Blog - Latest News and Updates - Gatlinburg TN

Feb

Three Perfect Date Nights at Anakeesta

February 1, 2024

It’s the month of love, and many of you may be planning a romantic vacation to the Smoky Mountains or taking your loved one to Gatlinburg for Valentine’s Day. First of all, congratulations, you’ve picked the perfect location! (Look at you, already scoring some points!) Next, you’ll want to plan a few special activities. (You know by now you get extra points for anything planned and booked in advance.) We know that no two lovebirds are alike. That’s why we’ve curated three perfect date night options at Anakeesta to make your planning a bit easier.

Jan

Kids enjoy crafts during Summer in the Smokies

Educational Field Trips to Gatlinburg and the Smokies

January 30, 2024

While Gatlinburg is known to be an entertainment mecca and nature-lovers haven, it is also a great education destination (with entertainment and nature mixed in, of course!) With a mix of award-winning museums and history steeped into its roots, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains are full of unique opportunities for educational and fun field trips.

Jan

Spring Break in the Smokies

January 19, 2024

Something they don’t tell you about being a parent is that you constantly have to be thinking in the present and the future. For example, presently I am thinking about what ingredients I have at home to make dinner, when am I supposed to give the dog his medicine and what time do I need to leave the house to get to basketball on time. Simultaneously I’m thinking about what summer camps my kids will want to take, when is their next dentist appointment and what the heck are we going to do for Spring Break?!

Jan

Pay for a day, Adventure all year in the Great Smoky Mountains

January 2, 2024

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Jan. 1, 2024) – The Christmas season may be behind us, but Anakeesta has a gift for Tennessee residents that will keep giving all year round. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, people who live in Tennessee will be able to purchase a Tennessee Resident Pass for the same price as a single-day, general admission ticket and if redeemed in-park before Mar. 3, they will receive an annual pass with all its benefits. All Annual Pass perks will be honored, such as 20% off all in-park purchases including shopping and dining, excluding alcohol; adventure add-ons like our Dueling Ziplines and Astra Lumina.

Oct

Anakeesta offers local residents discounted day pass in November 2023

October 26, 2023

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (October 26, 2023) – Local days are back! Anakeesta is dedicated to giving back to our workforce, the Smoky Mountain community, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year, we are partnering with one of the major fundraising groups for the park while giving residents a chance to visit at a discounted rate.

Aug

Anakeesta Team, Top Employees Honored at Sevier County Awards

August 29, 2023

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Aug. 24, 2023) – Anakeesta is proud to announce big honors at the annual Sevier County Hospitality & Tourism Alliance’s Stars of the Industry Awards. The award ceremony was held Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge.

Aug

Best Ziplines and Coasters for the Family in Gatlinburg

August 7, 2023

Best Ziplines and Coasters for the Family in Gatlinburg GATLINBURG, Tenn. (August 7, 2023) Calling all my fellow thrill seekers! You didn’t come to the mountains to relax, you came for adventure. You came for an experience, an experience you can share with your whole family. If that is you then hold on tight and follow meeeee. Table of Contents Dueling Zipline Adventure at Anakeesta Anakeesta has something for everyone. Which is great for a family that has a mix of relaxers and adventurers. Send the relaxers one way, while you head to the Dueling Ziplines. On this course you literally zip from tree to tree which gives you such a unique vantage point of the mountains. There are three dual lines and even some rappels along the course to give an extra surge of adrenaline. This is a great option if you want to zipline but don’t want to make a day of it. Age Requirement: 7 or older and at least 70 lbs. Tip: If you purchase your ticket online (which is strongly encouraged because spaces fill up) you get an express pass to get to the top at no additional cost. Rail Runner Smoky Mountain Coaster Anakeesta’s Rail Runner offers a bit of a choose-your–own-adventure ride. You can fly down the 1600 foot course navigating the twists and turns at up to 25 mph or, since you control your own speed, you can make it a slower scenic ride down the mountain. This is the perfect option for families with young children because you can ride tandem with kids as young as three years old. It’s perfect for the want-to-be thrill seeker that still wants to maintain a little bit of control. And don’t worry, they don’t leave you at the bottom of the mountain. After the ride down you get to enjoy a nice scenic ride back to the top. Age Requirement: 3-7 can ride tandem. 7 and older can ride solo. Tip: You cannot pre purchase tickets, so purchase them as soon as you arrive. […]

Jul

Top 5 Tips and Tricks to Visit Anakeesta

July 25, 2023

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (September 22, 2025) – Planning a family trip can be overwhelming. There’s only so much you can plan for, especially if it’s a place you’ve never been. The best source of insider tips is always from your friends who have been there and learned firsthand a few nuggets of insider knowledge to pass along. I’m here to be that friend! Table of Contents Plan Ahead If you’ve been to Gatlinburg in the summer, then you know you’re going to be battling the crowds. One way to avoid them is to go ahead and buy your Anakeesta tickets online. If you plan to zipline you can also purchase those tickets online as well as reserve your time. Be sure to check the height/weight/age restrictions for the zipline as well. Another way to plan ahead is to decide how you’ll get up the mountain before you arrive, so you know exactly what line to get in. You can choose from an open-air 4-person chair with a bar (picture a ski-lift), an enclosed gondola cabin with seating for 6 or ride the Ridge Rambler, a passenger truck that takes you on a scenic guided tour through the forest to the summit. When my kids were young, I opted for the gondola or Ridge Rambler which my truck-loving son loved. Now that my kids are a little older, they love the ski-lift. Lastly, check the website for weather updates. If there are strong storms or wind in the area it could affect hours of operation. Come Hungry Anakeesta has several delicious restaurants that offer some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains! That amazing combo means they are popular and can sometimes have long wait times. So go ahead and put your name on the waitlist of the restaurant you choose as soon as you arrive. That way you can enjoy the mountain fun until your table is ready. There are […]

Jul

Children play on the splash pad at Anakeesta

Three Ways to beat the heat with your kids in Gatlinburg

July 4, 2023

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (July 4, 2025) – Congratulations fellow parents, we’ve made it halfway through summer! I believe I’ve answered “what are we doing today?” 47 times, opened 234 popsicles and applied sunscreen to an unwilling child 93 times. But wait….there’s more! Table of Contents Hike to Nature’s Water Park Mother nature really shows off her entertaining skills in the summer months! An ice cold waterfall is the perfect way to stay cool, and the Smoky Mountains are home to some very impressive (and chilly!) waterfalls. One of the most popular falls is Laurel Falls, an 80-foot. waterfall that you can reach by a paved walk that’s a little over a mile long. Even though it’s paved there are still some more treacherous sections of the hike so I would save this one for older (aka more sure footed) kids. It can get pretty crowded in the summer so I suggest going in the morning or early evening to avoid the crowds. For a little easier trek, try Cataract Falls which is only ¾ of a mile round trip. This is a great option if you have young kids because while it’s a short and easy walk it also has some fun adventures like walking through a sycamore tree and crossing an old bridge. A solid classic is Abram Falls in Cades Cove. Lace those hiking boots up because this one is a little over 5 miles round trip but the views are worth it! The hike itself is beautiful and easy to follow. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the top as you take in the breathtaking views. Take in a show Let someone else entertain my kids? Yes please. Make it air conditioned and serve a meal I don’t have to prepare? Heck yeah! At Anakeesta, we offer seasonal shows that rotate throughout the year. These shows can include United Tastes of America, a food tour of the states, Anakeesta’s […]

Apr

Anakeesta To Host Local Appreciation Days in May 2023

April 24, 2023

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (April 26, 2023) – Local days are back! Anakeesta is home to the best events in Gatlinburg, and we’re dedicated to giving back to our workforce, the Smoky Mountain community, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year, we are partnering with one of the major fundraising groups for the park all while giving residents a chance to visit at a discounted rate.

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