mountain views will have you grinning just as much as the twists and turns. After the rides, take your time exploring: AnaVista Tower -- unbeatable 360° views of the Smokies Treetop Skywalk -- suspended bridges high above the forest Walking trails, charming gardens, and spots to just breathe in that fresh mountain air Cute shops & tasty eats Anakeesta is the perfect mix of adventure, scenery, and good vibes -- you'll leave with a camera full of photos and a heart full of memories! read more

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As a local content creator here in Gatlinburg The Gatlinburg Hussey, I absolutely love Anakeesta here in Gatlinburg..I tell everyone to visit and to get there nice and early to avoid any long lines read more

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We paid $296 for a family of five, including tickets to the Astra Lumina light show. Overall, we had a great time--but there are some important things to know before you go. Admission & Entry There's a $20 parking fee to park right at the entrance. If you buy your tickets online, you get to skip the long line at the ticket booth. We did this and got into a much shorter, faster line--only a couple people in front of us. Getting to the Top You'll choose between a Rambler (4WD truck with bench seating in the back) or a Chondola (4-seater ski lift chair or enclosed capsule). The ski lift is open and doesn't have a locking safety bar--just a manual pull-down. I'm terrified of heights, but I survived! The view is gorgeous, though it rocks when they stop to let others off, which can be nerve-wracking. The Park There's a lot included in general admission: * Rope bridges through the treetops * Observation tower with stunning views * Cute gift shops and themed stores * Multiple treetop playgrounds for kids * Tons of rocking chairs and scenic seating areas Note: The entire park is uphill. Wear tennis shoes, apply sunblock, and bring bug spray--it's $20 if you forget, and the mosquitoes are hungry. Food & Allergy Concerns Themed food booths (Arizona, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, etc.) are fun in theory, but frustrating if you have allergies. I have a severe dairy allergy, and most booths: * Had no staff who spoke English * Took 2-3 people just to find someone to answer my questions * Had zero knowledge of allergens despite allergy signs posted The Hawaii booth was especially disappointing. I'm Native Hawaiian and was excited to see what they had--but nothing was even Hawaiian except Dole Whip. I tried to order an oat milk matcha and confirm it was dairy-free, and the staff member made rude jokes about me being "allergic to water." She refused to listen or answer clearly, and I gave up. The Smokehouse had pretty good brisket, but it was the only dairy-free option I could safely confirm. There's also a hot dog booth, and a walking taco in a chip bag at the Texas booth, but allergy awareness is basically nonexistent. Even in the gift shops, I had staff say "no speak English" when I asked basic questions like the price of an untagged shirt. I even asked a staff member where the bathroom was and got the same response. Language barriers were an issue throughout the park. ‍ Playgrounds & Safety The treetop rope bridges are magical--but overcrowded and unmonitored. Kids were jumping, platforms were rocking, and people were blocking walkways. No staff around for safety. On the ninja warrior-style course, though, there was a staff member actively managing flow and keeping kids safe--big plus. The owl-themed playground was super cute, but the slides get HOT, so make sure your kids wear something that covers their thighs. Weather & Storm Evacuation It started storming, and all activities were shut down. Our Astra Lumina tickets were rain-checked, and we had to wait 2 hours in a soaking-wet line to be evacuated via Rambler(which is open-sided/no windows). We got absolutely drenched.To make it worse, there are no ponchos or umbrellas sold anywhere in the park.I paid $50 for a "rain jacket" in a gift shop that wasn't even waterproof. In a park that sits in a rainforest-style climate,you'd think they'd sell proper rain gear. This is a huge oversight. That said, the staff during the storm was incredible. Drivers handled intense weather like pros. But the lack of shelterand soaked crying kids in line was hard to watch. Please, Anakeesta--add covered evacuation zones and real rain gear for sale. Astra Lumina Light Walk (Raincheck Day) We returned a few days later. The light walk is beautiful--fantasy-themed lights, music, and projections throughout the forest. Peaceful and visually stunning. But...the guests ruined it. * No staff along the trail * People were blocking scenes, taking flash photos and videos, and acting like they were the only ones there * One toddler even almost walked off the trail edge The lack of staff presence ruined what should have been a calming, immersive experience. My kids were so frustrated they wanted to leave ¼ of the way in. Final Thoughts Anakeesta is gorgeous and one-of-a-kind, but comes with major pros and cons: Pros: Beautiful views and creative park design Kids loved the playgrounds Staff during storm evacuation were absolute pros Online ticketing and chondola options are efficient Astra Lumina is worth seeing--if the crowd behaves Cons: Language barriers made communication difficult throughout the park Allergy awareness is poor despite signage No ponchos or real rain gear sold anywhere Safety and crowd control are lacking on rope bridges and at Astra Lumina Flash-happy, inconsiderate guests ruin immersive experiences We're glad we went, but next time we'll come more prepared: rain gear, bug spray, walking shoes, low expectations for food, and patience for crowds read more

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Beautiful place to visit. If you aren't a fan of ski lifts you can take a bus up to the top. It's a family friendly environment with lots to see and do. read more

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Anakeesta has nice views, once you actually get there. The only way up is either a ski lift or a bus. We chose the ski lift, which involved a 2-hour wait (and that was after cutting the line). It was freezing at the top, so we immediately went to the gift shop and spent $150 on two sweatshirts, which felt less like shopping and more like survival. We went to the only indoor restaurant, Cliff Top, where half the menu was out of stock. A member of our party had a chicken sandwich which came out fast, but on a frozen bun. I guess they forgot to cook it? The drinks weren't strong, and half of them weren't available because they ran out of ingredients. My boyfriend ordered an Old Fashioned and got upcharged for Jack Daniel's because they ran out of the house whiskey. After drinking half of it, it became clear the whiskey never showed up, so we bought a shot on the side. Confirmed. Bathrooms had long lines (about 15 minutes). While waiting, I noticed a drinking fountain that looked like it had dog poop in it, which really discouraged hydration. Before Astra Lumina, we did the tree walk. It was mostly another long line, plus drunk people jumping on the bridges, which made it feel less like a nature walk and more like a pending insurance claim. We did Astra Lumina before leaving. It was extremely overhyped. There were maybe four types of lights, all on repeat, plus creepy nature noises blasting from speakers. Nothing memorable and definitely not worth the price. All in all, the entire experience was riddled with inconvenience. The most memorable part was actually the beginning: a member of our party dropped us off to wait in line, then had to park 5 miles away at the trolley station, where he ran into a bear. Unfortunately, we missed that. He finally made it up during the last hour we were there, after also waiting in the same two-hour line. After that, we waited in yet another line to get back down the mountain, then Ubered 5 miles to retrieve our car, which felt like the final attraction Nice views. A lot of waiting. One bear we didn't see. Manage expectations. read more

Anakeesta - Frozen chicken - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

We visited Anakeesta with family on the last day of our trip and really enjoyed the experience overall. Staff were friendly, check-in was easy, and though the peak-season wait for the Chondola was about 45-50 minutes, the views at the top made it worthwhile. The "mountain town" area is beautiful with amazing scenery, live music, and short walking trails to explore. However, for the $35 entry fee, it does feel like almost everything else costs extra. For what you end up spending here, you could probably enjoy a full day at Dollywood for around the same price -- maybe even less. If you go, take the bus if you're not comfortable on the Chondola -- repeated stops for nervous riders slow things down for everyone. And if you're lucky like we were, you might spot a momma bear and her cubs on your way down! Overall, it's definitely worth a visit for the views and atmosphere -- just be prepared for crowds and higher prices. read more

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Anakeesta is a really nice experience and worth checking out while in Gatlinburg. I took the chair lift up, which had beautiful views of the Smoky Mountains. The top area is clean, relaxing, and has that cozy mountain village feel with shops, fire pits, and great photo spots. I didn't do any of the rides, but I did eat at the Cliff Top restaurant, which had good food and amazing views from the patio. The staff was friendly and the whole atmosphere felt calm and well put together. One thing to keep in mind -- admission alone is over $30 per person, and most of the attractions at the top (like ziplining or the mountain coaster) cost extra. It can add up quickly if you plan to do everything. Still, for the views and overall experience, I'd say it's worth it at least once. read more

Anakeesta - View from the top - Amusement Parks Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Incredible mountain adventure attraction is the perfect place to spend the day with family and friends. Incredible views and great food options. This is the closest thing you will find in Gatlinburg that provides a Disney like feel in the mountains. Kudos to the design and service teams as this place is amazing. read more

We were here the day after memorial day and the crowd was still a little busy. We did both coasters and both were good for different reasons. The one in the back of the park was long and smooth the one in front was short but fast and I had to break before the turns or else it will hurt your back for sure. This one was the worst line of the two, didn't look long but took over an hour. We were going to do zip lines but they were booked up. We didn't realize it but if you want to do zip lines anywhere in this area you have to book a day in advance. The food was pretty good. We had pulled pork nachos from the smoke house BBQ restaurant. The rope bridge was my wife's favorite and the views from the observation tower did not disappoint. Great time! read more

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Anakeesta is always a wonderful experience. I have been a few times. Most recently November 2024. We bought tickets ahead of time so scanning them on our phones was super easy and eliminated the need for 2 separate lines. I'm a cabin girl so taking the lift up was smooth. We took the truck back down when we left because it was freezing! Parking was $20 all day in the lot attached to ticket office/lift. We visited astra lumina while up there. It was beautiful! But keep in mind that it is a lot of walking on uneven ground with only the light displays to lead the way. It's a go at your own pace and they do have benches along the way. The hot chocolate trail was fun and delicious! read more

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