The Anakeesta Amusement And Theme Park In East Tennessee Is Fun For Everyone In The Family
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on October 19, 2023(Originally published March 02, 2021)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is a state known for its incredible natural beauty, but the famed Anakeesa amusement park in Gatlinburg is the one place in the state where the beauty of nature is harnessed to create a fun experience for everyone. This Tennessee natural theme park boasts all sorts of fun and excitement for the whole family, and we have a feeling you’re going to fall in love with the experience. Learn more about the fun found at Anakeesta below, and get ready to plan a trip! You won’t want to wait.
Anakeesta is a mountaintop theme park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, that makes it easy for folks of all ages to experience the intimate beauty of the mountains. With hands-on experiences like zip-lining, a treetop play area, and gondola rides, there's a little something for everyone.
Anakeesta is located conveniently in downtown Gatlinburg but you will have to take a chodola ride to be transported to this scenic park. In my experience going up the chairlift to the top of the mountain felt like you had left the busy street down below and were transported to a wholly new location that was both peaceful and beautiful.
The word "Anakeesta" is actually a Cherokee word, and it refers to higher ground. It literally translates to "the place of the balsams." The park was named Anakeesta to honor the area's heritage and elevate the authentic natural beauty found in the Smokies.
Not only does the name pay homage to the past but the whole park was designed to highlight the natural beauty all around. Everywhere you look in the park there are lookouts, chairs overlooking the mountains, and photo spots that capture the scene so you can keep it forever.
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Anakeesta is located on 70 acres of beautiful land, and the views are simply magical. This mountain playground boasts a 16-bridge Treetop Skywalk, and there's nothing like a walk through the meandering Vista Gardens.
The treetop Skywalk is a magical journey through the forest. As you stroll across each lofty bridge you will be exploring through the canopy and when the sun starts to set, this place is even more incredible as the lights guide the path and it feels like something out of a fairytale. The Garden also is filled with hidden gems from different sculptures to interactive pieces that are fun for the whole family to explore and find.
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If you're looking for thrills, we'd recommend the Chondola, an open-air 4-person chair that takes you high above Anakeesta Mountain, or a ride down the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. The life taking you up to the mountain park will come with two options the closed-in gondal ride and the open-air chairlift. The ascent is slow and allows guests to fully enjoy the views all the way to the top.
There's also gem mining on-site, a Bearventure Challenge Course, the famed Anavista Observation Tower, and a Treehouse Village Play Area. On top of that, there are signs that explain what mountain peaks you are looking at and the names which is helpful to orientate yourself while having an unobstructed 360-degree view. There are two sections that are sure to get your heart racing too as you walk over the glass bottom looking straight down to the concrete. These sections are optional, however.
Popular spots like the Treehouse Village are a blast for children and adults alike. Work your way through swinging obstacles and rope course sections while taking a break in the treehouses. The park is also getting additions all the time so make sure to regularly check in with their website to see any updates.
Doesn't this dreamy photograph look like an incredible adventure? There's something magical about holidays spent at Anakeesta, so make sure you check the theme park's official event calendar throughout the year.
Each season brings new decorations throughout the park making each visit distinctly different.
Anakeesta is certainly filled with eye candy from the beautiful gardens to the natural surrounding beauty. Grab a bite to eat with a phenomenal view, or just relax at the overlook. Either way, this park is pretty special.
To see more of what this park is like please check out this Adventuring in the Moment video that showcases everything wonderful about this mountaintop experience.
Stay till after dark to see Astra Lumina. You have to purchase an additional ticket but after going I can safely say it is worth every penny.
This enchanted light show brings you through the pitch-black forest only to take a visual journey through the stars. With out-of-this-world visual effects, lights, and sounds, Astra Lumina plays on every sense and fully immerses you into a full experience. Each station left us in complete awe. We highly recommend this experience unlike anything else and if you want just a taste of it then check out this Adventuring in the Moment video.
Doesn’t this look like an incredible experience? There’s a little something for everyone at Anakeesta Amusement Park. You can learn more and plan your own visit to this Gatlinburg gem with a visit to the Anakeesta website.
If you’re looking for a place to stay while you’re in East Tennessee, then a stay at this mountain cabin just might be in store. To book a night please see the Nestled Inn Vrbo page.
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Theme Parks In Gatlinburg
Chris Dodge|October 19, 2023
Are there any theme parks in Gatlinburg?
There are no theme parks in Gatlinburg in the traditional sense. However, there are lots of other attractions that will give visitors similar experiences. Here are a few of my favorites:
