A local offers advice on mistakes to avoid to make the most of your next trip to Anakeesta
It arrived one day without much fanfare, just seemingly appearing on top of the mountain. Self-billed as Gatlinburg’s “theme park”, there wasn’t a lot to do at Anakeesta that first season. However, a program of steady improvements has seen expansion nearly every season.
Anakeesta’s appearance proved to be a thunderbolt, prompting other attractions in a similar vein – like Ober Mountain and the SkyPark – to up their respective gains. But as big as Anakeesta has been in Gatlinburg, it’s not a place that welcomes – in my opinion – frequent visits. Its business model – which involves paying a cover charge for the right to go up the mountain and spend more money – is better served for the occasional visitor.
But you’ve got to make each Anakeesta visit count. And so, it’s important that when you go, don’t make rookie mistakes.
1. Don’t be in a hurry
While originally billed as a theme park, Anakeesta is not Dollywood, King’s Island or even Holiday World in majestic Santa Claus, Indiana. Anakeesta is not a place where you rush from ride to ride, trying to rack up as many experiences as possible. When done properly, Anakeesta is a place of leisure. Your chief activity should be looking at stuff. What Anakeesta has over the above-mentioned parks, is a rare scenic beauty. At Anakeesta, you should soak in majestic views at the observation tower. You should pull up a chair by the fire pit and just vibe hard while pondering the beauty of the mountains. Get a table at the Clifftop Restaurant and take in the views while following that up with a drink at the Bar at the Top of the World. Anakeesta – when done properly – is about as zen as you’re gonna get at a Smoky Mountain attraction.
2. Don’t bring young children
This isn’t one of those “you shouldn’t bring kids because they might annoy other adults” situations. But it will give you a break for your wallet.
When I was a kid and mom was dating my future step-dad, Joe, they used to go for long drives. It was their idea of family bonding, I suppose. Loading into the car and just driving around looking at the scenery. All were very beautiful. But it was also maybe the most bored I’ve been in my life. Do you know how spending hours just looking at scenery affects a child? You’re so bored, time itself bends, and it feels like minutes stretch into hours and hours stretch into separate, miserable eternities.
Now, Anakeesta does have activities for kids. But as a parent, it’s almost worse because of the temptations. The zipline, the mountain coasters, the Astra Lumina Night Walk and even gem mining are available at extra costs. There are so many times you’re going to want to pay $17 for your kids to ride the five-minute mountain coaster. In my experience, things can add up quickly.
Are there things they can do for free? Sure, but they only are going to be satisfied with so many tree walks, with so many trips to the aviary or play areas. You’re better off if you have someone who can watch the kids back at the hotel pool or take them mini-golfing or something while the adults go up the mountain and enjoy the overall vibe.
3. Don’t ride the Chondola down the mountain until after dark
Forget the zip lines, the mountain coaster and everything else. The best ride in the park is the Chondola chair lift coming down the mountain, especially once the crowds have thinned you have the mountainside somewhat to yourself with the lights of Gatlinburg approaching from a distance. It’s beautiful and peaceful. I would ride back up the mountain just to get a chance to ride back down.
4. Don’t ride the Ridge Rambler, unless you have to
While the Chondola does have accessible cars for guests with mobility issues going up the mountain, there is an option for guests who prefer not to dangle precariously in the air. The Ridge Ramblers are large trucks that ferry guests up and down the mountain in 30-minute intervals.
If you need the Ramblers for accessibility reasons or if you’re afraid of heights, that’s what it’s there for. But some people consider the Rambler a way to skip lines to ride the Chondola and that is a mistake. The Chondola is easily the best ride in the park. The Rambler, however, is a meandering drive up a series of switchbacks. There are many more scenic rides. If you have an option, you should only choose the Rambler in the case of inclement weather.
5. Don’t eat before you go
When we’re doing a family trip to Dollywood or the like, we’ll often eat beforehand just to save a meal in the park. It’s not that the Dollywood food options are bad, it’s just that there is a lot more to Dollywood than just the dining experiences. At Anakeesta, a meal and a drink at one of several scenic facilities is a large part of the visit. If you’re not eating a meal or having a drink from the scenic overlook, you’re missing out on a massive percentage of the experience.
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