GATLINBURG, Tennessee — A 14-minute ride 600-feet up from downtown Gatlinburg in a distinctive Chondola, featuring both quad chairs and enclosed six-person gondola cabins, takes visitors to Anakeesta, Gatlinburg’s newest attraction, which opened Sept. 1.
At the top of the mountain, Firefly Village is a treehouse-themed village with shops, a food truck featuring pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked wings and a 1940’s inspired bakery.
From there visitors can stroll through the elevated treetop canopy walk that includes 16 hanging bridges more than 40 feet in the air, soar through the trees on dual-racing ziplines, climb through the Anakeesta Treehouse Playground or simply enjoy the views of Mount Leconte and downtown Gatlinburg.
There will also be a Memorial Fire Walk on the highpoint of the mountain featuring an exhibit by photographer Jeremy Cowart titled “Voices of Gatlinburg.”
The name Anakeesta is a Cherokee word referring to high ground.
