North Carolina’s Wild West Theme Park
Updated by Chris Murphy / Images from Tweetsie Railroad
There’s plenty to do when you visit North Carolina’s High Country. A must-do on your list should be spending a day at Tweetsie Railroad. This family-fun theme park boasts rides, live entertainment, history and more.
Tweetsie Railroad History
Tweetsie Railroad opened on July 4, 1957, as the No. 12 locomotive carried passengers on a one-mile journey. A year later, the park took on an authentic wild west theme and extended the train tracks to three miles. Through the 1960s, Tweetsie Railroad began to add amusement rides, kid’s activities, crafts and more to expand the park.
In 2017, Tweetsie Railroad celebrated 60 years as North Carolina’s first theme park. When you visit, be sure to check out the two historic steam locomotives, the No. 12 Tweetsie and No. 190 Yukon Queen.
Rides at Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad has 13 rides that the whole family will enjoy. Kid’s can either ride on their own on safe, child-sized rides, or with an adult for some family fun. Older kids will love twisting, turning and racing on the park’s other high-energy rides.
Click here to read more about Tweetsie Railroad’s rides.
Live Entertainment at Tweetsie Railroad
Between the rides, head to Tweetsie Palace or Miner’s Mountain Theater for a fantastic live show. Tweetsie Railroad features, dancers, musicians and more throughout the day during as live entertainment.
A trip to Tweetsie Railroad is not complete without taking a ride on one of the famous locomotives. Hop aboard one of the authentic steam trains for a three-mile ride around the park and through the mountains.
Tweetsie Railroad Deer Park Zoo
While Tweetsie Railroad is an exciting theme park, it also has touches reminiscent of a country fair. Visit the Deer Park Zoo, Tweetsie Railroad’s on-site petting zoo. Get up close and personal with friendly goats, deer, miniature horses and more. You can even feed them.
Click here to read more about Tweetsie Railroad’s Deer Park Zoo.
Other Things to Do at Tweetsie Railroad
There’s even more to do at Tweetsie Railroad. Play old-fashioned country fair games, or modern-day arcade games. Visit Miner’s Mountain playground to run, jump and climb. Then, let the kids get their faces painted or a glitter tattoo.
Relieve the past with Tweetsie Railroad’s Gold Panning and Gem Mining. You could even strike rich and find some beautiful gem stones. Gem Mining is a fee separate from general admission.
Special Events at Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad hosts several events throughout the year.
Meet the Easter bunny during Easter weekend, watch a firework display on the Fourth of July, hop aboard the haunting Ghost Train® and see the park sparkle with the magic of the holidays during Tweetsie Christmas®.
Click here to read about Ghost Train.
Additional events during the season include Day Out with Thomas, Cool Summer Nights, K-9s in Flight, Riders in the Sky, Railroad Heritage Weekend and more.
Shopping and Dining at Tweetsie Railroad
You’re sure to work up an appetite during all of your playing at Tweetsie Railroad. Enjoy plenty of food offerings, including barbecue, pizza, hotdogs, tacos, old-fashioned ice cream and more at the many dining options within the park.
Before you leave, you’ll want to pick up a souvenir to remember your day at the park. Tweetsie Railroad has several shops where you can buy a souvenir, as well as toys, crafts, apparel and more to remember your trip.
Get a custom sign from Tweetsie Junction Store or the Sign and Glass Shop. Dive into the wild west with a western-themed photo from Jamie Leigh’s Photo Parlor.
2024 Tweetsie Railroad Tickets
Children 0-2 receive free admission to Tweetsie Railroad.
2024 Tweetsie Railroad General Admission Tickets
Adults (age 13 and older): $60 | Children (ages 3–12): $40
Valid April – October 2024, 10 am – 6 pm only. Not valid during Day Out With Thomas (one week in June).
2024 Tweetsie Railroad Golden Rail Season Pass
Adults (age 13 and older): $140 | Children (ages 3–12): $100
Unlimited daytime admission and more!
If you enter the park after 3 p.m., you can visit for free the next day when you keep your ticket stub.
More Information about Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad is located at 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock.
Tweetsie Railroad Hours
Tweetsie Railroad is typically open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Some weekends, the park stays open until 9 p.m.
Park hours vary depending on time of year. Please check the online calendar before visiting for accurate hours.
Ghost Train® is open from 7:30–11:30 p.m.
Tweetsie Christmas hours are from 5–10 p.m.
