Railroad Heritage this Weekend at Tweetsie

August 27 - 28, 2016    Railroad Heritage 2016 at Tweetsie Railroad     A ONCE PER YEAR event for railroad enthusiasts of all ages. Enjoy a very special weekend celebrating the history of Tweetsie Railroad, the ET & WNC Railroad and mountain culture. Traditional dance and craft demonstrations by the Cherokee Tsalagi Program will also be featured on Saturday. 

Tweetsie Railroad was North Carolina's first theme park and today still manages to blend fantasy, nature technology into a fun and educational experience for kids of ALL ages. Hop aboard the train and let good ol' number 12 take you on an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. You'll arrive transported back into the days of the Old West.

Even in today's high-tech world, we all still have a need for old-fashioned fun and pretend. Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer on an historic steam locomotive, Number 12, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The attraction is pen April through October.  

 

The Polar Express Returns to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for Another Season of Christmas Family Fun

November 13 - 14, 2015  (event continues through January 3, 2016)    The Polar Express at The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad  The 1 ¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City NC  depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. 

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story.  Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. 

Enjoy singing Christmas carols during the trip back. Kids of all ages will believe in the magic of the Holiday season. 

Learn more about Bryson CIty Cabin rentals, mountain inns and local attractions on our Bryson City NC Visitor Guide.

meet Santa at The Polar Express

Tweetsie Railroad Halloween Ghost Train Festival Weekends in October

October 2 - 3, 2015    Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad   Advanced ticket purchase is recommended for this very popular event. 

Fun for the whole family, this ghastly special event admission includes: all the nighttime activities in the park - the ride on the Ghost Train, trick-or-treating for the kids, Haunted House, Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, the rides in the Creepy Carnival, and the attractions in "The Boneyard” section, featuring the Black Hole, 3-D maze, and the “Freaky Forest.” 

Enjoy all the "ghastly" attractions:

• Ghost Train Rides 
• Exciting Haunted House 
• Halloween Shows 
• 3-D Maze 
• Black Hole™ 
• Trick-or-treating 
• Freaky Forest 
• Warp Tunnel
  
  

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Offers Memorable Mountain Adventures for 2015

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a favorite NC mountains attraction with both daily excursions and special events.  The train rides depart from Bryson City's historic depot and wind through the countryside of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

2015 General Excursions:
Choose from one of two adventures - the Nantahala Gorge Excursion or the Tuckasegee River Excursion - and see the beauty of Western North Carolina from an open-air gondola car or upscale first class seating.
    
The Nantahala Excursion departs Bryson City traveling along the Nantahala and Tennessee Rivers for four-and-a-half hours over the 44 miles to the Nantahala Gorge and back again. Enjoy Bluegrass music and Appalachian stories along the way. The historic Trellis Bridge crosses Fontana Lake as the train travels into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge and arrives at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for a one-hour layover.

The Tuckasegee River Excursion winds through the countryside for 33 miles and 4 hours with a one and a half hour stop in the quaint historic town of Dillsboro where you may shop the unique downtown stores and galleries. The route includes a pass by the set used for the train scenes on the popular movie "The Fugitive".

Special Event and Specialty Trains:
The 2015 season offers a full calendar year of railroading events. Book ahead for these popular trains and guarantee your seat for fun-filled memories including:

• PEANUTS™ The Valentine Express and Sweetheart Train - February 14, 11 AM
• Photo Contest - deadline for submission February 6, 2015
• PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express - April 3 and 4
• Freedom Train - July 4
• Dinosaur Train™ - July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31; August1, 2
• PEANUTS™ Pumpkin Patch Express - Oct 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
• Masquerade Train - October 31, 8 PM
• THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride -November 13 - January 3, various dates

Letterland comes to Tweetsie Railroad

May 13 - 14, 2014    Letterland at Tweetsie Railroad   For 2 more  days, the park will be transformed into the world of Letterland, the popular United Kingdom-based reading system that teaches young children the alphabet and phonics skills by bringing the letters to life.

The event will feature characters from Letterland ABC, the United Kingdoms best-selling alphabet book. Visitors will be greeted by Quarrelsome Queen and will have the opportunity to ride on Talking Tess Train, Golden Girls Go-carts and more. 

Admission: Special Letterland rates by reservation (advanced): $19 for age 3-12, $31 age 13+

Get complete local visitor information on the Blowing Rock NC Guide. 

Tweetsie Railroad Cool Summer Nights in July

July 27    Tweetsie Railroad Cool Summer Nights   The Park is open until 9 PM on select nights with special train show rides at dusk. Cool Summer Nights is included as a part of regular admission.

Tweetsie Railroad was North Carolina's first theme park and today still manages to blend fantasy, nature technology into a fun and educational experience for kids of ALL ages. Hop aboard the train and let good ol' number 12 take you on an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. You'll arrive transported back into the days of the Old West.Even in today's high-tech world, we all still have a need for old-fashioned fun and pretend. Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer on an historic steam locomotive, Number 12, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Get a link for Cool Summer Nights, Tweetsie Railroad and complete visitor information on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Tweetsie Railroad Now Open for the 2013 Season - All Aboard!

Tweetsie Railroad has opened for the 2013 Season.  Join the fun at NC's oldest theme park for another season of wild-west adventures and excitement.   April 12 through May 27, 2013 hours: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  May 31 through August 18, 2013: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.   August 23 through November 3, 2013: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday, September 2, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

Get a link for Tweetsie Railroad and nearby lodging on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide. 


Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park, takes a trip back into the days of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's still a place for old-fashioned fun. 

Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer and take a ride on historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register.

Special events are offered throughout the 2013 Season including:

May 7-9 and 15-16 : Letterland Days. See your favorite Letterland Characters come to life. From Talking Tess's Train to Eddie Elephant's gem area, each area of the Park is an opportunity for children to learn and play.

May 31 - June 9: Day Out with Thomas. All Aboard for a 25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank engine. Meet Sir Topham Hatt and enjoy storytelling, live music and build with Mega Bloks.

June 21-23: Meet Dora and Diego. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend.

July 4: 4th of July Celebration. The Park gates will be upon until 9 AM for the most exciting fireworks display in the High Country. Specialk dinner options are offered.

July 6, 13, 20, 27: Cool Summer Nights. The Park stays open until 9 PM and features special train show rides at dusk and the chance to make some cool summer memories.

July 12 - 14: Sponge Bob Square Pants and Patrick Star. Kids can meet Nickelodeon's Sponge Bob and Patrick Star from 11 AM through 3 PM throughout the weekend. 

Last Two Weeks to Ride the Polar Express

Now through December 29 join join friends and family, visitors and locals for one of the most popular Christmas mountain events: The Polar Express on The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

All Aboard The Polar Express for a memorable journey to the magic of the Holiday season. The 1.25 hour round-trip excursion departs the Bryson City NC depot for a journey through a peaceful wilderness to a special visit at the North Pole. The motion picture soundtrack music plays as guests on board enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while reading along with the magical story. 

Children's faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole" to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting each child and presenting everyone a special gift as in the story – a special silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung on the return back to the Bryson City Depot.

Find a link for the Polar Express and more NC Holiday Events on the NC Mountains Events Calendar

Last Weekend for the Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train

October 26 - 27  Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train  makes it final runs for the 2012 season this weekend.  All aboard for the 23rd spooktacular season of Tweetsie Railroad's Ghost Train® Halloween Festival and the High Country's most popular Halloween celebration.

Enjoy a variety of special frighteningly fun activities and spooktacular experiences including the Boneyard, 3-D maze, Black Hole, a stroll through the Freaky Forest and the spine-chilling Haunted House

Tweetsie Hosts Railroad Heritage Weekend

September 8-9   Railroad Heritage Weekend    A unique weekend celebrating the history of the ET & WNC Railroad and Tweetsie Railroad. Enjoy two steam engines at their finest; see historic railway films and much more. Special weekend pass required for selected events. Cherokee dance and demonstrations for all park guests. The Park is Open from 9 AM - 6 PM.

Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park, takes a trip back into the days of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's still a place for old-fashioned fun. Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer and take a ride on historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open daily April - October with special events offered.
 
Get a link for Tweetsie Railroad and other NC Attraction on the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide

Dinosaur Train at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

July 20-22, 27-29 and August 4-6   All Aboard Dinosaur Train™  based on the popular PBS-Kid television series, created by Jim Henson. This adventure filled train ride is packed full with music, stories, entertainment, and activities. PLUS all children will receive their very own Nature Trackers Club guidebook and membership card. Kids will have the opportunity to meet the popular T.rex, Buddy.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND take advantage of this GREAT DEAL:  Book your Crown Seating reservation for the Dinosaur Train™ and chill with a cool GSMR Personal Fan. In addition, every child 12 years and under, in the reservation, will receive an official Dinosaur Train™ Coloring Book. MENTION CODE: DTFAN

Get a link for tickets and details
on the Bryson City NC Visitor Guide