Since 1957, Tweetsie Railroad has held court as WNC’s original theme park. Tweetsie’s famed Engine #12 was purchased for the park from no less than the “Singing Cowboy,” Gene Autry.
The Free Fall at Tweetsie Railroad.
While much has been added to Tweetsie Railroad over the decades, the traditional Old West-themed elements are still a main draw.
A visitor’s day at Land of Oz ended on a high note, with rides on a modified chairlift system fashioned as hot air balloons.
While Land of Oz took some liberties with the original story, all of the main characters were there—and they continue to make appearances at the annual Autumn at Oz weekends.
The entrance to Santa’s Land as it appeared back in the 1960s, when it opened. Inside, a storybook village full of Christmas-worthy diversions awaits.
Gold City was originally called Gold Mountain.
Gold City’s most original setting was the “Spanish village” that paid homage to explorers of long ago.
Ghost Town in the Sky has a richly storied past, but stay tuned for news about a potential fresh vision for the former theme park, which has new owners.
The chairlift to the top of Buck Mountain was only the beginning of the adventure. Ghost Town in the Sky was replete with shows, rides, shops, and pretend shoot-outs that seemed plenty real to young visitors.
Cherokee Wonderland never reached its full potential, but these color renditions show just how grand its plans were.
Following in the tradition of Tweetsie Railroad and Ghost Town in the Sky, Frontier Land promised a visit to the Old West right here in contemporary Western North Carolina.
