Anakeesta at Night – Let the Magic Begin!

Logo - "Anakeesta - there's Magic in the mountains

Anakeesta at night is a magical experience. It’s unlike any other theme park we’ve ever visited, but especially so after the sun goes down. It transforms into something more – more colorful, more inviting, more…magical. (There’s that word again!)

Of course, Anakeesta is something special no matter when you visit it. But let us show you why experiencing the park after sunset is the best time to go.

Published October 22, 2024

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So, What is Anakeesta?

I’ve always had some difficulty answering this question. Anakeesta is a theme park, but it is different…unique. Its website describes it as “…a unique, authentic outdoor experience… immersing guests of all ages in the beauty and adventure of the great outdoors.”

I think that description is spot-on. It is unique (as I’ve already said). It is outdoors – the park is atop a mountain, with amazing views. And it is an experience. You find yourself immersed in Smoky Mountains culture but in a more artistic, creative way.

People enjoying a section of Anakeesta, including the Clifftop Restaurant, the Tap House Bar, a large fire pit, and a beautiful view of the Smoky Mountains under a blue sky with wisps of clouds

Anakeesta has mountain coasters (two, in fact). There are shops, restaurants, and music, all designed to give off a Smoky Mountains vibe. Plus, there are lots of adventures – the Treetop Skywalk is a series of bridges stretching over 800 feet long and 50+ feet off the ground; the AnaVista tower is the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg, with views to die for; and the Dueling Zipline Adventure allows you and your fellow-adventurer zip through the treetops side-by-side.

Four people entering the TreeTop SkyWalk at night through a lighted grass arbor of yellow, green, and orange

There’s also plenty for younger children to do at Anakeesta, including the Treeventure Challenge Course, the Treehouse Adventure Play Area, Gem Mining, and the giant birdhouses at Birdventure.

Three children walking across the rope bridge at Treeventure

But at Night…

But at night, the transformation begins.

Night time at Anakeesta. People gathered around the fire pit in front of the Tap House Bar and the Clifftop Restaurant

It Begins at Sunset

You simply MUST be in Anakeesta to watch the sunset. The park is perfectly positioned to watch the entire show – it is quite an experience!

The main "street" through Anakeesta at sunset

Several spots provide excellent views of the sunset. Watch from one of the comfortable chairs around the fire pit or find a spot on one of the many benches throughout the park. All of the restaurants at Anakeesta, especially Smokehouse Restaurant, offer outdoor seating with sunset views.

Brilliant orange sunset over the roof of a cottage at Anakeesta

The best sunset views, though, are found atop the AnaVista Tower, either at the top of the tower or at its base, where you can sit at the Watering Can Bar, the highest bar in downtown Gatlinburg.

People atop AnaVistas Tower, enjoying a brilliant red, orange, and purple sunset

Anakeesta at Night – Let the Magic Begin!

As the sun dips below the horizon, the real magic (I can’t stop using the word “magic”!) begins. The entire park begins to glow with color as the lights come on.

The Treetop Adventure is decorated with lights from one end of its 880-foot length to the other. The Treehouse Challenge Course (shown below) looks entirely different at night.

The Treeventure Challenge Course for kids, lit up as the evening approaches

The giant birdhouses of Birdventure will elicit some “oohs and ahhs” from your kids (and you).

The giant birdhouses of Birdventure, lit up with green, blue,orange, and violet lights.
The giant birdhouses of Birdventure, lit up with green, orange, and violet lights. There are giant birds perched on the giant birdhouses

And AnaVista Tower stands tall and beautiful, outlined against the night sky.

AnaVista viewing tower lit up against the night sky, bordered by wicker globe lights and trees

But there’s more…

Astra Lumina

Like Anakeesta, Astra Lumina is difficult to describe. Again, I’ll let the Anakeesta website do the explaining…

“The stars are descending from the night sky right here at Anakeesta!
Set off across mysterious observatory grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrious light, cosmic visions, and astral song.

Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection, and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above.

Astra Lumina at Anakeesta is the 15th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series, and the very first in the United States.“

Well, that cleared it all up, right…?

Map showing the path and features of the Astra Lumina walk

Let me try to help.

Astra Lumina uses lighting, projection, and sound to tell a story. As your group walks down the pathway under the night sky, you will stop at several stations, each telling a different part of the story.

First is the pathway that leads to Astra Lumina, bordered by elaborate tin-punched lanterns that introduce you to the experience. (It helps if you stop and read each one along the way.)

Tin-punch lantern reading "Welcome Stargazers, to an Extraordinary Place..."
Tin-punch lantern reading, "We're always told to reach for the stars, but what if the stars could reach for us?"

Next come the stations, depicting stars falling to earth, creating waves and rays…

Spiral lighting at the beginning of Astra Lumina, showing red and yellow
Laser lights depicting stars descending from the heavens
Globes hanging in the woods, giving off a violet-color glow
Purple and red laser lights dancing across the sky

…and visions before they ascend back into the heavens.

While the storyline might seem a bit odd, the production quality is amazing! The use of light was impressively creative and nothing short of spectacular.

Astra Lumina is an experience we have done twice and will do again!

Pink waves of light in Astra Lumina
Rounded screen showing a digital image of a spinning planet
Large globe surrounded by smoke emitting an eerie green glow
Vertical light tubes glowing red as white light rises up the poles, depicting stars returning to the heavens

Wrapping Up the Evening

By the time you finish your Astra Lumina experience, Anakeesta will be shutting down for the evening. Most of the shops and restaurants will be closed, and most of the visitors will have left. Only the Chondola (combination chair lift and gondola) is still operating and will do so until the final Astra Lumina experience of the evening is complete.

Birdventure, lit up with blue, green, red, yellow, and purple lights. Giant birds are perched on the giant birdhouses.

There’s one final treat left. Take the chair lift back down to the parking lot, but have your camera handy. (Hold on tightly – you don’t want to drop it!)

Take in the view of Gatlinburg, twinkling with lights at the foot of the mountain. It’s a perfect way to end your night at Anakeesta.

Gatlinburg seen at night from the Anakeesta chair lift

Frequently Asked Questions

Two ceramic black bears, one with flowers in its hair, welcoming guests to Anakeesta
  • Is Anakeesta better during the day or at night? We prefer Anakeesta in the evening for at least three reasons:
    • The park gets HOT during the day – evening is much cooler.
    • Going in the evening frees up your day for hiking, chasing waterfalls, and cruising Cades Cove or Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
    • As you can tell from reading this post, Anakeesta has a different, unique vibe at night.
  • Are there restaurants at Anakeesta? Several Anakeesta restaurants are available for dinner, including…
    • The Smokehouse Restaurant
    • The Clifftop Restaurant
    • The Kephart Cafe
  • Where did Anakeesta get its name? “Anakeesta” means “the place of high ground'” in the Cherokee language.
Blue and green light spilling down in the foliage at Astra Lumina
  • What’s the parking situation? All Anakeesta parking is public parking, which typically costs $15-$20 per day. Parking lots are located at…
    • Free Park and Ride, located on Highway 441 at the Welcome Center, has 90 spaces for passenger vehicles, buses, and RVs.
    • The Free Park and Ride, located on Highway 321 beside the City Hall Complex, has 85 spaces for passenger vehicles, buses, and RVs.
    • Traffic light #2 has spaces for 30 passenger vehicles.
    • The parking garage at traffic light #3 has spaces for 390 passenger vehicles.
    • The parking garage at Ripley’s Aquarium has 380 spaces for passenger vehicles.
    • Newton Lane parking lot has 80 spaces.
    • Reagan Drive parking lot has spaces for 185 vehicles, including buses and RV’s.
    • Passenger vehicles only in the City Parking Garages.

The Bottom Line – Anakeesta at Night – Let the Magic Begin!

If you have the time, we recommend visiting Anakeesta. And if you have the option to go in the evening, we strongly recommend doing so. Get ready – I’m going to use that word again…

It’s magical.

Click here to view a map of Anakeesta!

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Jeff Powell

Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of two blogs - National Park Ventures and Smoky Mountains Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers "supersize" their own national park ventures.

Jeff and Mary Ellen have been married for 35 years. They have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in a cabin in the mountains outside of Blue Ridge, GA.