Anakeesta Update: Opening Summer 2017! appeared first on SmokyMountains.com.

We recently visited the newest mega-development in the Smoky Mountains and are happy to announce it is nearing completion! The $47 million, 72-acre development is expected to open in the next 90 days.

In late May, Gatlinburg residents were excited to hear the sound of helicopters flying the 14 towers that will support the new gondola. The new aerial attraction, which spans a distance of approximately one-half a mile, will be capable of transporting 1,100 individuals per hour. The installation of the towers was a critical milestone and a necessary achievement to stay on the grand opening timeline.

Once completed, visitors will be able to board a fully-enclosed, six-person gondola or a four-person chairlift at the downtown Gatlinburg station directly across the street from the aquarium at Light #5. The scenic ride, which will be approximately 12 minutes long, will whisk visitors from the main Parkway in downtown to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain.

At the summit, the developers are in the final construction phase of building racing ziplines, upscale shopping, nature walks, a single rail mountain coaster, treehouse playgrounds, and a canopy walk.

Anakeesta Update: Opening Summer 2017! appeared first on SmokyMountains.com.