Soak Up Summer at Anakeesta

August 4, 2022

It’s not too late to plan your summer fun at Anakeesta, Tennessee’s award-winning outdoor family theme park nestled 600-feet above downtown Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains. Anakeesta is a magical mountaintop destination with unique adventures and experiences for all ages, quaint villages for shopping and dining, and panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and towering mountain peaks stretching as far as North Carolina and Kentucky.

This whimsical, nature-themed adventure park offers a mountain of fun for the whole family, with free admission when you vacation with an Xplorie lodging partner in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Admission to Anakeesta includes all-day unlimited access to treetop forest adventures, gorgeous gardens, an observation tower, and plenty options in Firefly Village, Black Bear Village, Vista Plaza and along the shaded pathways to relax, refuel, and revel in the gorgeous Smoky Mountain scenery.

Anakeesta celebrates each season with fun, festive events – Blooms & Tunes in spring, Autumn at Anakeesta for leaf-peepers, an Enchanted Winter for the holidays, and Summer in the Smokies, a spectacular summertime event with unlimited adventures for your whole tribe.

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What to Expect at Summer in the Smokies 2022

Summer in the Smokies at Anakeesta runs from June 10 through September 4, 2022, with extended park hours from 9AM to 9PM. The event is free with admission to the park and includes all day, come and go reentry access perfect for families with young kids – spend the morning at the park, take an afternoon nap in your mountain cabin, and return to Anakeesta for dinner in a mountain top restaurant, spectacular sunsets over the Smokies, and cooler adventures in fairy lit forests – or stay and spend the entire day!

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Sean Kenney’s Nature Connect Exhibit is an award-winning and record-breaking exhibition making its debut at Anakeesta for Summer in the Smokies 2022. The exhibit features over 15 unique nature exhibits created completely from standard LEGO bricks and designed to inspire the imaginations of young minds. From the giant corn spider in the sweet gum tree on entry at the Parkway to the 70,000 piece peacock and intricate bonsai tree at Clifftop Restaurant, these amazing exhibits are found throughout the park.

Unlimited Rides on the Chondola or Ridge Rambler

Your summer in the Smokies experience begins with a ride up Anakeesta Mountain on the scenic Chondola or Ridge Rambler, with unlimited rides throughout the day included. The Anakeesta Chondola is the world’s only fixed-grip Chondola, and visitors can experience the ride open air (up to 4 passengers) or opt for a wheelchair and stroller friendly enclosed Gondola cabin (up to 6 passengers). If you’re visiting Anakeesta with little kids (or prefer to stay on solid ground!), you can take a journey through the forest to the summit of Anakeesta on the Ridge Rambler adventure vehicle.

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The Sounds of Summer at Black Bear Village

Summer in the Smokies brings some of the best touring bands in Tennessee to Black Bear Village with live music daily on the outdoor stage. There’s lots of place to sit and enjoy laid-back bluegrass and country tunes while the kids beat the summer heat and stay happily entertained in the awesome mountain-themed splash pad right next to the live music stage – be sure to bring a change of clothing. Live music at Summer in the Smokies is always free with your general admission pass.

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Summer Inspired Food, Cocktails & Craft Beers

There are nine restaurants at Anakeesta to grab a quick bite to eat with the family between adventures or enjoy an evening of intimate award-winning dining with sweeping views. Many visitors to Gatlinburg take the scenic ride up Anakeesta for the mountain-top restaurant experience alone! Anakeesta restaurants include The Smokehouse, The Bar at the Top of the World, and Pearl’s Pie in the Sky in Firefly Village, the award-winning Clifftop Restaurant and Kephart Café in Black Bear Village, and the all-new Watering Can Bar at the base of AnaVista Tower, the highest bar in downtown Gatlinburg with the BEST signature cocktails you’ll only find in summer at Anakeesta. While you sip on a Raspberry Mojito, Black Bear Mule, or Summer Mocktail, the kids will be unable to resist Bill’s world-famous lemonade stand nearby!

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Vista Gardens & AnaVista Tower

Vista Gardens is a sensory garden that delights all ages. Explore the meandering pathways with artistic sculptures (including Willow, the 20-foot “keeper of the forest”), cascading waterfalls, whimsical interactive experiences, and thousands of stunning blooms abuzz with birds, bees and beautiful butterflies. Vista Gardens is anchored by AnaVista Tower, the highest viewpoint in downtown Gatlinburg with panoramic 360-degree views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 50 mountain peaks as far as Kentucky and North Carolina. Get ready for an 84 step climb to reach the top of AnaVista Tower!

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Forest Adventures for All Ages

Vista Gardens features two fabulous forest adventures for the kids. The BearVenture Challenge Course is a black-bear themed course geared to smaller kids or take it next level on the TreeVenture Challenge Course with three interactive treehouses, six netted bridges and endless exploration for kids with a spirit of adventure. The 16-bridge Treetop Skywalk is the longest tree-based skywalk in North America and one of the top attractions at Anakeesta. Before the adventure begins let the kids experience gem mining (additional fee applies) and playtime at the Treehouse Village Playground, then wind your way along the hanging bridges through canopies of trees back to Firefly Village.

The Treetop Skywalk should be included in your daytime and nighttime activities at Anakeesta – visitors regularly spot bears in the forest below and by night, Treetop Skywalk is a whimsical wonderland of fairy lights not to be missed.

Other Anakeesta Attractions

General admission to Anakeesta does not include the award-winning Dueling Zipline Adventure Course or the Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. Anakeesta’s Dueling Zipline Adventure takes you on a side-by-side guided zip tour through the Smokies and is ranked one of the best zipline courses in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The Anakeesta Rail Runner is the only single rail mountain coaster of its kind in the US for a high-speed journey of twists and turns through the trees from the top of Anakeesta to the base, with a scenic ride back up. Ride solo or tandem with the kids, control your own speed and experience a one-of-a-kind adventure at Anakeesta.

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