Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad: Take a Spooky Ride Through the Mountains in Boone, NC

The Ghost Train is a seasonal experience at the park that runs Friday and Saturday nights. When you purchase your ticket, you’ll need to choose a time to ride the train.  

The train is completely decked out with a huge skeleton face that shoots out smoke from the mouth. It’s so cool. The premise of the ride is that you are searching for missing college students, and that aliens or zombies or something else got them in the woods. There are televisions on the train that show a press conference about it, which leads into scenes with a crazy scientist and black-and-white footage of people searching for the students. 

As the train takes off into the woods, the resident zombie on the train may try to sneak up and scare you. It’s really dark, so they can move with ease. The train will stop along the way with scenes set that involve flashing lights, a gunfight, and fireballs. It’s very well done in terms of theatrics. No one jumps onto the train, and the theatrics are all on the right side of the train if you want to get closer to the action. 

The ride is about 20–25 minutes long. 

Other Things to Do at Tweetsie Railroad During Ghost Train 

The park’s carnival rides are all open, including the Ferris wheel, tornado ride, spinning cups, planes, the drop tower, and a few others that I don’t know the names of. The arcade is open as well, plus there are spooky-themed shows. 

The Freaky Forest, is a little scary as some characters will jump out at you, and a chainsaw guy may try to chase you. There’s a lady with a crocodile, too, which I found pretty fun. There is also a warped mirror experience and something called a Black Hole. I didn’t do either of them since I literally ran out of the Freaky Forest with my teen, and we were already scared enough!

The Haunted House is open as well, but we didn’t try it since my daughters and I scare easily. There were tons of families there with smaller kids who were braver than us. There was literally a dad pushing a stroller through the Freaky Forest. My daughter and I almost ran into them as we fled the chainsaw guy. We are kind of easy to scare.

My daughters and I absolutely loved the dance parties with Bigfoot and other Halloween-ish characters. They were so much fun! You can also trick-or-treat throughout the park, and Tweetsie has bags available for guests. 

What ages are best for the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad?

This will depend entirely on how scared your kids get and what freaks them out. There were lots of kids on the actual train ride and throughout the park. 

The train ride is very dark and very loud at times. The whistle is loud, the fireballs are loud and bright, the gunshots are loud. We loved all of this, but some kids may find it too overwhelming.

Tweetsie Railroad advertises the entire event as family-friendly, and there were a lot of families in attendance. The park does note that its scarier attractions – the Ghost Train, the Haunted House, and the Freaky Forest – are best for ages eight and older. The Main Street dance party, trick-or-treating, the Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular show, and the carnival rides are geared to all ages.

Tips on Enjoying the Ghost Train Experience at Tweetsie 

Here are a few things to know before you go. 

• The park is stroller-friendly. Everything is paved, so it’s easy to navigate. There are inclines, so be prepared to walk uphill at times.
• Costumes are encouraged. Feel free to get creative.
• You can enter the park when the event opens. Gates open at 7:30 pm on most nights and at 7:00 pm on October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31. Even if your train time isn’t until later, you can enter the park when it opens and stay until closing. 
• The train is open air. The mountains get chilly, so dress appropriately as the train is not enclosed. 
• There are no assigned seats. There are lines for each car on the train, and you just line up for whatever one you want. You can get in line about 10 minutes before your departure time. 
• Book ahead of time. The Ghost Train is popular, so be sure to get your tickets online.
• Your Ghost Train tickets are valid only for the nighttime event. The park is open during the day, but tickets are separate for the daytime park and the Ghost Train. 

Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad FAQs

When does the Ghost Train run in 2026?

The Ghost Train event is every Friday and Saturday evening, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., on September 25, 26, October 2, 3, 9, and 10. The event runs from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. on October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

How much are Ghost Train tickets?

Tickets are $65 for adults ages 13 and up, $45 for children ages 3–12, and free for toddlers ages two and under, with taxes and fees included. Parking is free. Tickets are sold for a specific date and train departure time, so buy ahead.

What ages is the Ghost Train good for?

Tweetsie Railroad recommends the Ghost Train, the Haunted House, and the Freaky Forest for ages eight and above. The Main Street dance party, trick-or-treating, the Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular show, and the carnival rides are good for all ages.

Does a daytime Tweetsie ticket include the Ghost Train?

No. They are two separate events with separate tickets. The park closes at 6:00 p.m. for daytime operations, and the Ghost Train requires its own date- and time-specific ticket.

Does the Ghost Train run in the rain?

Yes, Tweetsie hosts the Ghost Train rain or shine, and parts of the event are outdoors, so bring rain gear if the forecast calls for it. Check the park’s website for the most up-to-date information.