Anakeesta: This Mountain Village in Gatlinburg is Magical

Anakeesta sits atop a mountain overlooking Gatlinburg, and we sent contributor Kristina and her kids to explore the village and learn why people just love this magical place right outside the Great Smoky Mountains.

We received media tickets for this review, but opinions are solely those of the author.

Trying to explain a chondola to my two children, ages 8 and 5, was kind of a challenge. But when Anakeesta’s chondalas came into view on our way into Gatlinburg, my kids were ecstatic.

They showed none of the trepidation I felt thinking about riding an open chair lift up the side of a very high mountain. In the end, with my fear swept aside and holding tight to my littles, we jumped on the chondola and headed up the mountain to the magical village of Anakeesta.

What awaited us at the top was more than I could have imagined.

Find a place to stay near Anakeesta. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

Editor’s note (updated October 2026): Kristina’s family visited before Anakeesta’s 2026 expansion. The open-air chondola described in this story has since been replaced by the Crystal Express, an enclosed gondola with glass floors and walls. Prices, ride rules, and event dates below have been updated to match Anakeesta’s website.

Anakeesta Quick Facts

• Location: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (downtown Gatlinburg at traffic light #5)
• Getting to the top: Ride the Crystal Express gondola (about four minutes) or the Ridge Rambler from the Parkway. You can’t drive up, and Anakeesta doesn’t provide parking. There’s a paid lot next door (not owned by Anakeesta), plus nearby city parking garages.
• Hours: Hours change day to day. Check Anakeesta’s hours page before you go.
• Admission: Advance tickets start at $39.99 for adults (12-64), $27.99 for kids (4-11), and $34.99 for seniors (65+). Kids 3 and under are free. See current pricing.
• Add-ons: Coaster Pass $16.99 (two coaster rides), Dueling Zipline $59.99, Astra Lumina night walk $18.99, gem mining from $12
• Annual pass: $79.99 adults, $67.99 kids, $72.99 seniors
• Ages: Fun for all ages. The zipline is for ages 7+ (70-270 lbs), and solo Rail Runner riders must be 48″ tall.
• Seasonal events: Bear-Varian Fall Festival August 28 – November 1, 2026, then Enchanted Christmas November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Contact: 865-325-2400

Falling in Love with Anakeesta

The word Anakeesta comes from the Cherokee word meaning “place of the balsams” or place of high ground. That’s accurate when it comes to the location. And weaving in the Cherokee history is only the beginning of how Anakeesta integrates itself with nature.

The mountain village promises magic and wonder, adventure and entertainment. Being on top of a mountain can be a peaceful feeling. Breathing in the mountain air, gazing at the peaks of the Smokies and the lights of Gatlinburg far below can give one a feeling of being on top of the world. And it does feel like that. But there is also a feeling of awe and wonder, which Anakeesta harnesses to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for guests.

Anakeesta opened in late 2017, and just a year later was named Attraction of the Year at the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association Gala, which certainly says something about how the owners successfully executed their vision for a family-friendly and unique destination in Gatlinburg.

How to Experience Anakeesta

It’s not difficult to spend the day at Anakeesta. We arrived around noon and immediately grabbed lunch at Cliff Top Bar & Grill, which has open walls that look out over the mountains. They have a menu with traditional American food with a slight, yet utterly delicious, twist. I got the Brisket Philly Cheesesteak ($12) with sautéed onions and melted provolone that looked like a dream on a plate. My kids both got the Mac & Cheese ($6) off the children’s menus, and because I was doing a review, I just had to try them. I can accurately say the dish was super cheesy and on point.

After lunch, we checked out Firefly Village and the cute shops that sell a variety of handmade crafts, outdoor gear, and branded apparel. There is also an excellent ice cream shop that sells Blue Bell Ice Cream and handmade and decorated cookies. Beyond the village lies more views upon more views and an outdoor beer garden serving Yee Haw beers. Other food is available from trucks as well like BBQ, pastries, and popcorn. A little coffee truck is also in this area, and it looked really good. Because as parents, you can never truly have enough coffee.

The Vista Gardens are past the picnic tables and beer garden – where the outdoor movies play at night – and they are just stunning, in part because the owners used to be landscape architects. The paths weave around 3,000 flowers, 800 shrubs, and 400 trees and take guests up to even more stunning views of the Smokies. There are also a couple really neat sculptures, including a pretty heart-shaped vine that is perfect for your mountaintop photo.

Further into the garden is the BearVenture course for kids that looks like a little ninja warrior course, except safer. My kids loved this part and wanted to stay longer, but we had to move on to the treehouse where they could climb over rope bridges and artfully laid tree trunks and up to a little tower. This part is totally contained, which is awesome for parents who want to sit down and relax while their kids play.

The Treetop Skywalk entrance is just past the Vista Gardens. Anakeesta says this is the longest tree-based skywalk in North America, with 16 skybridges and 14 viewing platforms. The bridges all swing and wobble, so you have to be able to walk unassisted, and no strollers are allowed. Bridges are suspended between 50 and 60 feet off the ground, but you can look below to try and spot bears or other wildlife.

What’s New at Anakeesta in 2026

Anakeesta is in the middle of “Making More Magic,” a $100 million expansion planned over five years (2025 through 2030). According to Anakeesta’s expansion page, these first-phase additions are now open:

• Crystal Express gondola: This new lift replaced the original chondola. It has 56 enclosed cabins with glass floors and walls, each seating up to six people, and the ride to the top takes about four minutes. Learn more.
• Firefly Experience: A year-round light show along the Treetop Skywalk inspired by the Smokies’ synchronous fireflies. It runs from 30 minutes after sundown until closing and is included in admission. Learn more.
• Enhanced Treetop Skywalk and reimagined Firefly Village: Expanded bridges and canopy pathways, plus a refreshed village with water features and overlooks.

Anakeesta says Phase 2 will add new thrill rides, dining, and themed spaces starting in 2027.

Other additions since our visit include the Hellbender Mountain Coaster, a 3,350-foot coaster that reaches speeds up to 25 mph; Astra Lumina, a 45- to 60-minute night walk with lights, projections, and music ($18.99 add-on to general admission); and gem mining, which starts at $12.

NEW: Birdventure Playground

The new Birdventure playground at Anakeesta is the coolest playground we’ve been to in Tennessee!

There are slides and climbing structures and ropes to jump on. It’s modeled after bird houses but is human-sized. It’s so much fun to explore and climb through, even as adults. The slides are really fast, and there’s a huge rope net that you can literally jump on.

It’s included in your admission to Anakeesta.

Kids must be 44 inches tall and 3 years old to use the slides and closed toed shoes are required.

Here’s a short reel that shows you how cool it is.

Ziplining at Anakeesta

A magical mountain village would not be complete without a heart-pumping zipline to get adrenaline going. The zip ine at Anakeesta sends riders zipping through the forest on dueling lines so you can zip alongside your friend or family member.

There are three ziplines and the same number of platforms, but to get to two of the platforms, the zipliner must quite literally walk the plank and rappel 50 or 60 feet to the ground. Our guide told us to “just step off the ledge.” Meanwhile, all of us were thinking “He doesn’t really mean that, right?” It was fun once we got over the fear!

For the zipline, riders must be at least 7 years old and weigh between 70 and 270 pounds. All guests under 12 must be accompanied by an adult over 18, and everyone needs closed-toed shoes. The Dueling Zipline is a $59.99 add-on to general admission. See updated pricing here. Reservations aren’t required, but Anakeesta strongly encourages them because tours sell out quickly.

Rail Runner Coaster

The Rail Runner is the only single rail mountain coaster in the United States, consisting of 1,600 feet of downhill twists and turns. You can go as fast or as slow as you like since you control the speed. Never having done a mountain coaster before, I had no idea what to expect. It was a lot of fun! I rode with my 5-year-old, and she loved it, especially as I tested out how fast it could go. The Rail Runner can reach speeds of up to 25 mph.

My 8-year-old rode the coaster herself, and she enjoyed it as well once she figured out how to use the lever. Riders have to be at least 48” tall and cannot exceed 230 pounds. To ride tandem, riders must be between the ages of 3 and 7 and a minimum of 38” tall, and the combined weight can’t exceed 230 pounds.

Individual Rail Runner tickets are no longer available. Instead, the Coaster Pass ($16.99 add-on) gives you two rides: one each on the Rail Runner and the newer Hellbender coaster, or two rides on your favorite. You can ride single or tandem.

Seasonal Events

From August 28 through November 1, 2026, Anakeesta hosts its Bear-Varian Fall Festival, which includes beer, food, entertainment, and a beer-tasting card ($22.99 add-on, ages 21+). Get tickets here.

During the changing of the leaves, the mountain turns even more magical as guests not only get a birds-eye view of the Smoky Mountains, but they can walk through the bright colors in the Treetop Skywalk or zipline their way around the trees.

In the wintertime, Anakeesta turns into a winter wonderland for their Enchanted Christmas event that includes Santa visits, elves, and lots of Christmas lights. This season’s Enchanted Christmas runs November 13 through January 3, according to Anakeesta’s seasonal events page. You can find ticket info here.

Come spring and summer, the gardens are in full bloom and the splash pad is on.

Night vs. Day at Anakeesta

Since admission tickets to Anakeesta are good for the whole day, guests are welcome to come and go as they please. We rode the Rail Runner, did the Treetop Skywalk, walked through the gardens, did BearVenture, ziplined through the trees, and had lunch before we decided to head to the hotel – right across the street by the way, the Greystone Lodge – to swim in the pool and rest up before heading back to Anakeesta to experience it at night.

Walking through Anakeesta at twilight and watching the sunset over the mountains is incredible. The views are more amazing, if that’s even possible. The vibe of Firefly Village is relaxing. People are just walking around, eating ice cream or relaxing by the bonfire. Lots of people gathered to watch the outdoor movie. My kids played Jenga and corn hole and went back to the outdoor ropes and treehouse play area.

But the best part about nighttime at Anakeesta is the Treetop Skywalk. If you’ve ever seen the synchronous or Blue Ghost fireflies, you know it’s almost an ethereal experience. Well, Anakeesta knows that too and sought to mimic what the synchronous fireflies look like with lights underneath the Skywalk. So you are walking in near darkness on the swinging bridges, only lit up by hanging lights, and watching the fireflies below. It. Was. Awesome. My kids were in awe. I know it’s just a light show but it looked so real!

Watching the zipliners at night was neat too. I definitely wanted to do that again! I can’t even imagine getting on a zipline and pushing off without seeing far ahead of you, just zipping into the night. That has to be a whole other kind of adventure.

The other amazing part about nighttime at Anakeesta is the gondola ride in the dark. You can see Gatlinburg all lit up below and the night sky, stars twinkling above. It’s quiet and peaceful and relaxing. If I wasn’t so tired, I would have ridden the back up the mountain and down again because it was such a unique experience.

AnaVista Tower & TreeVenture

They have the popular 50-foot high AnaVista Tower and TreeVenture in the mountaintop gardens. You can see sweeping views of the Smokies and Gatlinburg from the top of the tower, and both kids and adults can play in the treehouse-themed TreeVenture challenge course! Read more details about both of them here.

Anakeesta Restaurants

Anakeesta has several restaurants on-site. Whether you’re in the mood for burgers, pizza, or a signature cocktail, they have something for everyone in your family. Here are the restaurants they offer:

• Clifftop Restaurant offers American cuisine including steak, burgers, signature salads, appetizers, housemade desserts, and more!
• Smokehouse Restaurant is a BBQ place that offers a variety of smoked meats.
• Kephart Cafe offers pizza, gourmet hot dogs, and local craft beer.
• Tap House is a bar that offers signature cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.
• The Bar at the Top of the World offers liquor, signature cocktails, beer, wine, and more.
• Mimi’s Creamery serves hand-dipped ice cream cones, brownies, sundaes, and more.
• Tower Bar offers specialty cocktails and is the highest bar in downtown Gatlinburg, according to Anakeesta.
• Cloud 9 Cafe & Bakery sells pastries and coffee beverages.
• Tennessee Sidecar serves walking tacos with toppings and ice-cold beverages.
• Rocky Top Tacos offers Mexican cuisine and a special kids’ menu.

Admission

Admission is good for all-day access and unlimited Crystal Express gondola or Ridge Rambler rides up and down the mountain. Also included in the admission ticket are the AnaVista Tower, Treetop Skywalk, Vista Gardens, TreeVenture Challenge Course, Treehouse Adventure Play Area, BirdVenture, shopping and dining opportunities at Firefly Village, and the most stunning scenic views in all of Gatlinburg.

Advance tickets start at $39.99 for adults (ages 12-64), $27.99 for children ages 4-11, and $34.99 for seniors (65+). Kids three and under are free. Anakeesta also offers on-site discounts at the ticket booth (10% AAA, 10% active/retired military, 20% Sevier County locals); these can’t be used online.

Anakeesta also offers annual passes, which are good for 12 months from activation. This is a great option for families if they know they are coming to Gatlinburg at least twice a year and want to make Anakeesta a part of their visit.

Annual passes are $79.99 for adults (12-64), $67.99 for kids (4-11), and $72.99 for seniors (65+). They include 20% off food (excluding alcohol), shopping, and add-ons, plus one free buddy pass.

Pets are not allowed at Anakeesta, but ADA service dogs accompanying people with disabilities are permitted.

Much of Anakeesta is wheelchair and stroller accessible, though the Treetop Skywalk, AnaVista Tower, and Astra Lumina are not (Astra Lumina allows all-terrain strollers only). Strollers fit in the Ridge Rambler, and Anakeesta says its gondola cabins are 31″ wide and 44″ deep to fit wheelchairs and strollers.

The next time you’re in Gatlinburg, Anakeesta should certainly be on your list of places to go and things to do. There is just so much for everyone to experience and enjoy that you probably won’t want to leave.

Anakeesta FAQ

What does Anakeesta mean?

Anakeesta says its name comes from a Cherokee word meaning “Place of the Balsams,” or a place of high ground.

How much are Anakeesta tickets?

Advance general admission starts at $39.99 for adults (12-64), $27.99 for kids (4-11), and $34.99 for seniors (65+). Kids 3 and under are free. Add-ons like the zipline, Coaster Pass, and Astra Lumina cost extra.

Is the chondola still running?

No. In 2026, Anakeesta replaced the original chondola with the Crystal Express, an enclosed gondola with glass floors and walls. You can also ride the Ridge Rambler to the top.

Can you drive to the top of Anakeesta?

No. Park in a nearby paid lot or city garage, then ride the gondola or Ridge Rambler up from 576 Parkway. Anakeesta doesn’t provide parking.

How long should you spend at Anakeesta?

Anakeesta suggests three to five hours for a relaxed visit, plus more time for the zipline, coasters, or Astra Lumina. Admission is good all day, so you can leave and come back the same day.

Are dogs allowed at Anakeesta?

No. Pets aren’t allowed, but ADA service animals are welcome.

Anakeesta website
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738