When you’re visiting Gatlinburg, TN, one of the most relaxing things you can do is to find a vantage point where you can marvel at the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. With 360-degree views of the Smokies, AnaVista Tower makes it easy for couples, families, and groups of friends to truly appreciate the rugged mountains and expansive forests surrounding Gatlinburg.
If you’re looking for observation towers with 360-degree views of Gatlinburg or the Smokies, take a moment to learn more about Anakeesta’s AnaVista Tower.
What Is AnaVista Tower?
Located at Anakeesta in downtown Gatlinburg, AnaVista Tower is an observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains.
Alongside taking in a view of the Smokies, you can see all of downtown Gatlinburg from the tower’s top. Vista Gardens, a Level II ArbNet Accredited Arboretum, surrounds the base of the tower and gives visitors the chance to take a sensory garden walk before or after they visit the top of the tower.
Families can also find lots of adventure zones and activities for small children nearby!
3 Fun Facts About AnaVista Tower
Interested in learning more about AnaVista Tower? Check out our top three fun facts about our Gatlinburg observation tower below:
1. AnaVista Tower Is the Highest Point in Downtown Gatlinburg
Nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, the 60-foot AnaVista Tower is the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg.
While the Gatlinburg Space Needle is 407 feet tall, AnaVista Tower is built atop Anakeesta Mountain, with the tower 600 feet above Gatlinburg and 1,947 feet above sea level. The location and height of AnaVista Tower make it the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg, offering unbeatable aerial views of the city and the Smokies.
2. AnaVista Gives You Views of Three States
From the top of AnaVista Tower, visitors can see Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
As you look out at all three states, you’ll see over 50 peaks and mountain ranges. If you’d like to dive deeper into the terrain, the tower has signs to help you identify notable parts of the landscape. With so much to see, you won’t be disappointed with the scenic views of the Smokies that the tower offers!
3. AnaVista Tower Observation Deck Acts as a Compass and Is Designed to Resemble a Flower
AnaVista Tower’s observation deck has a compass-like design, with beams marked with cardinal and internal cardinal signage. This signage allows visitors to easily tell which direction they’re looking.
The bowed beams that surround the tower cause it to resemble a flower in bloom, making it the perfect centerpiece for Vista Gardens. As an extra touch, AnaVista Tower’s glass floors let you peer straight down at the landscaped petals at its base.
5 Tips for Taking Pictures From the Top of AnaVista Tower
If you have a budding professional photographer in your family or simply want to take the most Instagrammable photographs possible, AnaVista Tower offers exceptional views that are ideal for photography. Below, you can find some tips for taking the best-looking AnaVista Tower photographs:
Visit During Golden Hour: Golden hour, the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, provides soft, warm lighting that enhances the natural beauty of the landscape. Plan to visit about an hour before sunset for excellent group and scenic photos.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask a Staff Member to Take a Picture: If you’d like to take a group photo but don’t want to leave anyone out of it, please feel free to ask a staff member to take the picture for you. Group pictures are very popular at the top of the observation deck, and our team will be happy to take a picture for you with your phone or camera.
Capture the Scene in Panorama Mode: To encompass the vastness of the Smoky Mountains or the expansive view of Gatlinburg, use your camera's panorama feature. This technique allows you to capture a wide-angle image that showcases the full scope of the surroundings.
Utilize Leading Lines for Composition: While you choose your shot, incorporate elements like pathways, roads, or natural ridgelines to guide the viewer's eye through the image. These lines can add depth and perspective, making the photograph more dynamic.
Mind the Glass Floor When Photographing Through It: If AnaVista Tower's glass floor is part of your photo composition, ensure the area is clean and free of reflections. Position your camera directly above the glass, and consider using a lens hood or a piece of black cloth to reduce glare and reflections.
FAQs About AnaVista Tower
Want to know more about AnaVista Tower? Check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about AnaVista Tower below:
When Is the Best Time to Visit AnaVista Tower?
You can visit AnaVista Tower at any time during the day and be treated to stunning views of the Smokies. However, sunset tends to be the most popular time, as visitors can watch as the setting sun casts red and golden rays over the forest. This time period is also popular for tower-top proposals! We recommend fall proposals in particular.
If you’d like to avoid crowds, we’d recommend going before sunset. When you want to see all of downtown Gatlinburg lit up in lights, you should plan to visit after sunset.
What Time of Year Is Best for Visiting AnaVista Tower?
Each season offers something unique for visitors to see from the top of our observatory tower. Spring and summer tend to be best for visitors who want to see the Smokies at their greenest.
In the fall, you can see the colors of the forest’s leaves change from vibrant greens to an autumn palette of reds, yellows, and oranges. During the winter, you’ll find a starker landscape that highlights oak trees and evergreen pines, and if it snows, you’ll be presented with a winter wonderland.
How to Get to AnaVista Tower Gondola?
Getting to AnaVista Tower starts with taking Anakeesta’s famous gondola, “The Crystal Express” up Anakeesta Mountain to Firefly Village. This Gondola is located at 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, with plenty of convenient parking options nearby.
On the Gondola ride, you’ll ride 600 feet up to the summit of the mountain, taking in the scenery in an all-glass gondola cabin that seats six people. You can also ride to the top in our Ridge Rambler vehicles.
After you arrive at the summit, you can follow the main path around Black Bear Village, where you’ll see clear signage pointing you to pathways leading to the tower. The 60-foot tower is also easy to spot, making it easy for anyone to find their way to it.
Is AnaVista Tower Included With Admission?
Yes, access to AnaVista Tower is included in a general admission ticket.
Is AnaVista Tower Wheelchair Accessible?
Unfortunately, AnaVista Tower isn’t wheelchair accessible because it only has stairs leading to the top. However, many other areas of the park are wheelchair accessible, such as Black Bear Village, scenic viewing platforms, FireFly village shops, and the dining pavilion.
See the Highest Point in Downtown Gatlinburg for Yourself at Ankeesta
If you’re interested in visiting our observation tower in Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is ready to welcome you to our mountain adventure park. Alongside our observatory tower and gardens, we offer a variety of shopping and dining options for those wanting a laid-back mountaintop experience. You can also check out our mountain coasters, dueling ziplines, adventure zones, and TreeTop Skywalk while visiting the park!
Learn more about AnaVista Tower and our other attractions today. If you’re ready to climb to the top of the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg, review our ticket options.
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