Anakeesta

Anakeesta is a mountaintop theme park and nature experience in Gatlinburg that has quickly become one of the most beloved family attractions in the Smoky Mountain region since opening in 2017. Built on the ridgeline of Anakeesta Mountain above downtown Gatlinburg, this park blends adventure activities, natural beauty, and a whimsical mountaintop village into an experience that feels distinctly different from the area's other attractions. Where Dollywood delivers high-energy theme-park thrills, Anakeesta offers a more nature-immersive, wonder-filled experience that families with younger children particularly love.

The experience begins with the Chondola ride — a hybrid system offering both enclosed gondola cars and open chairlift seats on the same cable. Families can choose their preferred style for the ride from downtown Gatlinburg to the summit. The open chairlift option is spectacular on clear days, with panoramic views of Gatlinburg below and the Smoky Mountains rising on all sides.

Enclosed gondola cars offer the same views with the comfort of air conditioning and enclosure for families with very young children.

At the summit, the AnaVista Treewalk is the signature included experience and the one that families rave about most. This elevated canopy walk extends 880 feet through the forest at heights up to 60 feet above the ground, connected by 16 bridge spans and observation platforms. Walking through the treetops — surrounded by mountain air, birdsong, and views of the Smokies through gaps in the canopy — creates a uniquely peaceful and exhilarating sensation.

Kids who might balk at being told they are going on a nature walk become enthusiastic explorers when that walk happens in the treetops.

Firefly Village is the whimsical commercial heart of the mountaintop. Treehouse-style buildings, fairy-garden landscaping, and rustic-meets-magical theming create an environment that kids describe as an enchanted mountain village. Shops sell locally made crafts, Smoky Mountain specialty foods, and unique gifts.

The restaurants here offer significantly better food than typical tourist-area fare — Cliff Top's burgers and sandwiches are served with genuine Smoky Mountain panoramic views that make lunch memorable.

For additional thrills, Anakeesta offers add-on adventures at separate pricing. The Dueling Zipline Adventure sends two riders side-by-side across the mountain at speeds up to 50 mph — perfect for competitive siblings or a parent-child duo. The Rail Runner mountain coaster is a single-rider alpine coaster that winds down the mountain through the forest.

These add-ons are exciting but push the total family cost higher, and many families find the general admission inclusions (Chondola, Treewalk, Firefly Village) provide excellent value on their own.

The Memorial Forest trail winds through a quiet section of the mountain where thousands of trees killed by an invasive insect have been transformed into an art installation, with each standing trunk individually carved or decorated by local artists. This unexpected combination of ecology education and folk art creates a contemplative experience that parents appreciate and children find intriguingly different from the rest of the park.

Seasonal events significantly enhance the Anakeesta experience. The Enchanted Winter celebration (November through February) fills the mountain with millions of lights, holiday decorations, and special entertainment that transforms the already-magical atmosphere into a genuine winter wonderland. Summer and fall visits capitalize on the natural beauty — fall foliage viewed from the Treewalk and Chondola is breathtaking, and summer's lush green canopy creates cool shade even on the hottest days.