The Anakeesta is a CertifiKID Partner. CertifiKID offers discounted tickets and products to subscribers. Macaroni KID Monroe-West Monroe is proudly affiliated with Macaroni KID National and CertifiKID. As a result, Anakeesta Mountain Top Amusement Park provided tickets to the park so that Macaroni KID Monroe-West Monroe could share our experience with our subscribers.
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, doesn't it? Between work, homework, sports, cooking, cleaning, and yard work, finding time for fun can feel impossible! That's why, after 20 long years, my sister Michelle and I decided to declare Summer 2024 the Summer of the Sister Road Trip! Our destination? The charming town of Gatlinburg, TN! We had so much fun planned, it was like stepping back into our childhood. (My grandson was also excited to be part of the adventure). (Monroe, LA to Gatlinburg, TN, 651 Miles)
Michelle picked us up at the crack of dawn—3:30 a.m., to be exact—and we were ready to roll. It took no time at all for Michelle and I to start feeling like kids again, jamming to 80's music, dancing in our seats, laughing, and reminiscing about old times. With spirits high and hearts full, we were Tennessee-bound. Our first stop? The awe-inspiring Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, TN. When I say "mind-blowing," it's a total understatement. Known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies,” these caverns are a hidden gem of the Eastern United States. Imagine exploring a cavern so large it could fit a football stadium, and seeing “SilverFalls,” a 210-foot subterranean waterfall—the tallest in the Eastern U.S. It's a 1.25-mile adventure through millions of limestone formations that left us speechless.
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend, TN |
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, Tuckaleechee Caverns, Townsend, TN |
After leaving the caverns, we had just an hour's drive to our hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN, where we planned to swim, fish, and rest up for a day of adventure at Anakeesta Mountain Top Amusement Park. Pigeon Forge is like the Las Vegas strip of family fun—think amusement parks, dinner theaters, water parks, and more, all in one place.
Bright and early the next morning, we headed to Downtown Gatlinburg and found ourselves at the Anakeesta admission area. We saw a line but no amusement park, then we looked to the left and saw Chondolas and Gondolas taking people up the mountain. Twenty minutes and 600 feet later, we arrived at the top, greeted by the charming, rustic vibes of Anakeesta. We discovered places like Black Bear Village, Bird Venture, Stone Village, Firefly Village, meticulous gardens, rollercoasters, and Dueling Zip Lines! I can still hear my sister screaming down the mountain when she became a Monday warrior and zipped her way into a frenzy.
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg, TN |
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, My sister Michelle on an Alpine Rollercoaster at Anakeesta Mountain Top Amusement Park in Gatlinburg, TN |
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, 360 Lookout Tower at Anakeesta |
SEE THE LIVE 360 TOWER WEBCAM NOW!
We even participated in the United Tastes of America, savoring delicious bites like Lobster Rolls from Maine and a Dole Pineapple Whip from Hawaii. We skipped the Louisiana Gumbo, but hey, you can guess why! From walking through 880 feet of hanging bridges in the treetops to ziplining and relaxing in rocking chairs overlooking the Smoky Mountains, we had a blast. However, the trip down the mountain on the Chondola at night left us thankful that we had a wonderful last day on Earth (never again). We know now you can take a Ridge Rambler a passenger vehicle up and down the mountain.
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My sister, Michelle, is the beast of White Water Rafting, North Carolina Rolling Thunder. |
Our adventure continued with white water rafting at Rolling Thunder in North Carolina, visiting the Ponderosa Dude Ranch, and spending a whole day in Downtown Gatlinburg. We explored Ripley's Believe It or Not Aquarium, tackled a Mirror Maze, played Laser Tag, watched a 5D Movie, rode a roller coaster, and indulged in some fantastic food. The trip was so wonderful, I would do it all over again—only this time, I wouldn't wait 20 years! So, gather your family, plan those trips, and make those memories. It’s never too late to have fun together!
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Image Source: Missy Robertson, Publisher Phillip is trying to fit into a box at Ripley's Believe It or Not Oddity Museum |
The Anakeesta is a CertifiKID partner which offers discounted tickets to members. Macaroni KID Monroe-West Monroe is proudly affiliated with Macaroni KID National and CertifiKID. As a result, Anakeesta Mountain Top Amusement Park provided tickets to the park so that Macaroni KID Monroe-West Monroe could share our experience with our subscribers.
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