The Smoky Mountains have a variety of festivals that are fun for all ages. One of those festivals is at Anakeesta and celebrates summer and the spirit of America! Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America lets you explore different regions of the country with food, drinks, and live entertainment. To help you prepare for your visit, we’ve put together this guide of everything you need to know about the United Tastes of America festival at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg.
What to Expect
Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America is a food and drink festival in Gatlinburg that takes place from late May through early August. This seasonal festival gives guests a chance to explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of different regions of the United States. You’ll see famous Americana landmarks throughout the mountaintop adventure park as you “travel” across the country, listening to live music and visiting various culinary locations that are serving the distinct flavors of 13 different states. These stops can be found throughout Firefly Village, Black Bear Village, Vista Gardens, Stone Village, and Forest Adventures.
Food and Drink Options
As you make your way through Anakeesta during the United Tastes of America festival, your taste buds will enjoy a culinary “road trip” around the country! You have the chance to experience flavors from 13 different states across the U.S., from right here in Tennessee all the way to Alaska. You can find signature dishes, sweet desserts, and crafted drinks that encompass the flavors of these states. Some of the tasty offerings to try from each state include:
- Mississippi's Riverboat Root Beer Sundae
- Texas' Big Bend BBQ Beef Rib and Texas Tito Sipper
- Idaho's Loaded Tornado Potato and Huckleberry Lemon Drop
- Illinois' Cub Classic and Southside Cocktail
- Alaska's King Salmon Slider
- Oregon's Port Pear Flatbread
- Colorado's Rocky Mountain Melts and Stem Ciders Chile Guava
- Tennessee's Nashville Hot Chick and Honkytonk Lemonade
- New Hampshire's Plymouth Pancake Bites
- California's Orange Julius and Feeling Beachy
- New Mexico's Carlsbad Carnitas, Desert Dust Churro Bites and Prickly Pear Margarita
- Connecticut's Mystic Seaport Seafood Roll and Dole Whip Lemon
- Pennsylvania's Frozen Clover Club
Entertainment
Enjoy daily Americana-inspired performances during Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America! Live performances from The Noon-Shiners, Anakeesta's Rockin' Road Trip, The Anakeesta Gnomes, and Red, White, and Country! feature larger-than-life characters and interactive experiences that capture the heart and soul of America. The Uncle Sam & Miss Liberty Belle Character Experience gives guests a chance to meet the symbols of American pride. No matter what you choose to see, the entire park is packed with excitement for the whole family.
Ticket Information
Admission to the United Tastes of America festival is included with an Anakeesta General Admission ticket. To get to the festival, you will need to purchase a General Admission ticket and ride the Crystal Express or Ridge Rambler to the top of Anakeesta. To add to your experience, you can also purchase a United Tastes of America Tasting Card. This card gives you access to your choice of either five or seven food or drink offerings so you can sample flavors from around the country. This tasting card also comes with a commemorative souvenir lanyard that you get to keep!
More Things to Do During Your Visit to Anakeesta
Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America is an event you won’t want to miss this summer! There are lots of other fun things to do while you’re there, including mountain coasters, ziplines, and much more. Check out these 7 fun things to do at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg you can’t miss to make the most of your visit!
