Gatlinburg SkyPark, Anakeesta & Ober: Which One’s Worth It?

Let us introduce you to the trouble trio of Gatlinburg, SkyPark, Anakeesta, and Ober, not because of any bad reason, but to see which one is going to win the hearts of adrenaline junkies in Gatlinburg. Looking for beautiful Smoky Mountain views? Gatlinburg SkyPark has you covered. Want an escape from reality with a forest village, chair lifts, and treehouse dining? Anakeesta is your go-to, and if sliding down the mountain coaster is your dream, Ober is well prepared. Choosing the best among these parks is a tough decision for everyone, but don’t worry, our guide will help you pick the best one for you and your family.

Chairlift Info: Gatlinburg Anakeesta chairlift starts from downtown, from 576 Parkway, right in front of Ripley’s Aquarium. People can choose from 3 transportation options according to their convenience, which include a Chairlift, a ridge rambler, and a gondola.

Activities: There are many activities to enjoy at Anakeesta, including:

1. Treetop Skywalk
2. Two Mountain Coasters
3. Ziplines
4. European Village
5. Treeventure Challenge
6. Treehouse village
7. Astra Lumina Night Show
8. Memorial Forest
9. Relaxing seating areas, Botanical gardens, and firepits.
10. Kids' Playground and shopping avenues.

Prices: The attraction can cost up to 40 to 80 dollars per person, plus additional charges depending on different activities. For instance, zipline activity can put additional charges on your actual pass. Prices can change from season to season, so to get updated information, visit Anakeesta.com. Moreover, special discounts like the Sevier County discount, AAA discount, military discount, and annual passes are also available.

Parking and Age Limit: Within walking distance, there are many parking lots available on the right side. And it is appropriate for both adults and kids, making it a great option for families.

Dining Options: Anakeesta offers a wide range of dining options. Cliffton Restaurant for those who love steaks, The Smokehouse for smoked chicken and pork, Kephart Café for pizzas and hot Dogs, while Tap House for a fresh glass of beer. If you love desserts, Pearls Pie in the Sky is your only go-to stop.

Time: To explore this park, it usually takes half to a full day, so if you have plenty of time on hand, it’s a perfect choice.

Chairlift Info: The Chairlift for SkyPark starts at 765 Parkway, diagonally in front of Ripley's Believe It or Not. To get to the top, visitors have only one option, and that’s the chairlift.

Activities: Best for adventurers who need a rush of adrenaline, there are many fun things to do here at SkyPark, which include:

1. Tulip Observation Tower
2. Beautiful Trails and Broadwalks
3. A walk across a 680-foot-long suspension bridge
4. Sky Enter gift shop, scenic bar, and snack area
5. Seating area, lookout space, and fire pit
6. Sky Deck

Prices: The price of this attraction might range from $30 to $40 per person, depending on your preferences. For further information, visitors can check out GatlinburgSkyPark.com to learn about the most recent rates. Prices can change from season to season, so it’s important to stay updated. Military, senior, and Sevier County discounts are available, along with Sky Pass deals. And just so you know — if you're feeling thirsty after the SkyBridge, drinks at the bar may cost around $5.

Parking and Age Limit: The park has several parking areas located nearby. SkyPark is more geared towards adults, though kids can enjoy it too. However, unlike other parks, the activities for children are somewhat limited.

Dining Options: Some good dining options at SkyPark are the Hot Snack Bar, where guests can enjoy pizza, wraps, ice cream, and salads. The park also has a bar which serves fresh, cool, craft beer.

Time: Being the smallest and least time-consuming, SkyPark is a great choice if you have limited time on hand.

Chairlift Info: Formerly known as Ober Gatlinburg, the Ober Mountain tram is located at 1001 Parkway, close to the GSMNP entrance. Visitors have two options to reach the mountain: the first is the tram service, the other is to drive up & park.

Activities: Activities to enjoy at Ober Mountain include:

1. Winter and Summer tubing
2. Gigantic Jump Pillow
3. Wildlife Encounter
4. Ice Skating
5. Bumper Cars
6. Chair Swings
7. Rock Climbing
8. Scenic Chair Lift
9. Chair Swings
10. Cloud Catcher Zipline

Parking and Age Limit: Ober Park has many parking lots located near the entrance, but note that they are paid. The park is suitable for all ages, but teens will enjoy it more.

Dining Options: Visitors can enjoy a variety of dining options, for example, Seasons of Ober, which serves delicious steak, Ober Café for burgers and pizzas, Ski Mountain Grind Haus for coffee, and Daddy Dawgs for fresh hot dogs.

Time: Ober Mountain is a huge park with plenty of activities, so it usually takes half to a full day to explore it.