Anakeesta

We really enjoyed Anakeesta. The views from the top are gorgeous, and you can see the mountains so clearly. There are plenty of places to grab food, which was nice because we didn’t have to leave or rush.

The play areas were great for the kids — they spent so much time there and had a blast. If you’re planning to stay for the lights and Astra Lumina at night, I’d definitely go in the afternoon. It worked out perfectly for us to see everything in daylight and then stay for the night experience.

About the chair lifts — they were fine for us, but just a heads-up that there are only a few cabin (gondola) options, so you might have to wait a bit if you prefer those. They also run shuttle buses if you want to avoid the chair lifts completely, which is really helpful for anyone not comfortable with heights.

One of the favorite part of the whole place was the Treetop Skywalk. Walking across those bridges with the mountains all around was honestly the highlight of everyone’s day.

It was a really fun and easy day overall with kids .

An Unexpected and Wonderful Experience

We honestly did not know what to expect going into Anakeesta, but it ended up being an absolutely wonderful experience for our family.

The light event was incredible and beautifully done. (Astra Lumina)

Walking through the treetop play areas felt magical and immersive, and the hiking trails were peaceful while still offering plenty of adventure for all ages.

The coasters were amazing and added just the right amount of thrill to the day. And the views… truly spectacular. Being surrounded by the mountains from so many vantage points made the entire experience feel special and memorable.

Anakeesta is thoughtfully designed, fun, and full of moments that make you slow down and take it all in. We are so glad we went and would absolutely recommend it to families or anyone looking to experience Gatlinburg from a whole new perspective. We would happily go back again.

Definitely buy tickets in advance.

Worth exploring in the day and experience the different vibes at night.

Absolutely loved it here. It was a nice peaceful ride up to the mountaintop. And once you get up there the views are just absolutely incredible. Then you start walking up to the tower. Just go off the tower The view is getting better. So much to do here especially if you have kids.

Unfortunately if you're a tall guy big guy you can't go through some of the activities which is on the standable such as life. But definitely a lot of fun this place. Especially during the fall time..

I would suggest go early though especially during the week. It can get pretty crowded really quickly. Especially if you park in the parking lot where they are. It gets crowded really quick.