Anakeesta Announces Largest Expansion since opening in 2017
Anakeesta Expansion
Gatlinburg Adventure Theme Park embarks on a $34 Million multi-phased expansion project
Anakeesta, the premier entertainment destination in the Great Smoky Mountains, has opened three exciting new experiences for adventure seekers, and budding young nature enthusiasts. The brand-new Stone Village expansion, which includes the Hellbender Smoky Mountain Coaster and BirdVenture, an immersive and educational space for children.
All three developments are part of Anakeesta’s ongoing multi-year $34 million expansion marking a significant milestone for the destination, securing its reputation as a unique adventure experience with unforgettable thrills and immersive educational encounters with unforgettable views of the Smokies.
“From day one, our mission at Anakeesta was to deliver on an experience that embraces nature, seamlessly blending the landscape and breathtaking views to create unforgettable family memories,” said founding partner, Bob Bentz, “As a must-visit destination in Tennessee, we are dedicated to continuously enhancing the guest experience. With irresistible thrills, entertainment, and immersive adventures, our park has become a can’t-miss destination for visitors seeking the ultimate Great Smoky Mountain escape.”
Stone Village transports guests to an enchanting European inspired realm that’s been meticulously designed to embody the timeless charm of an old world era. Within the village, guests can shop for specialty merchandise at Fur Trader, the largest retail shop in all of Anakeesta. Guests also enjoy Alpine eats and treats at a themed eatery while taking in live music and entertainment year-round. The first phase of Stone Village is NOW OPEN!
Families are having a real hoot with the opening of BirdVenture, an aviary-inspired adventure zone where guests play and imagine life as a bird in the Smokies. Kids of all ages explore three colorful, larger-than-life bird houses, a dozen interactive adventure zones, and seven giant serpentine slides with light features that wind more than 50 feet down the mountain! This unique series of slide paths marks another first of its kind in the United States.
Guests seeking more adrenaline can hop on Anakeesta’s new heart pounding double-rail mountain coaster, Hellbender Smoky Mountain Coaster. Named after the salamander species native to the Smoky Mountains, Hellbender offers guests an adrenaline-pumping ride as they navigate a steep mountain incline, slither through twists and turns, and take in breathtaking scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hellbender winds guests down 3,350 feet of track and through 90-degree, 270-degree turns and a 360-degree spin before returning to the summit of Anakeesta.