If you haven’t been to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg yet, you’ll definitely want to go as soon as you can! This attraction is great for families and people of all ages. Everyone loves riding the chondola up the mountainside to the top where they’ll find shops full of souvenirs, places to grab meals and snacks, and plenty of fun activities. Find out everything you need to know about Anakeesta in Gatlinburg:
Ride the Chondola
Once you pay for admission into Anakeesta, you’ll ride a chondola up the mountainside to get to Firefly Village. Kids will love watching out the windows as you go up. Everyone will also love watching downtown Gatlinburg grow smaller and smaller the farther you get. There’s something magical about when you reach the top and see the village for the first time. When you’re ready to leave, you’ll get back on the chondola, going down the mountainside.
Shop Around
You’ll find all kinds of souvenirs you’ll want to bring home with you in the Firefly Village shops. Great Outdoors Trading Company has a ton of items outdoor enthusiasts will love, from books to gear. The Trading Company also sells mud love products, jewelry, soap, and home goods. If you like to browse around boutiques and the kids want to take something home with them, stop by Catching Fireflies. You’ll find plush animals, outdoor decor, home decor, women’s apparel, and more.
Grab a Bite
When you start to get hungry, stop by one of the many restaurants in Firefly Village for a bite to eat! Cliff Top Grill and Bar has plenty of classic bar favorites, like nachos and chicken tenders. The Bar at the Top of the World is perfect for guests 21 and older. You’ll find a wide selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and liquor. Craving some southern barbecue? Definitely check out the Anakeesta Smokehouse. The pulled pork has just the right amount of smokiness and tangy sauce to make your mouth water. After your meal, head to Pearl’s Pie in the Sky shop for a variety of sweets to choose from.
Play Outside
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg has a ton of outdoor things to do! To really immerse yourself in nature, go on the Treehouse Canopy Walk. You’ll love walking through the trees and watching zipliners fly by overhead. You’ll walk across 16 connected sky bridges, and you might even spot wildlife in the forest below! The kids will love running around in the Treehouse Village Playground! The different areas are connected by bridges with different levels of challenges throughout. Want to race your significant other or a family member? Ride side by side on dueling ziplines down the mountainside! You’ll love racing through the trees together! The Rail Runner Mountain Coaster is also a ton of fun, winding through the forest at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. The best part is the driver gets to control the speed and small children are allowed to ride tandem with adults.
Rest and Relax
If you’re wanting to have a relaxing time at Anakeesta, you should visit the Vista Gardens. You’ll spot all kinds of native plants along the walkways. Find a cascading stream water feature and a gnome village too! Since Anakeesta is on the top of a mountain, you’ll be able to see incredible views of the other mountain peaks everywhere throughout the park. To serve as a reminder of the wildfires that happened in 2016, there is a Memorial Forest Walk where you can learn more about it.
Anakeesta in Gatlinburg has plenty of exciting activities for everyone in your crew to enjoy! Since you know where you’re headed first, browse through our available cabins to book your vacation today!
