Anakeesta Blog

4 need-to-know tips before you visit Anakeesta this winter GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Happy holidays from Anakeesta to you and your family! We’re so excited you have decided to visit the Smokies and Anakeesta. Here are four helpful tips on how to make your visit more enjoyable during this busy holiday season.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (January 2021)– The best place to see New Year’s Eve fireworks in Gatlinburg will have extended hours this coming holiday! Anakeesta is welcoming everyone to the adventure theme park for tons of holiday fun this year from 9 a.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Anakeesta’s stunning views and unique experiences, available to all families and visitors, has landed the mountain in a prestigious international travel magazine!

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A visit to Anakeesta during the Enchanted Winter season is bringing joy and excitement to all!

GATLINBURG, Tennessee. — Winter is in full swing at Anakeesta. Tens of thousands of lights, Smoky Mountain views, and a park full of activities make it easy to spend a full day on the mountain. Use these six pro tips to navigate holiday crowds and get the most from your visit. Plan for Holiday Crowds The holidays are among Gatlinburg’s busiest times. A little prep goes a long way—plan your drive, parking, tickets, meal times, and activities before you arrive. Weekends and dates close to school breaks fill up fastest, so build in flexibility and expect lines to be longer late afternoon into evening. Table of Contents 1) Build Extra Drive Time Into Your Day Map your route from your cabin or hotel before you leave and check live traffic. Expect slower speeds as you approach downtown; give yourself a buffer so you’re not rushing. Put on holiday music and enjoy the city décor—treat the drive as part of the experience rather than a hurdle. 2) Lock In Parking Before You Arrive Download the Gatlinburg app to compare lots and garages and save the walking route to Anakeesta. If your first choice fills up, you’ll already have backups and pricing handy. Snap a photo of your level or stall number and keep your payment ticket somewhere easy to access for a quicker exit. 3) Skip Lines with an Express Pass Purchase an Express Pass to bypass the ticket booth and use the Express Lane to the summit. Have your QR code or confirmation ready before you reach the gate to keep things moving. If you’re visiting with a group, consolidate tickets on one device so everyone scans through together. 4) Avoid Peak Exits (6–9 PM) Crowds spike in the early evening. Instead of heading down during the rush, linger for extra light cycles, shop for gifts, or grab a warm drink and enjoy the views. […]

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A brand new experience is coming to Anakeesta to kick off the park’s Enchanted Winter event! Starting November 11, visitors can enjoy a special sweet treat from five locations throughout the park while taking in new lighting experiences, the Smoky Mountains, seasonal décor, and the cozy winter atmosphere. From Smokehouse restaurant in Firefly Village to the Watering Can in Vista Gardens, guests can embark on the Hot Chocolate Trail. Cozy Drinks with a View After taking a scenic ride through the crisp winter air to get to Anakeesta, stop by Smokehouse to try the Smoked Pecan Hot Chocolate—a warm drink infused with caramel drizzle, house-smoked pecans, whipped cream, and turtle candies. Adults can add a splash of Sugarlands’ Butter Pecan Sippin’ Cream for an extra treat. Guests who ride the Ridge Rambler may want to visit Cliff Top Restaurant to sample the Peanut Butter Surrender, made with Reese’s Pieces, chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, and topped with a Reese’s Cup. Adults can enhance it with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. Sweet Stops Around the Park Need a pick-me-up to power through a full day at Anakeesta? Visit Kephart Café for the Italian Hot Chocolate, topped with whipped cream, chocolate-dipped biscotti, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. After exploring the park’s dazzling lights and festive décor, make your way to the Watering Can—Anakeesta’s newest dining spot in Vista Gardens. Here, you’ll find Mint from the Garden, a refreshing twist featuring crushed Andes Mints, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and fresh mint. Take Home a Delicious Memory This festive new addition is just one of the many activities happening during Enchanted Winter at Anakeesta. Go here to find out more about our seasonal events today!

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us at Anakeesta for a delightfully enchanted breakfast this winter season with a very special guest, Santa Claus himself! On December 7,22,23, kids and their parents can experience a magical moment with Santa Claus and his wife, Mrs. Claus, while up in the mountains at Anakeesta.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — A heated, week-long competition has ended in victory for Anakeesta and one of our top chefs! Anakeesta Chef Cody Sconyers was dubbed the City of Gatlinburg’s ‘BurgerMeister’ after a close competition with 16 other restaurants across the city. Each year, Gatlinburg hosts “GatlinBURGER Week,” a competition which prompts foodies to post the picture of their GatlinBURGER on social media. Anakeesta’s elevated dining establishment, Cliff Top, a renowned Smoky Mountain restaurant, offered guests the chance to eat Sconyers’ special “Tennessee Bourbon Burger.”

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The best place to view the Smoky Mountains and the City of Gatlinburg is at Anakeesta–a mountain-based adventure park in the Smokies. With its stunning views of the fall colors, elevated dining options, and experiences in the forest, this Smoky Mountain adventure park is the perfect place for a birds-eye-view of the mountains.

The Best Times to Visit Gatlinburg and Anakeesta for Fall Foliage Table of Contents GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The best times to visit Gatlinburg for fall foliage is just around the corner, and there’s no better place to experience Gatlinburg or the gorgeous, colorful fall leaves of the Great Smoky Mountains than at Anakeesta! If you’re wondering when the best time to view those stunning changes of the season will be, check out the City of Gatlinburg’s Fall Foliage Report here. What the Gatlinburg’s Fall Foliage Report Says The city’s report offers details on the best times to view foliage and offers insight on other interesting aspects of the city during autumn. According to the report, “Some 100 species of native trees live in the Smokies, the vast majority of which are deciduous. The timing of fall color change depends upon so many variables that the exact dates of “peak” season are impossible to predict in advance. In the Smoky Mountains, autumn color displays above 4,000 feet start as early as mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry, clearly visible from such vantage points as Clingmans Dome Road.” Read: The Most Scenic Viewing Spots in the Smoky Mountains Fall at Anakeesta: Food, Views & Adventures As autumn continues, Anakeesta makes a perfect choice for a fall vacation spot. Visitors to the park can enjoy the wonderful foods and drinks of the season, like a pumpkin spice latte, while taking in the views of the Smokies from Black Bear Village. Adventurous guests can zip through the forest in fall or take a thrilling ride down the mountain on our Rail Runner Mountain Coaster while playing in Firefly Village. Explore Vista Gardens & Dine at Cliff Top Guests can also immerse themselves in the fall experience of the Smoky Mountains within our Vista Gardens. Guests can get up close to […]