Ankeesta Blog

Anakeesta’s new website is live!  We’re excited to share with you our new website that contains much more information about how to play, shop, eat, relax and more at Anakeesta. We also have a photo gallery, pricing, answers to your commonly asked questions and more. Take a moment to check it out and give us your feedback. We want this site to answer all your questions when planning your visit.  We’re Hiring We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic individuals to join our team! If you’re interested you can apply online at www.anakeesta.com. We look forward to seeing you soon and sharing with you the magic that’s in the mountains. 

We’re at the all hands on deck, moving in a million directions, can’t-stop-won’t-stop phase of construction at Anakeesta. Everything is starting to take shape which makes for very exciting days for us. The Chondola Station is nearly complete, Firefly Village is actually starting to look like a village, the tree canopy walk is walkable and the ziplines are being zipped. Our vision is becoming a reality! But the thing that started this whole idea and one of the things we are most excited to share with you is THE VIEW.

When owners Bob and Karen Bentz began designing Anakeesta they envisioned a destination that would truly entertain the whole family. Grandparents themselves, they wanted to create an outdoor experience where a young grandchild would be as delighted as his grandparents, where the elusive teenager would be as enlivened as his parents, and where groups of all ages would experience as much thrill or relaxation in the mountains as they desired.

Thank you for your interest in Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s newest family attraction opening this summer. Anakeesta offers a unique outdoor mountain experience to entertain your whole family. The adventure begins with a 12-minute Chondola ride, the only one of its kind in the US, where you will choose either an open air ride in a quad chairlift or an enclosed ride in a six-person gondola cabin. The Chondola will take you from Downtown Gatlinburg to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain where you will arrive at Firefly Village, a whimsical treehouse-themed village that features local craftsmen, retail and casual dining. From there you can:

Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of Anakeesta Chondola and Retail Construction in Gatlinburg Anakeesta hosted a ground breaking ceremony this past Monday, January 30th.  The event took place at the Anakeesta property at 576 Parkway, across the street from Ripley’s aquarium of the Smokies. Anakeesta is building a 72-acre attraction in Gatlinburg that will offer tree top activities for guests of all ages.  Currently under construction is an aerial lift called a Chondola that will transport guests on a 12-minute scenic ride from the Parkway to Anakeesta Mountain.