Anakeesta & Gatlinburg: Mountain Adventures, Incredible Views & Great Places to Eat

There’s a reason Gatlinburg remains one of the most popular gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains. Between the mountain scenery, walkable downtown, endless attractions and a food scene filled with everything from Southern breakfasts to upscale steakhouses, it’s easy to fill an entire vacation without venturing far from town.

And sitting high above the heart of it all is Anakeesta, one of Gatlinburg’s signature mountain attractions.

Whether you’re planning a family getaway, couples retreat or a few relaxing days tucked away in a Smoky Mountain cabin, here’s how to make Anakeesta and Gatlinburg part of an unforgettable Tennessee escape.

Start Your Adventure High Above Gatlinburg

Located directly along the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, Anakeesta is a mountaintop adventure park situated roughly 600 feet above the city and spread across more than 90 acres of Smoky Mountain forest.

Getting there is part of the experience.

Visitors can ride the Crystal Express Gondola from downtown Gatlinburg to the mountaintop. Introduced as part of Anakeesta’s major expansion, the new system features 56 all-glass cabins with panoramic views during the approximately four-minute journey to the summit. Visit the Anakeesta website by clicking Here. 

Once you reach the top, slow down for a minute. The combination of downtown Gatlinburg below and layers of Smoky Mountain ridgelines stretching into the distance is exactly the kind of scenery people come to East Tennessee to experience.

Walk Through the Treetops

One of Anakeesta’s most recognizable attractions is the Treetop Skywalk.

The experience takes visitors across a series of suspended bridges high within the forest canopy. The expanded Skywalk includes 16 hanging bridges stretching more than 1,000 feet through the trees, with sections roughly 50 to 60 feet above the forest floor.

It’s adventurous without requiring you to strap into a roller coaster, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the mountain.

For another perspective, head to AnaVista Tower. After climbing 86 steps to the observation platform, you’re rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views of the Smokies. Interpretive signs help identify surrounding peaks and mountain ranges, while glass-floor sections offer a completely different view straight down into Vista Gardens.

Add a Little Adrenaline

If simply admiring the mountains isn’t enough, Anakeesta has plenty of ways to pick up the pace.

The Rail Runner Mountain Coaster sends riders down 1,600 feet of track through the forest, reaching speeds of up to 25 mph. Visitors can also experience the Hellbender Mountain Coaster or take things even higher with Anakeesta’s Dueling Zipline Adventure.

Families can balance the bigger thrills with attractions such as TreeVenture, BirdVenture, gem mining and the walking paths throughout Vista Gardens.

The result is a destination that can work surprisingly well for different types of travelers. One person can chase mountain-coaster thrills while another is perfectly content finding an overlook and enjoying the scenery.

Anakeesta Has Even More to Experience in 2026

Anakeesta has undergone some significant changes as part of its $100 million “Making More Magic” expansion, a five-year project scheduled to continue through 2030.

Phase One has brought the new Crystal Express Gondola, a reimagined Firefly Village and an expanded Treetop Skywalk.

One of the most interesting additions is the Firefly Experience, a year-round nighttime attraction inspired by the synchronous fireflies found in the Great Smoky Mountains. Lighting effects recreate the glowing patterns of the fireflies along the elevated forest pathways.

That makes staying until evening especially appealing.

Watch the mountains change as the sun begins to disappear, enjoy dinner or drinks overlooking the Smokies and then experience Anakeesta after dark.

Don’t Forget About the Food on the Mountain

You don’t necessarily have to head back into Gatlinburg when hunger hits.

Anakeesta has multiple places to grab a meal, snack or drink, ranging from quick bites to sit-down dining. Cliff Top offers an elevated dining experience with steaks, burgers, salads and mountain views, while Smokehouse brings Southern barbecue into the mix. Kephart Café and several smaller spots provide additional options when you’d rather grab something quickly and continue exploring.

But Gatlinburg’s restaurant scene is worth saving some room for.

Make Breakfast Part of the Gatlinburg Experience

A big Smoky Mountain breakfast almost feels mandatory while you’re here.

Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is one of the city’s most popular breakfast destinations and leans heavily into the rustic mountain atmosphere. Expect hearty Southern and Appalachian-inspired breakfast dishes, big portions and the kind of meal that can fuel several hours of walking around Gatlinburg.

Another classic option is Log Cabin Pancake House, where the cabin-style dining room fits right into a Smoky Mountain vacation. Pancakes, French toast, biscuits, omelets and traditional Southern breakfast plates make it an easy stop before heading into town or up the mountain.

A good strategy is to grab breakfast early, explore Anakeesta during the morning and afternoon, and return to Gatlinburg for dinner.

Where to Eat After Anakeesta

After spending several hours exploring the mountain, Gatlinburg has plenty of choices for a relaxing dinner.

Seafood lovers can check out Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar along the Parkway. Its seafood-focused menu, raw bar and riverside setting make it a good choice when you’re looking for something a little more elevated after a day outdoors.

For steak, Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse combines steaks and seafood with the lodge-inspired atmosphere that fits naturally into a Smoky Mountain getaway.

And for a special dinner away from some of the activity along the Parkway, The Greenbrier offers an upscale steakhouse experience inside a historic mountain setting. It’s particularly well suited for couples, celebrations or simply ending a vacation day with a slower, more refined meal.

Spend Some Time Exploring Downtown Gatlinburg

One of the advantages of visiting Anakeesta is its location.

The entrance sits at 576 Parkway in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, which means you can easily combine the attraction with an afternoon or evening exploring town.

Walk the Parkway, browse the shops, stop for something sweet, sample some of Gatlinburg’s local flavors or simply wander until you find somewhere interesting.

And just beyond the activity of downtown lies the reason Gatlinburg became such a destination in the first place: the Great Smoky Mountains.

Turn a Day at Anakeesta Into a Smoky Mountain Getaway

You could visit Anakeesta and Gatlinburg for a single day, but the Smokies are much better when you don’t have to rush.

Spend the morning enjoying coffee from your cabin. Head into Gatlinburg for breakfast. Ride the gondola to Anakeesta and spend the afternoon walking through the treetops, riding a mountain coaster and taking in the views. Stay long enough to watch the mountain transform after sunset, then finish the evening with dinner downtown.

The next morning, the mountains are still waiting.

That’s what makes the Gatlinburg area such an easy place to turn a simple weekend into a full Smoky Mountain vacation.

Adventure above the city. Eat your way through Gatlinburg. Then retreat to the peace and quiet of your cabin and do it all over again tomorrow. Curious about pricing & more? Click Here.

 

Ready to get your Anakeesta Adventure Started? Book One of these Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals right down the street. One of the cabins evens overlooks Anakeesta. The park can been seen glowing brightly at night and during the day.

 

Sunrise Summit Overlooking Anakeesta

 

Gatlinburg Cabin #1 in Gatlinburg