Tweetsie Railroad – Ride the Rails & Enjoy a Wild West Show in NC

Most folks who have traveled down US Highway 321 through Watauga County, NC with the kids have probably seen or visited Tweetsie Railroad. The 200-acre amusement park opened July 4, 1957 and is located between Boone and Blowing Rock.

Tweetsie offers fourteen amusement rides for a variety of ages, a petting zoo, and several Western-themed shows, but the biggest attraction for most people is the coal-fired locomotive that rambles the rails around a three-mile stretch in the beautiful, scenic NC mountains.

I remember visiting Tweetsie as a little girl. I couldn't wait to sit on one of the play horses and see the train. Back in those days, Fred Kirby, a singing cowboy who made it to stardom, would meet the kids at the train. What an amazing time to get a chance to shake someone's hand that I had seen on TV! Adults who visit Tweetsie may reminisce about those days with Fred Kirby while bring the grands or great grands to the theme park...and just might try twirling a toy pistol around his finger while his grandchild is in the bathroom...shhhhh!

Wild West Show Near Boone & Blowing Rock

These days, some young guys, and perhaps even a few cowgirls, still embody a lot of the Wild West spirit as they act out a scene in front of the shops as visitors can look on from the train. They still have lots of play horses (I think my kids liked climbing up on these as much as any ride at the park), old time wagons, and more for photo opportunities. They also have several shops with lots of benches in the shade for those summer months.

People watchers may love Tweetsie. We met a great-great-grandmother who was in her 90s who was collecting hugs from all the kids. I also met someone at the theme park who had relatives buried in the cemetery right in the middle of the park. My mom remembers going to Tweetsie once many years ago when they stopped all the rides for a funeral. Some folks still come into the amusement park to place flowers or flags on the graves of loved ones.

Tweetsie ET&WNC Famous Steam Engine

If you are wanting the best seats on the train ride, choose the middle car and sit on the side closest to the rides - like the passenger side in a car. You'll get the best view of the two scenes on the far side of the mountain. Back when I was little, the cowboys and Indians would race each other through the aisles and provided a rather intense showdown, but these days, the show is much tamer.

Cowboys and Cowgirls at NC Theme Park

They do still have some gunfire, but it is intermingled with a bunch of foolishness, as we Southerners like to say. The train makes two stops and the actors take the action off the train. Most of the actors split up and ride on the train while visiting and will pose for a few pictures or are happy to answer questions while riding around the mountain. The actors wave and show the kids they are ok as the train begins to leave for the next stop. My girls particularly liked seeing the horse in the show.

Gunfight at Tweetsie Amusement Park

I took my family to Tweetsie last year, and we rode the train twice. We saw a completely different show each time. One of the cowboys said they were alternating the shows, so you might want to check with one of the actors the day of your visit to see if they are rotating shows so that you can plan your ride accordingly.

Steam Engine at NC Theme Park

Children who are scared of loud noises or big trains may enjoy the smaller mouse mine train ride at Tweetsie, or you might want to come prepared with ear plugs if they want to try riding. You could always put them in the Tweetsie jail if they act up...it's free and makes for a cute photo opportunity!

Coal-burning Locomotive Still Running at Tweetsie

The train ride is included in the admission for Tweetsie, and the train leaves on a regular schedule. Visitors can ride the famous train as many times as they wish during their visit. It is interesting just to watch how they fill the engine with tons of coal and add many gallons of water to the train, if the kids will stand still long enough for you to watch the process.

I particularly enjoyed Tweetsie Railroad because it's a small amusement park, has FREE parking (they may charge during special events), and the staff is very friendly, helpful, and nice. Although the amusement park can get very crowded during special events such as Thomas the Tank Engine days, when Dora the Explorer comes, or during the Haunted Train rides in October, most days are not very crowded, and many times there were very short lines. If they didn't have a line, the guys running the rides would let the kids ride for an extra long time.

Train Ride in North Carolina

Tweetsie Railroad is scheduled to open April 29, 2011 and plans to be open through October 30, 2011. See the Tweetsie official web site for specific information on pricing, times, and special offers. We took advantage of their deal where you could come after 3:00 p.m. one day and come back the next day for free. They offered me a discount for being a state employee, so doing a little research may be very helpful on saving a few dollars.

I have three kids with different interests who like to take off in all directions when I'm not looking. Buying the pink cowgirl hats with a tiara on front was a great way to keep up with all of them and it was a nice way to keep the sun out of their eyes.

Meet Cowboys and Indians at Tweetsie

Here are a few facts about the locomotive engines at Tweetsie for the train enthusiasts, obtained from the Tweetsie official web site.

Engine #12:

• The engine was built in 1943 by Baldwin Locomotive Works.
• The United States Army Transportation Corps used engine #12 in Alaska during World War II.
• It was known as the "Yukon Queen" when used on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad after WWII.
• Brought to Tweetsie in 1960.
• Working weight with coal and water is 105 tons.

Engine #190:

• The engine was built in 1917 by Baldwin Locomotive Works and originally sold for $14,000.
• Only surviving engine of the original 13 East Tennessee & Western North Carolina (ET&WNC is also nicknamed Eat 'Taters & Wear No Clothes) narrow-gauge steam locomotives.
• Working weight with coal and water equals 82.5 tons .
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

I was pleased to see that Tweetsie is still up and running after all these years. The scenery is beautiful, the atmosphere is laid back, and the kids got a chance to have a blast while I enjoyed remembering times of the past at Tweetsie Railroad!

Find more great travel destinations for the family at the Travel NC With Kids site map.