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Anakeesta Blog

Exciting news and events! We are happy to share the latest updates with you!

Jan
3
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Pay for a Day, Adventure All Year in Our Smoky Mountains Park

January 3, 2025

This offer will resume in 2027—this is currently paused due to our ongoing renovations. To read more, check out our blog outlining our future plans! Anakeesta’s pay-for-a-day special is back! Tennessee residents receive Annual Pass benefits for the price of general admission tickets to our Smoky Mountain adventure park. This 2025 savings event runs from Jan. 3 to Mar. 16, while supplies last. So if your New Year’s resolution is to explore, make memories, or save money, act fast and book your tickets today. 

Dec
6
Colonel Candy Cane

A Very Merry Anakeesta Christmas

December 6, 2024

Anakeesta decks the halls every Christmas to bring you a family-friendly holiday extravaganza that the entire family will remember for years to come. If you’re visiting the Smokies this winter and are looking for Christmas events in or near Gatlinburg, TN, Anakeesta has you covered. Not only will you have a front-row seat to the beauty of the Smoky Mountains in the winter, but you’ll also enjoy one of our most cherished events. 

Nov
21
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Enchanted Christmas Returns to the Great Smoky Mountains

November 21, 2024

Enchanted Christmas Returns to the Great Smoky Mountains in 2026 The magic of Christmas comes alive once again in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains! From November 15 through January 5, 2026, Anakeesta invites visitors to experience the cherished annual tradition of Enchanted Christmas. This event transforms the mountaintop into a winter wonderland filled with festive activities, stunning decorations, and heartwarming experiences for the whole family. Table of Contents Explore our Christmas Villages Stroll through Anakeesta’s charming Christmas villages, each with its own unique theme: Santa’s Sleigh and Meet-and-Greet: Don’t miss the chance to see Santa’s magical sleigh and take a photo with Kris Kringle himself during his special appearances. European Holiday Hamlet: Enjoy the elegance of a timeless European holiday setting. Arctic Alley: Brave the chilly yet colorful ambiance of this frosty-themed village. Whimsical Christmas Garden: Dance among dazzling holiday lights in this playful garden. AnaVista Tower: Climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views of downtown Gatlinburg and even more holiday cheer. New Holiday Entertainment at Anakeesta This year, Anakeesta has refreshed its lineup with new entertainment, culinary delights, and interactive experiences: Colonel Candy Cane: Meet this larger-than-life toy soldier who will be patrolling the pathways, ready to welcome guests with festive flair. Anakeesta Carolers: Back by popular demand, these talented singers will serenade visitors with timeless holiday tunes, filling the air with festive spirit. Stone Village and Toyland Tales: Step into a magical Christmas town and follow the antics of Tinsel, Sprinkle, Jingle, and Jangle as they race to repair Santa’s Magic-O-Matic Dispenser. Holiday Hijinx: Join Holly and Jolly, Anakeesta’s game-loving elf duo, for a series of fun-filled Christmas party games that will have everyone laughing. Curated Holiday Menus Food lovers are in for a treat with Anakeesta’s carefully curated holiday menus. This year’s offerings include: Clifftop Restaurant: Savor elevated dishes such as Beef or Salmon Wellington paired with […]

Nov
15
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Anakeesta Offers Local Residents Discounted Day Pass in November 2024

November 15, 2024

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Nov. 15, 2024) – Local days are back! Anakeesta is dedicated to giving back to our workforce and the East Tennessee community. This year, we are partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and their efforts to help areas impacted by Hurricane Helene while giving residents a chance to visit at a discounted rate.

Oct
31
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Anakeesta Donates $33K+ for East TN Recovery via Cares Initiative

October 31, 2024

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Oct. 30, 2024) –  Anakeesta, East Tennessee’s premier outdoor adventure park, is proud to announce a $33,263 donation to support recovery efforts in Cocke County and surrounding East Tennessee communities. The funds were raised through Anakeesta’s “Anakeesta Cares” initiative from October 1 to October 15. This money will be distributed to three local charities dedicated to rebuilding and aiding those affected by recent challenges in the region. 

Oct
31
A Couple takes in the Smoky Mountain views on top of AnaVista Tower

A Family Adventure Awaits at Anakeesta: Something for Everyone!

October 31, 2024

As a mom, planning a family outing that everyone will enjoy can be a real challenge. But when we visited Anakeesta, I quickly realized that this mountain-top attraction is an absolute gem for families! From thrilling outdoor adventures to serene nature trails and live entertainment, Anakeesta has activities and experiences that keep the whole family entertained and, most importantly, happy. If you’re looking for a day of fun, nature, and family bonding, Anakeesta is a must. Here’s a little peek at what we loved most—and why we can’t wait to go back! (And don’t forget to check out Anakeesta.com for even more details and planning tips!)

Oct
31
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Fall Magic in the Smoky Mountains: Evening at Anakeesta

October 31, 2024

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Anakeesta stands as a mountain-top gem that promises more than just breathtaking views—it’s an experience, a connection to nature, and, in the autumn, an immersion in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. Right now, fall is in full swing, with the fiery colors of the season painting the mountains in hues of red, gold, and orange. And there’s no better place to take it all in than Anakeesta, where you can savor the scenery, enjoy a memorable meal, and explore an enchanting world of light with Astra Lumina. October is peak leaf season in Tennessee, and visitors flock to Anakeesta to take advantage of the mountain’s sweeping, panoramic views. 

Oct
11
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The 6 Best Places To See Fall Foliage at Anakeesta

October 11, 2024

The 6 Best Places to See Fall Foliage at Anakeesta (Plus When to Catch Peak Color)  We’ve got views of fall foliage galore at Anakeesta, making it the perfect place to visit during your autumn vacation to the Smoky Mountains. Located at the top of a ridge, we offer stunning views of those red and gold leaves that draw so many people to Gatlinburg. Get the most out of your trip to Anakeesta by making sure you experience our five favorite ways to view fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. Table of Contents Quick Timing Guide: When is Peak Fall Foliage in Gatlinburg, TN? Peak color in the Smokies staggers by elevation. As a rule of thumb: Higher elevations (above ~4,000 ft): late September–mid October Mid elevations (2,500–4,000 ft): mid–late October Lower elevations & Gatlinburg (~1,200–2,000 ft): late October–early November Warm spells and rain can shift dates slightly year to year, so use our Fall Foliage Map for Gatlinburg, TN to check current conditions before you come. 1) AnaVista Tower (Panoramic Smokies Views) Why it’s special: The highest man-made point in downtown Gatlinburg gives you an unobstructed, 360° view of Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage—on clear days you can see all the way to Kentucky.Best time: Golden hour (about an hour after sunrise or before sunset) for long shadows and saturated color. 2) Treetop Skywalk Why it’s special: A series of suspension bridges inside the forest canopy puts you eye-level with Smoky Mountains fall foliage.Best time: Midday, when the sun filters through leaves for that stained-glass glow.Pro tip: Look down—you may spot wildlife moving through the understory. 3) Vista Gardens Why it’s special: Meandering paths, overlooks, and seasonal plantings create layered color—mountain vistas ahead, curated gardens at your feet.Best time: Late afternoon for warm backlight on the ridgelines. Read our guide about which flowers to expect in the Smoky Mountains, season by season.  4) Heart […]

Feb
8
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A Seasonal Guide to East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains 

February 8, 2024

If you’ve been to East Tennessee enough times you know that the best way to answer the question “What should we do in Gatlinburg?” is with the follow up question of “when are you going?” While Tennessee is truly a year-round vacation destination, the Smoky Mountain town shows off in different ways each season. And just like the changing seasons, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s award-winning mountaintop adventure park, offers seasonal events and activities to enhance your mountain experience.  Spring in East Tennessee Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are in bloom in the spring! Many of the more than 1,500 flowering plants in the Smokies reach full bloom between March and June making it the premier art show you don’t want to miss.  Speaking of flowers, Anakeesta celebrates spring with their event  “Blooms and Tunes.”  The mountain explodes with color with its larger-than-life spring-themed art installations, daily live music and entertainment, chef-inspired seasonal menu items and thousands of new blooms in Vista Gardens. Spring is also a great time to experience Astra Lumina, a night time experience of walking among the stars that combines lights, music and storytelling set in the beauty of nature.  Summer in East Tennessee Summer goals are to get outside and cool off whenever you can. The Smoky Mountains boasts beautiful waterfall hikes including the popular Laurel Falls Trail and Ramsey Cascades, the highest waterfall in the park. If you’re more interested in the views than the hike to get there, then take a scenic drive through Roaring Fork Nature Trail or Cades Cove Loop Road, both of which have plenty of spots to park and enjoy a picnic lunch with a view.   A summer trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without a visit to Anakeesta. This year’s new summer event, United Tastes of America, a one-of-a-kind food and drink festival, will feature different regional favorites from across the country. There will also be themed-entertainment […]