Tweetsie Railroad: Review of A Nostalgic Theme Park Full of Surprises

North Carolina’s Tweetsie Railroad theme park is full of nostalgic family fun. Wondering if a trip is right for your family? Elizabeth Faulkner shares her own Tweetsie Railroad experience so you’ll know what to expect when you visit, plus all the great mom tips.

Media passes were provided for the visit to Tweetsie Railroad. However, all opinions shared in this post are Elizabeth’s own. 

Confession of a bad mom: My family has spent a lot of time in the North Carolina mountains, specifically the Boone, North Carolina area. Lots of time. For years. And we’ve driven right by Tweetsie Railroad many times. Since my oldest daughter, who is now seven, was able to speak, she’s been begging me to take her to that ‘place with the ferris wheel’ that we pass on our way to the mountains. And I (the bad mom) had never taken my girls to Tweetsie Railroad. Until today.

If you don’t know Tweetsie Railroad, it is not exactly a new theme park. Nope. I have lots of friends who tell me about their childhood memories visiting Tweetsie. It’s been a theme park since the 1950s. Heck, it was the very first theme park in the state of North Carolina. But a theme park was not how Tweetsie Railroad began.

The history behind Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie began as a railway between Tennessee and North Carolina in the late 1800s. The extension into Boone, NC began in the early 1900s, both as a passenger train and a way of moving lumber out of the mountains. The train was referred to as Tweetsie because of the train’s “tweet tweet” whistle sound that echoed through the hills. And the name stuck.

Many years later, road development brought competition from automobiles, and later flooding in Boone brought an end to the much-adored Tweetsie Railroad. Though Tweetsie Locomotive No. 12, the only original of the 13 steam engines from the rail line, initially moved to Virginia, it eventually returned to Boone, NC, and the Tweetsie Railroad that we know today began. If you’re a history buff, you can read the Tweetsie Railroad history for yourself.

Today’s Tweetsie Railroad is a sweet theme park in Blowing Rock, North Carolina that children have loved for generations. If you are like I was, unaware of all the fun hiding in those hills, you’re in for a real treat.

Our day at Tweetsie Railroad

Our first stop after entering the gates was the train ride, of course. After all, I’d never ridden a 100+ year-old steam locomotive.  Winding through the nearby hills, this short train ride was complete with replica old mountain towns, cowboys, and even a shootout. The train ride was so fun we did it again later that afternoon.

Once we got off the train we decided to take in a show. There are many shows featuring cowboys, can-can girls, magicians, musicians, dancers, and more. Though there were lots of fun shows to see, we only made it to one. The girls and I loved it. I’d say their favorite part was when they got to get on stage and try a little can-can dancing of their own.

We rode a few rides next. I think one of the great things about Tweetsie Railroad was that we didn’t run into a single ride my seven-year-old and and three-year-old were too little to do (though there was one ride I was too big for). Now, that said, we did not get to one portion of the park that included the bigger rides, the few I’m pretty sure my little ones wouldn’t be able (or brave enough) to ride. We’ll check that out next time.

After a yummy pizza lunch, we took the chair lift up to Miner’s Mountain, the little kid portion of the park. The chair ride up to Miner’s Mountain was an adventure all on its own. If you’ve been on a ski lift it’s the same idea. Beautiful views, and a little bit of praying no one wiggles along the way as it’s a long way to the ground. I thought for sure my husband would have us walking back down the mountain because he’s not a fan of heights. But we rode the chair lift back down the mountain.

Deer Park

Honestly, once we got to Miner’s Mountain, we were running out of steam, so after the girls played on the playground a little while we headed to Deer Park Zoo. We’ve been to a bunch of zoos, so I didn’t have very high expectations for this one, but it may have been my favorite part of the day.

This animal park petting zoo includes about 90 animals visitors can get up close and personal with, including several kinds of goats, deer, emus, llamas, miniature horses, and many more. Plus, we were able to buy ice cream cones filled with feed before we walked in which made for a ton of fun. Picture animals eating feed right out of your little ones’ hands. It just doesn’t get sweeter than that!

I really loved watching the animals when they finally got to their favorite snack – the ice cream cone. What a riot. I could’ve spent all afternoon in Deer Park, but we did finally head out. It was way past nap time after all.

Though there were many rides we never got to ride and shows we didn’t see, we were all tired out after spending most of the day at Tweetsie Railroad. All in all, it was a great first (though not last!) visit to the park.

Tweetsie Railroad Review

Truth be told, I’m not sure who had more fun, the kids or me. The park is small enough to easily navigate without feeling overwhelming, which is perfect for little ones. It never felt crowded at all. It’s also full of super friendly staff.

I also really appreciated that the tickets include everything – all the rides and shows, unlimited train rides, and the zoo. This old-fashioned, family-oriented theme park is a local and regional favorite and now I understand why. Tweetsie Railroad will become a family tradition for my family, like it is for so many others.

Tips for visiting Tweetsie Railroad

And now that we’ve finally made it to this tourist hotspot I have some tips for you when you go:

• Check the seasonal schedule before you visit. Hours vary throughout the year. As of late summer/fall 2026, the park is open Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 am – 6 pm (through November 1). Special nighttime events (Ghost Train, Tweetsie Christmas) have separate tickets and hours. View the full 2026 operation schedule.
• If you do go early, make sure the top parking lot is full before you park in the lots right inside the entry. You can save yourself a little extra walking to get inside the park.
• Yes, there is a mock robbery with “bad guys,” but this doesn’t occur on the train itself. Rather you watch the show from the train. I was relieved that it wasn’t at all scary to my little ones.
• If you want the best view of the show from the train, choose the second, third, or fourth car and sit on the right side of the aisle.
• Though I didn’t see this happen, I was told that kids can get embers from the train in their eyes. You may want to bring along some sunglasses for your kids to wear.
• Walking can get tiring for little legs, so bring a stroller or wagon. Plus, you’ll have somewhere to hold your drinks and purchases. Should you not have a stroller and need one, several options are available to rent (single strollers, double strollers, and wagons). Check with the park for current rental rates.
• There are several places in eat inside Tweetsie Railroad if you don’t want to pack a lunch.
• Don’t feel like spending money on lunch? No problem! You can bring your own food into Tweetsie.
• Take pictures! There are lots of beautiful photo opportunities at Tweetsie. After all, the mountains are the backdrop. Our family shot in front of No. 12 is going to be a perfect Christmas card this year!

Tweetsie Railroad is open for the 2026 season!

Tweetsie Railroad website
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
800-526-5740

Where to Stay Near Tweetsie Railroad

Find the perfect place to stay near Tweetsie Railroad with the map below.
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Tweetsie Railroad FAQs

How much are Tweetsie Railroad tickets in 2026?

General daytime admission is $65 for adults (13+), $45 for children ages 3 – 12, and free for children 2 and under. Admission includes rides, shows, unlimited train rides, and the Deer Park Zoo. Ghost Train and Tweetsie Christmas require separate tickets and are not covered by general admission.

What days is Tweetsie Railroad open in 2026?

Tweetsie Railroad’s hours vary by season. As of late summer through fall 2026, the park is open Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 am – 6 pm through November 1. Always check the official operation schedule before your visit, especially for a weekday trip. Special evening events (Ghost Train, Tweetsie Christmas) have separate tickets and run on different dates.

How far is Tweetsie Railroad from Greenville, SC?

Tweetsie Railroad is approximately three hours from Greenville, SC. It’s a manageable day trip, though many families make a weekend of it and explore the Boone/Blowing Rock area. The park address is 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.

Is Tweetsie Railroad good for little kids?

Absolutely. Tweetsie Railroad is one of the most toddler- and preschooler-friendly theme parks in the Southeast. Nearly every ride is open to young children, and the Deer Park Zoo petting zoo is a highlight for little ones.

What is Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad?

Ghost Train is Tweetsie Railroad’s annual Halloween event. It’s safe, spooky fun for the whole family featuring Halloween shows, trick-or-treating, and an evening train ride. In 2026, it runs every Friday and Saturday night, September 25 – October 31, with gates opening at 7:30 pm. Ghost Train requires a separate ticket; general daytime admission is not valid.

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