All About the Expansion for Anakeesta in Gatlinburg

No trip to the Smokies is complete without an afternoon at Anakeesta! This family adventure park is filled with fun things to do, and there are even more on the way this upcoming year. To help you plan for a successful visit to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, here’s everything you need to know about the exciting expansion!

Vista Garden Walk Expansion

The newly extended Vista Garden Walk is one of the parts of the Anakeesta expansion that is currently open! It has 5,000 new flowers, 800 shrubs, and 250 trees. There are also several more twigloos, gazebos, and a Willow Man sculpture. You’ll also find winding pathways lead to treehouses, natural musical instruments, and challenge courses. In 2020, visitors can expect the Vista Garden area to expand even more!

New Dining Option

You’ll never go hungry when you stop by one of the Anakeesta restaurants, and in the spring of 2020, you can try another fantastic restaurant when you visit. The new Smokehouse BBQ & Brewhouse will serve up all your Southern BBQ favorites. You’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal with expanded seating options and scenic views of Mt. LeConte. There are both fully enclosed dining and outdoor patio seating options.

A New Way to Reach the Summit

In the past, visitors have reached the summit of Anakeesta in Gatlinburg by one of the scenic, one-of-a-kind Chondolas with open-quad chairs and enclosed 6-person gondola cabins. However, now there is a new way to reach the summit! There are new passenger trucks at the base station you can ride to the top through the forest. These trucks, called Ridge Ramblers, make it easy for people afraid of heights to get to Anakeesta. Along the way, you can enjoy an audio tour where a guide will share fun facts about the unique history, animals, forests, and plant life of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Observation Tower

Opening in summer of 2020 us a 55-foot observation tower that sits 655 feet above downtown Gatlinburg! It will provide guests wutg a 360-degree view of the Smokies! The stone and timber structure is reminiscent of the traditional fire tower structure found at Mt. Cammerer in the national park.

New Way to Beat the Heat

Also coming in summer of 2020 is a way for you to beat the heat. Anakeesta is introducing an outdoor play area that has wading streams and a cascading waterfall! You can also relax around the fire pit, listen to live music and enjoy the mountain scenery.

Now since you know all about the expansions coming for Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, it’s time to start planning your visit! Be sure to check out all of the other fun things to do in the Smokies so you’ll always have an exciting attraction or activity in mind.