Blowing Rock, NC
Tweetsie Railroad
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-23- TypeFamily Wild West theme park centered on a three-mile historic narrow-gauge steam train ride
- LocationBlowing Rock, NC
- Rating4.7 ★5,480 Google reviews
- UpcomingFri, Sep 25
- Tickets & faresDaytime tickets are not date-specific for eligible dates; Ghost Train and Christmas tickets are date- and train-time-specific
- AccessibilityThe second car of the Wild West Train and the Mouse Mine Train accommodate standard-sized wheelchairs
About Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad is a family-owned Wild West theme park built around a three-mile narrow-gauge steam train adventure between Boone and Blowing Rock. Daytime admission covers the train, live entertainment, classic rides, Deer Park Zoo, and most activities, while food, retail, gem-mining buckets, and animal feed cost extra. The operator's current train page says locomotive No. 12 is undergoing restoration; No. 190 remains an operating historic locomotive and is specifically named for the 2026 Railroad Heritage Weekend program. Ordinary daytime tickets are flexible across eligible operating dates, but Ghost Train and Tweetsie Christmas require separate date- and train-time-specific tickets. Mountain weather can change operations, so verify the live calendar on the morning of the visit.
Choose the Tweetsie Visit That Fits
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies who want the full train-centered theme-park experience
Regular daytime Wild West adventure
Use an eligible daytime ticket for the three-mile steam train, live shows, classic rides, Deer Park Zoo, and a full park day. Trains generally run every 40-45 minutes during the regular season.
Railfans and families who want deeper steam-history programming
Railroad Heritage Weekend
August 29-30 adds locomotive-shop tours, historic exhibits, Coach No. 5 access, presentations, and scheduled No. 190 operation to ordinary daytime admission.
Families seeking an after-dark Halloween event
Ghost Train
Twelve Friday and Saturday nights from September 25 through October 31 use separate, date-specific admission for a family Halloween program from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Holiday visitors ready for a cold-weather open-air ride and timed boarding
Tweetsie Christmas
Twenty select evenings from November 27 through December 30 include one reserved, roughly 20-minute open-air Christmas train ride plus holiday attractions.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingParking is free, with designated disability spaces beside the front entrance
- WeatherHours and rides can change with weather; temporarily closed rides may support a current-season rain check under the guest guide's terms
- RestroomsAccessible restrooms are at the Depot, Hacienda, Miners Mountain, and Upper Country Fair; there are no restrooms on the Christmas train
- Admission2026 daytime admission is $65 for ages 13+, $45 for ages 3-12, and free for children age two and under; current prices include taxes and fees
- RideThe signature ride is a three-mile Wild West adventure behind a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive
- FrequencyDuring regular April-October operations, the operator says trains run approximately every 40-45 minutes
- LocomotiveNo. 12 is currently under restoration; check the official train page for the locomotive and restoration status before travel
- AccessThe second car of the Wild West Train and the Mouse Mine Train accommodate standard-sized wheelchairs
- TerrainMost park areas are accessible, but the mountain site includes hills; an accessible bus connects the Tweetsie Palace and Miners Mountain
- PetsLeashed pets are permitted in the park but not on trains, rides, the chair lift, or in Deer Park Zoo; service-animal rules are separate
- TicketsDaytime tickets are not date-specific for eligible dates; Ghost Train and Christmas tickets are date- and train-time-specific
- ChaperonesGuests age 15 and under require an adult chaperone age 21 or older under the current park policy
Find the Depot
The Trains
Tweetsie operates two Baldwin narrow-gauge steam locomotives: 1917-built No. 12, the last surviving ET&WNC narrow-gauge locomotive, and 1943-built No. 190, the former U.S. Army Transportation Corps and White Pass & Yukon Yukon Queen. The current official train page says No. 12 is undergoing firebox and mechanical restoration. No. 190 is specifically scheduled for the 2026 Railroad Heritage Weekend Wild West train. Both locomotive assignment and daily operating details can change for maintenance, safety, and weather, so historic gallery images are not guarantees for a specific ticket.
History
Baldwin Locomotive Works completed ET&WNC locomotive No. 12.
Baldwin completed U.S. Army Transportation Corps locomotive No. 190 for wartime service in Alaska.
Tweetsie Railroad opened near Blowing Rock with No. 12 and a one-mile excursion.
The park completed the three-mile rail loop used by the signature train adventure.
Tweetsie acquired No. 190, the Yukon Queen, from the White Pass & Yukon Railway.
The park established its specialized Steam Locomotive Shop.
Locomotive No. 12 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Tweetsie published a full daytime, Ghost Train, and Christmas operating calendar while No. 12 remained under restoration.
See full history
The East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad carried the Tweetsie nickname through the mountains, and its 1917 Baldwin No. 12 survived the end of narrow-gauge operations. Grover Robbins Jr. brought the locomotive back to the Boone area, and Tweetsie Railroad opened in 1957 with a one-mile excursion. The loop reached three miles the next year, No. 190 arrived from Alaska in 1960, and the property grew into North Carolina's first theme park. Tweetsie's on-site locomotive shop continues the specialized work required to maintain historic steam power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 2026 daytime ticket cost?
The current official price is $65 for adults and teens age 13+, $45 for children ages 3-12, and free for children two and under. Taxes and fees are included.
Is the train included with daytime admission?
Yes. Regular daytime admission includes the three-mile Wild West train adventure along with live shows, amusement rides, and other park attractions.
Which steam locomotive will pull the train?
Do not assume from a photo. The operator currently says No. 12 is under restoration; No. 190 remains active and is named for Railroad Heritage Weekend. Check the live train page for your date.
Is the Wild West Train wheelchair-accessible?
The operator says the second train car accommodates standard-sized wheelchairs. Disability parking is near the entrance, and an accessible bus connects the lower park with Miners Mountain.
How often does the train run?
The current entertainment page says approximately every 40-45 minutes during regular April-October operations. Special events use different schedules or assigned train times.
Do Ghost Train and Christmas use the daytime ticket?
No. They are separate events. Each requires a date-specific ticket, and Christmas tickets also carry an assigned train departure time.
Can pets ride the train?
No. Leashed pets may enter the park but are excluded from trains, rides, the chair lift, and Deer Park Zoo. Review the separate service-animal policy if applicable.
What happens in bad weather?
Weather can change hours and ride operation. Check the live calendar and guest guide before leaving; the park publishes a current-season rain-check policy for qualifying shutdowns.
Where is Tweetsie Railroad?
The entrance is at 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane on Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 23, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 schedule for exact operating dates and daily hours
- Official ticket page for 2026 prices, inclusions, special-event rules, and After 3 terms
- Official train page for No. 12 restoration, No. 190, and locomotive specifications
- Official accessibility page for parking, wheelchair train car, bus, restrooms, and service-animal details
- Official guest guide for train frequency, pets, chaperones, weather, re-entry, and visitor policies
- Official 2026 season fact sheet for three-mile ride, schedule, event, price, and parking facts
- Official Railroad Heritage Weekend page for 2026 No. 190 operation and rail programming
- Official Ghost Train page for current ticketed Halloween experience
- Official Tweetsie Christmas page for reserved ride, duration, open-air cars, and ticket rules
- Official history document for the railroad's 1957 opening and locomotive timeline
- Exact licensed Tweetsie media records
