There’s a never-ending list of things for families to do during a trip to Gatlinburg. Mini-golf, aquarium, hikes in the Smoky Mountains… the list goes on and on. While all of these things to do should make your list, why not try doing something a little different that you can’t just do anywhere? Astra Lumina Gatlinburg is one of those experiences that’s hard to put into words — but I’m going to try.
Located inside the popular Anakeesta park, Astra Lumina Gatlinburg is an experience that only comes alive at night. This company describes this 45-minute walkthrough experience as an “enchanted night walk amongst the stars”, which can still leave you questioning what exactly it is. If you’re on the fence about Astra Lumina Gatlinburg, here’s a look inside what to expect. From glowing lights to unique projections, I’m certain this experience will quickly become one of the most memorable parts of your trip to Gatlinburg.
What to expect at Astra Lumina Gatlinburg
The best way I can describe Astra Lumina as something you can visualize is as a projection/light show. Instead of sitting down and watching a show or experience (like you would a fireworks show), you walk through the experience at your own pace. The experience consists of nine different thematic areas that consist of various projections, lights, and sounds. The entire attraction is outdoors and does not include any closed areas. Several of the thematic areas include benches so you can take breaks, as needed.
Before you enter each area, there’s a sign that explains its name and how it’s supposed to relate to the stars. You need to get your imagination going to fully immerse yourself in this experience.
Fun fact: Astra Lumina means “light from the stars” or simply “star light in Latin. I didn’t know this when I went and thought the name was born from someone’s creativity.
How long of a walk is it?
The actual Astra Lumina Gatlinburg TN walk is about one mile, which generally takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete. This is because each “show” runs on a 3 to 4 minute schedule on repeat. Some areas you may find yourself spending more time in, whereas others you may choose to keep walking and not stop. That’s what’s pretty cool about the experience. You can go through at your own pace, choosing to spend more time in areas that you find more interesting.
As you plan your trip, remember that your “ticket time” is the time you can actually enter the Astra Lumina experience. The park allows entry up to 30 minutes before the listed ticket time. Since Astra Lumina is located within Anakeesta park, you’ll need to leave time to either ride the gondola up or take the Rambler (the truck) to the top of the mountain.
Recommendation: A day at Anakeesta can be a pretty long day for you and your family. I’d recommend either going back to your hotel (if possible) or leaving the park to get dinner before going back to Astra Lumina. You need to get off your feet before this experience or you might just be too tired to enjoy it.
Is Astra Lumina Gatlinburg worth it?
Throughout my years of traveling, I’ve learned that travel is truly a subjective experience. So, the question of “is Astra Lumina Gatlinburg worth it?” depends on your preference. In my opinion, it’s totally worth it if you’re already paying for tickets to Anakeesta. You can’t get into Astra Lumina without day tickets and the add-on experience only adds about $18 per person. You cannot just go to Astra Lumina without purchasing a regular admission ticket to Anakeesta.
Here’s how I look at it: You and your family will probably go to many beaches, many mini-golf courses, and many restaurants in all of your vacations. But how many “nighttime enhanced walks” will you have a chance to do? This fun experience makes for great photos and lots of unique memories. Plus, it gives you a nighttime activity to look forward to after spending a day in the sun.