Gatlinburg: Our Family’s Guide to Anakeesta, the SkyBridge, and More
Planning a trip to Gatlinburg with kids? We did Anakeesta, the SkyBridge, and the Gatlinburg Trolley in one day — here's our take and how to keep your budget (and your sanity) intact.
BEYOND
7/2/20266 min read
We recently took a family vacation to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area during the third week of June. Traveling as a party of seven — me and my husband, our three kids, and two grandparents along for the fun — these are the attractions we tackled in the Gatlinburg area during our week there.
To see the fun we had in Pigeon Forge, click on my link below to read more about we tackled there!
Pigeon Forge Activities: Mountain Coasters, Dollywood & Dolly Parton's Stampede
Hi! 👋 I’m a mom of three kids (ages 4–11) based in Bucks County, PA, and our family is always on the lookout for trips that are actually doable — on a real budget, around a real school schedule, and with kids in tow. Think short getaways, summer vacations, and reviews from a family of five that plans carefully but still likes to have a good time. Read on to hear about our trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Where We Stayed
After driving through Pigeon Forge on our way in, the scenery shifted quickly and we arrived in Gatlinburg. We stayed in the Chalet Village section, right up in the mountains. At the entrance to the village is the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, about 10 minutes from where our house was.
We chose to stay in a house because we were traveling as a large party, and having the extra space, so everyone could have some time to themselves, is key while we are on a trip. Plus, having the kitchen cuts down on the cost of eating out and allows us to eat better throughout the week. The house was situated at the top of the mountain (note: about a 10 minute drive on some narrow windy roads), but worth it for the view and scenery. We found the house using VRBO and the host was extremely responsive to our questions.
Getting Into Town: The Gatlinburg Trolley
The Welcome Center at the entrance to Chalet Village pulls double duty. It provides great resources for visiting the Smoky Mountains where you can purchase parking passes and maps for the park, and it’s also a stop for the Gatlinburg Trolley, a free ride that takes you straight into town. With parking running $20 a day in Gatlinburg, and the main strip notoriously congested, this was an easy call.
The trolley ran about every 5–10 minutes while we were there in June and held probably up to 40 people. It made a few stops on the way in, but was generally a straight shot to the Mass Transit Center at Ripley’s Aquarium which is pretty much walking distance to the main attractions. You can also switch trolleys here if you want to explore more of town. For up-to-date routes and times, check out the Gatlinburg Trolley's website.
Anakeesta
We hit two main attractions in Gatlinburg, plus walked the main strip a bit: Anakeesta and the SkyBridge, both on the same day. Anakeesta came first — it’s geared more toward kids, and we wanted everyone in their best mood for it.
I purchased tickets online in advance, and we made it into town by about 9:45 AM after riding the trolley in. Anakeesta is a short walk across the street from the trolley stop, and with tickets already on my phone, we boarded the gondola right away.
The gondola has a glass floor, which is a fun feature for the brave ones who like looking straight down, and the ride up the mountainside takes about five minutes. At the top, amazing views are waiting, along with a photo overlook and restrooms. Worth noting: there are no restrooms at the bottom where you board, so plan ahead before you ride up.
Anakeesta has a variety of food and dining options, from food trucks to quick-service restaurants, with shaded seating areas and spots along the edge where you can eat and take in the scenery. We packed our own snacks to keep costs down and only grabbed something from a food truck later in the day — but options abound if you’d rather not haul in your own.
Our first stop at the top was the Treetop Skywalk. Fourteen bridges hang from tree to tree, taking you through the mountain — and yes, they sway. Remind everyone to hold onto the sides, and know that strollers aren’t allowed across, nor is carrying little ones recommended. Bridge capacity is posted, so keep an eye on how far ahead the kids run (mine came close to the limit). Beyond that, slow down and take it in, the views are worth it.
Right next door is the Treehouse Adventure Play Area, designed more for the preschool crowd. All three of ours had fun, though we didn’t linger long. Little treehouses are connected by bridges and rope obstacles, all enclosed in nets so that no one can fall through.
Further into the park, toward the Vista Gardens and Stone Village sections, is TreeVenture. This one was the clear winner! Three beautifully decorated treehouses are connected by a rope trampoline in the middle, then the kids can hop into slides that drop them to the next level of obstacle courses and play areas. Three levels total — which means a lot of stairs if your kids are slide-obsessed (ours are). The layout is open enough that you can see up and down from most spots, and enclosed at the bottom so kids can only exit one way. Station yourself in the middle, or split up with one parent at each end. Either way, expect tired kids by the time they’re done.
Hungry enough that snacks weren’t cutting it anymore, we grabbed food from the chicken and waffle fry truck before pressing on to BearVenture — another suspended rope obstacle area with a single entry and exit point. Perfectly contained for parents who’d rather cheer from the sidelines. I went in anyway because they asked, and I’m happy to report I made it through.
We wrapped up with AnaVista Tower. The kids were not thrilled about more stairs, but the view at the top was worth every groan.
For families who’d rather skip the activities, Anakeesta has plenty of seating to just relax and enjoy the view. That said, for the price, you’ll get the most out of it with elementary-age and younger kids who’ll actually run themselves ragged on everything it offers. Gatlinburg has no shortage of ways to enjoy a mountain view, but for our crew of three, Anakeesta delivered — and the bonus afternoon crash back at the house was very much appreciated.
Anakeesta Quick Overview
When we went: Morning, arrived by 9:45 AM
How long we stayed: About 3 hours
Tickets are good all day: You can leave and come back later if you want a second round
Cost: Advance online pricing starts around $40 for adults (ages 12–64), $28 for kids (ages 4–11), and $33 for seniors; kids 3 and under are free. Prices can vary by season, so check Anakeesta's website before you go
Need to know: Strollers can ride the gondola up and are handy for getting around the park, but they’re not allowed on the attractions themselves
Food: Bags are allowed in, so pack a few snacks and drinks for the kids to skip the higher in-park food prices
Getting there: There’s no parking at Anakeesta itself — it’s right in town. Park downtown and walk over, or take the trolley like we did
The SkyBridge
The SkyBridge is North America’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, spanning a deep valley near the top of Crockett Mountain with sweeping views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains.
Getting there followed the same routine — trolley into town, off at the Mass Transit Center, then about a 10-minute walk down the main strip. Tickets were already on our phones, so we scanned and headed up.
The ride up is via chairlift, which made for a noticeably different vibe than Anakeesta’s gondola. Open air, legs dangling — honestly, we liked it better.
At the top, the kids made a beeline for the bridge with zero hesitation. I took the more cautious approach of staring straight ahead and willing my children not to fall, which for the record, was never actually a possibility since the bridge is enclosed up to about shoulder height. It does sway, being suspended, so grip the sides if you need to. Otherwise it’s a straight shot across. There are glass floor panels in the middle if you want to look down. I did not want to look down.
On the far side, the SkyCenter has food, drinks, and plenty of seating. We settled in, the kids got slushies, and we just took a breath and enjoyed it. Restrooms are available on both sides of the bridge — but not at the bottom of the lift, so make sure everyone goes before heading down.
Ready to head back, we took the SkyTrail, a flat, well-maintained loop behind the bridge with a small climbing tower called Tulip Tower partway through. Then it was back on the lift and off to catch the trolley.
SkyBridge Quick Overview
When we went: Late afternoon
How long we stayed: About 1–2 hours
Cost: Single-visit tickets run around $30–35 for adults (ages 12–64), with discounted rates for seniors and kids; ages 5 and under are free. Pricing can change daily, so check SkyPark's webiste before you go
Need to know: Strollers aren’t allowed anywhere in SkyPark, not just on the bridge itself, so plan accordingly if you have little ones
Getting there: You can take the trolley into town like we did and walk over from the Mass Transit Center or park in one of the town lots.
A Stroll Down the Strip
Before heading back to the house, we walked the main strip and stopped for ice cream along the way. Shops, restaurants, and a handful of other attractions line that stretch of town — more than one trip can cover. We’ve already started a list for next time.
Anakeesta is our top pick for families with kids who want food, play, and views wrapped into one outing. For families more drawn to the scenery — and bragging rights for crossing the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America — the SkyBridge delivers. Gatlinburg has plenty to choose from; knowing what your family is actually after will help you spend your time and money in the right place.
Compass and Crumbs
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