Are you planning a family trip to the Great Smoky Mountains? A stop at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is an absolute must do! This popular mountaintop attraction is a great destination for adventure seekers and families looking for a fun day out. To help you make the most of your visit, here is a list of tips and tricks that will help you plan your trip and get the most out of your time at Anakeesta.
Plan Your Visit Ahead of Time
By purchasing tickets ahead of time, you can reduce your wait time in line. My recommendation would be to still get there EARLY and be prepared to wait. There are only a few methods of transportation to get to the summit of the mountain where Anakeesta is located. We visited this popular destination in July and the line for transport was LONG and HOT even with purchasing our tickets ahead of time. Be prepared with water, sunscreen, hats, etc. Parking is also very limited, we happened to be extremely lucky and score a spot close by as someone was leaving one of the paid lots.
Be forewarned, there are no belts or restraints on the chairlift for young children. I rode with my very small and wiggly four year old and I held on to him tightly for fear that he could fall. The chairlift itself took forever with lots of stopping on the ride up. We had forgotten to put sunscreen on before we arrived and due to the length of time in the beating sun, I was sunburned by the time we reached the top (and I don’t burn easily).
We rode the Chondola (an enclosed gondola cabin) on the way back down and it was so much more relaxing out of the beating sun and not having to worry about small children slipping. The downside is that there are only a few Chondolas and the wait in line is double if not triple the wait for a chair. Luckily, there is another option, the Ridge Rambler. The Ridge Rambler is a passenger truck that will drive visitors down the mountain. At the time, the line looked just as long, but apparently it moved much faster. Next visit, this will be our preferred method of transport up and down the mountain.
Check the Weather
This is an outdoor attraction and like any other theme park/attraction, you’re going to want to be prepared for whatever the weather has in store. As I stated before, the sun is hot and you may burn quickly. Remember to bring your sunscreen, hats, water, etc. I have seen other visitors recommend bug spray as well, but we didn’t have any problems with insects. Perhaps the bugs are worse in the evening and you may want to consider bringing bug spray if you plan on staying until after dark.
Anakeesta’s severe weather policy states that they will issue “rainy-day vouchers” to visitors if the rides have been shut down for more than one hour due to inclement weather and the guests have already entered the park. These vouchers are good for up to one year from the date they were issued. In the event of severe weather, pre-purchased tickets will also remain valid for up to one year from the date issued. For any questions or more clarification on their inclement weather polices, you can visit the Anakeesta FAQ page.
Let the Kids Lead the Way
When you first arrive at the top, you will walk through Firefly Village that is filled with little shops and restaurants. We headed straight for the observation tower and it’s 360 deg. views of the Smokies (fun fact-this is the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg).
From there, we let the kids decide what we were going to do. I was initially a little concerned that there wouldn’t be enough for our younger children to keep them occupied, however there was no need for concern as they quickly found things that interested them.
After a quick stop for some lemonade, our kids found the Treeventure Challenge Course (think obstacle course amongst treehouses) and jumped in line for that a few times with their dad. While they were busy, I was able to meander through the garden areas and take more pictures of the gorgeous views.
The kid’s then decided that they wanted to do gem mining. This activity is an extra cost, but we thought the price was pretty reasonable for being at a popular tourist attraction. The boys were super excited to sift through their dirt in the water and find their treasures. They thoroughly enjoyed comparing their findings to the fact sheets to see which gems or fossils they found. This actually served as a great souvenir from our visit and they still cherish their findings.
Our next stop was the Treetop Skywalk, the longest tree-based walkway made up of hanging suspension bridges in North America. The kids were so excited to trek across the bridges that we had to keep reminding them to slow down and wait for mom and dad. This was actually one of my favorite attractions at Anakeesta, it was amazing being up in the trees in the mountains and watching the visitors soar above us on ziplines. A word of caution though- if you get motion sick easily, you may want to skip this attraction. There were a few points on the longer suspension bridges that the walkway started swaying/bouncing and it made me a bit dizzy. I would still do it all over again though!
We did not participate in the Zipline Adventure or the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster, simply because we had our three young children with us and they weren’t old enough or ready for some of those activities. Both of those activities also cost an additional charge, so if you’re looking forward to those, be aware that they are not included in the price of admission. Both of those activities will also require signed waivers that can be found online and completed before you arrive.
Finally, what trip would be complete without relaxing with some ice-cream? We were able to sit at a table in the pavilion and enjoy the shade, views, and each other’s company. At this point, our kid’s were done for the day. They had been super active and the heat had been quite draining. Next time, I’d love to visit later in the afternoon and stay to experience Anakeesta’s Astra Lumina event and the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk.
I hope these tips and reviews from our experiences help you plan your visit to Anakeesta and get the most out of your time at this stunning destination. Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains!
If you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting Anakeesta and the Smoky Mountains, Booking.com is a great place to start in your search (affiliate link)! Don’t forget to plan early as this is a popular destination for many families!
If you’re interested in learning more about visiting the Smokies with your family, check out my blog post- “Visiting The Great Smoky Mountains National Park With Kids“
