Catherine - Savvy Family TravelAnakeesta is absolutely worth the ticket price—but here’s the thing: there’s a lot to do once you’re up there, so it helps to have a game plan.
From the moment you step off the Chondola, you’re surrounded by places to eat, things to climb, trails to wander, and views to soak in. We thought we’d spend a few hours, but it quickly turned into a full day of exploring, playing, and relaxing in the treetops. We even left for a bit to meet family in Gatlinburg, then came right back because we weren’t ready for it to be over.
Below, I’m breaking down all the Anakeesta Restaurants and shedding light on what’s little kid-friendly and what’s better for older thrill-seekers.
Anakeesta Restaurants, TreeTop Walk & More
Anakeesta Tickets
Ticket Prices
Adult tickets, age 12+ are $34.99.
Children ages 4-11 are $22.99. Ages 3 and under are free.
Seniors, ages 60+ are $27.99.
Book online so you can skip the ticketing line and go straight to the line for the Chondola or Ridge Rambler.
Discounted Tickets
There are limited options for discounted tickets to Anakeesta.
Booking through your AAA portal, you can save about 10%.
We booked through Tripster and saved $3 per ticket, but still had to stand in line upon arrival to have our voucher converted to an actual ticket. This wasn’t worth the savings for us.
How to Get Atop the Mountain
Chondola Ride Up the Mountain
First things first. You start your day by choosing between an open-air chairlift or an enclosed gondola. With two small kids, we debated the gondola, but since they only have a couple every 30 chairlifts or so, we learned it would be an extra 45 minutes’ wait. The chairlift was such a peaceful ride up, and the views of Gatlinburg and the Smokies below really set the tone for the day. My 4 and 7 year olds did really well on the mount and dismount as well!
Tip: If you can, go early. We got there not long after opening and didn’t wait more than a few minutes to ride up.
Ridge Rambler
If you’re traveling with a stroller, a baby, don’t like heights or just want to skip the line, you can always opt to travel up or down the mountain via the open air bus, the Ridge Rambler.
What to Do at Anakeesta: Attractions Worth the Hype
Treetop Skywalk
The Treetop Skywalk is a series of suspension bridges strung between massive trees in the forest. It feels adventurous but totally safe, even with young kids. They did a great job following the rules for the maximum number of people allowed on each bridge.
The hardest part was reminding them to walk, not run.
You’ll want a wearable carrier for babies/young toddlers so you are hands free for the railings.
Bonus: It lights up at night for their seasonal events, which I imagine is magical.
TreeVenture Challenge Course
This is one of many mountain-themed playgrounds, and if you’ve got kids over 5, you need to make a stop here. There are rope bridges, tunnels, netted walkways, and lookout towers.
It’s shaded, safely enclosed, and has seating areas for parents to chill while the kids burn off energy.
My four year old wasn’t so sure about this one, his short legs were struggling and the big kids made him feel rushed. Keep reading for the playgrounds he liked better.
BirdVenture
BirdVenture is a new, massive, multi-level nature play area with netted climbing structures, slides, and educational elements all themed around local birds. Our oldest loved the light up slides. Our youngest liked the decorative bird houses and the nest and feather obstacles.
TreeHouse Village Adventure
This was perfect for my 4 year old who had more trouble moving about the TreeVenture Course. He could traverse the bridges more easily and didn’t create a traffic jam when he needed to slow down because there were multiple paths others could take from each treehouse.
Dueling Zipline Adventure
Okay, this one we skipped since our kids aren’t old enough yet, but we watched several brave folks zip across the mountains and it looked amazing. If you’ve got older kids or teens, it’s a must. You fly side-by-side with another person across three ziplines and then rappel down platforms at the end.
Totally doing this when the kids are older.
Rail Runner & Hellbender Mountain Coasters
There are two mountain coasters at Anakeesta.
Rail Runner
This one’s a single-rail coaster where you sit low to the track and control your own speed. Kids as young as 3 can ride with an adult, which made it our top pick.
It only lasts a minute or two, but it’s worth it for the smiles.
Hellbender Mountain Coaster
This is the newer coaster and has more traditional two-rail tracks. It’s longer and a bit more intense. My kids enjoyed watching from the patio above.
AnaVista Tower
This is the tallest point in downtown Gatlinburg and it’s breathtaking. You get 360° views of the mountains, and it’s not a huge climb to the top.
There are fun plaques at the top that point out which peaks you’re seeing.
Seasonal Events & Gardens
Depending on when you go, Anakeesta hosts seasonal experiences like Lumina Night Walks, Enchanted Winter, or Blooms & Tunes in spring.
When we visited in early spring, the gardens were just starting to bloom and there were art installations scattered around—a great backdrop for photos ops.
In the summer they open a splash pad in Black Bear Village.
Anakeesta Restaurants: Sit Down
I’ll be honest—when we first planned our day at Anakeesta, I thought we’d be snacking on overpriced pretzels and maybe grabbing a quick burger somewhere.
I was not expecting a full-on mountaintop food scene. But Anakeesta totally surprised us with how many dining options they’ve packed into that little hilltop village. Each with their own stunning views.
Cliff Top Restaurant
Let’s start with the big one. If you’re only doing one sit-down meal during your visit, make it Cliff Top. It’s perched right by the AnaVista Tower, and the views alone are worth the stop.
Time dinner around sunset, the mountains appear to stretch forever, everything glowing golden.
The menu leans toward elevated comfort food. They also have a good kid’s menu if you’ve got little ones in tow.
Ask for outdoor seating if the weather’s nice.
Smokehouse Restaurant
Smokehouse is a solid choice if you want something quick but hearty. Think pulled pork sandwiches, smoked chicken, cornbread—all the usual BBQ suspects. It’s more casual than Cliff Top, and you won’t wait long even during peak lunch hours.
This is also one of the easier spots to navigate with a stroller. The outdoor picnic tables make it an easy go-to with kids who want to eat fast and get back to playing.
Kephart Café
Sandwiches, wraps, salads—nothing too heavy, which is nice if you’re heading back to zipline or walk the tree canopy bridge.
Casual Eats, Food Stands & Food Trucks
In between sit down Anakeesta restaurants you might need a refreshing beverage or quick bite.
Bear Can (Grab & Go)
Think of this as your quickie stop for bottled drinks, trail mix, chips, and candy. It’s not fancy, but super convenient when you just want something to munch on during the walk to the next attraction.
Rocky Top Canteen
The tacos were legit; quick, flavorful, and way better than you’d expect from a theme park-style setup.
We ate at a little standing table nearby and were back to exploring within 15 minutes.
Snack Shack
Classic kid fare: pretzels, chips, maybe a hot dog or two. Great place to stop if your kids are starting to fall apart and just need something fast.
Cloud 9 Café & Bakery
Cloud 9 feels like a little coffee shop plucked out of a small town and plopped on top of a mountain. I got an iced latte and a cinnamon roll (both excellent), and we camped out at one of the outdoor tables while people-watching.
Highly recommend this spot if you’re up early and want a quiet start before the park gets busy.
Mimi’s Creamery
You’ll smell it before you see it. Mimi’s is your classic ice cream stop—scooped by hand, lots of flavors, and usually a small line. It’s a must if you’re visiting on a warm day.
Bars & Adult Beverages
Tennessee doesn’t joke around with drinking age requirements. I’m nearing 40 and was asked for my ID everywhere! Make sure to have it on you.
Tap House
Great beer list with some local craft brews on tap. We popped in for a quick drink before dinner and appreciated the laid-back patio with views. If you’re a beer person, make time for a stop here.
Tower Bar
If you want a drink with a view, this is it. Tower Bar has a little more of a “special occasion” feel, especially during golden hour.
Tennessee Sidecar
If you’re into moonshine or small-batch whiskey, this is your spot. The drinks have a Southern flair, and it feels a little more tucked away than the other bars.
Where to Eat with Kids
We had our young kids with us, so we scoped out the most family-friendly Anakeesta restaurants.
These were the easiest:
- Smokehouse – Fast, filling, and outdoor seating made life easier.
- Kephart Café – Light meals and stroller-friendly.
- Mimi’s Creamery – Obvious win.
- Snack Shack – For hangry moments.
- Cloud 9 – Morning pastries.
High chairs were available at most of the sit-down Anakeesta restaurants, and the staff is super accommodating.
Anakeesta Shopping
I could have used an hour to myself just perusing all the fun merch. Most of the stores carried general merchandise, but some were more specialty like Willow’s Toyshop, Mercantile, and Catching Fireflies.
Tips for Dining at Anakeesta
- Lunchtime gets busy, especially around Cliff Top. If you can eat early or late, you’ll avoid the wait.
- Mobile ordering for Anakeesta restaurants wasn’t an option when we went, but they’re constantly updating services, so check before you go.
- Views are better at dinner, especially at Cliff Top or Tower Bar. Try to plan your meal with the sunset.
- Dietary needs? You’ll find vegetarian options at Cliff Top, Kephart, and Cloud 9. We didn’t see a ton of gluten-free labeling, though.
Tips for Families Visiting Anakeesta
- Strollers: Bring one, but know you’ll have to park it during the Skywalk and some attractions.
While they allow strollers to ride up on the chairlift benches, you might be more comfortable in an enclosed pod or taking the Ridge Rambler bus. - Bathrooms: There’s a family restroom near the main plaza.
- Best Attractions for Littles: BearVenture, TreeVenture, BirdVenture, Rail Runner, Treetop Skywalk, Splash Pad in the summer
- Make sure to read them the legend of Anakeesta (its a little dark, so I’d say age 7+).
Hotels Near Anakeesta
Looking for hotels convenient to Anakeesta and all that downtown Gatlinburg has to offer? Here are a variety of stays that are in the heart of the action.
- Baskins Creek Condos (Sleeps up to 8)
- Petyons Hideaway (Sleeps up to 10)
- Vacation Rental Condo with Pool (Sleeps up to 6)
- Spacious Condo with Great Value (Sleeps up to 6)
An alternative is to stay in Pigeon Forge, just try to avoid traveling in and out of Gatlinburg during peak traffic. Even the free Trolley fills up.
Final Thoughts on Anakeesta Restaurants and Attractions
Anakeesta really nailed the balance of adventure and family friendliness. There were moments where it felt peaceful and quiet and others that were full-on action.
If you’re traveling with young kids, it’s absolutely worth it. And if you’re kid-free? It’s still an amazing mountaintop hangout with food, drinks, and views you won’t forget.
Next time, we’re coming back for the zipline and that second coaster. And maybe—just maybe—we’ll get to sit through a meal without cutting up chicken nuggets mid-bite.
Pin our Anakeesta Restaurants and Attractions guide for future trip planning:
Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys who have endless patience with my tendency to over plan activities on our family vacations. My tireless husband, Troy, provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
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