Larry Vaught Photo
GATLINBURG — I never want to say any day was perfect but Sunday got pretty close to that for me.
First I joined Anthony White, Jack Pilgrim and Beau Robinson on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk like I do each week and we had two wonderful guests — UK baseball coach Nick Mingione and UK basketball signee Trent Noah’s mother, Stacy.
It was a gorgeous sunny, warm day in the Great Smoky Mountains so we decided to leave our condo in Sevierville and head to Gatlinburg to visit Anakeesta, one of my favorite attractions, after I made a stop first at Gatlinburg Margaritaville to see Mr. Margaritaville Steve Cate since it was his day to work. He’s a HUGE Kentucky sports fan and is feeling good about UK baseball’s SEC co-championship.
If you are ever in Gatlinburg, stop by to see him whether you are staying at Margaritaville or not. I wore the “Party Likes It’s 1996” shirt from goose21tees.com.
It was a short walk over to Anakeesta to get on the chair lift — which my WPBK-FM show co-host Tim Estes is afraid to ride — and enjoy the scenery going to the top of the mountain.
Once you are on top, the views are gorgeous and were even more spectacular today because it was such a bright, sunny day.
Admission includes an all-day pass so you can visit early, leave and come back at night to experience the lights of Gatlinburg aboard the Chondola (chair lift). Or you can ride Ridge Rambler if you are like my friend Tim Estes to Firefly Village for shopping, dining, and a “whimsical” mountain atmosphere.
I have lost track of how many times we have visited but I can never resist walking the 14-bridge Treetop Skywalk with almost 900 feet of connected bridges hanging 50 to 60 fee in the air. You are not supposed to bounce, but if happen to get on a bridge by myself I might “accidentally” bounce.
AnaVista Tower is the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg where you can see peaks as far away as Kentucky — which I can never do. But I do love the park overview from here and the over 3,000 plants, flowers and sculptures you can see.
TreeVenture is for all ages but has to seem sensational for youngsters because you can imb, crawl and slide through this interactive challenge course. If that’s not for you, Vista Gardens is always beautiful.
If you are even more adventurous, you can zipline over 2,400 feet through the trees or buy a Coaster Pass which givea you two rides on either The Hellbender or Rail Runner Mountain Coaster.
The Astra Lumina is a nighted light walk that also requires a ticket and obviously is open only at night. It also requires a reservation.
For us, we just like the peace and serenity. We often just sit and enjoy the scenery and people — and either some great food or ice cream.
On Friday the “United Tastes of America” opens featuring food and drinks from 12 states around the country. Some of the options are Georgia peach ice cream, chicken fried steak, apple fritter, lobster roll, bourbon salmon, bread pudding, classic Chicago dog, Italian beef sandwich and Dole whip. Drink options include craft beer, margarita and Kentucky bourbon.
The tasting pass is an additional $49.99 but includes your choice of seven items per pass.
There will also be daily regional entertainment and live music with The Tennessee Line, Anakeesta’s in-house Bluegrass and country music band that played five shows Sunday. You can also get your photo with the Pixie Belles dressed in red, white, and blue who bring the park to life with songs and dance during the festival.
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Go to https://anakeesta.com/ or call 865-325-2400 for more information and pricing.
