Tweetsie Railroad to open Friday for train rides
Tweetsie Railroad, a longtime North Carolina family destination, will reopen to the general public on Friday, but only a few of the amusement park's attractions will be open.
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The 200-acre amusement park first opened in July 1957 and features 14 rides, multiple daily live shows and historic steam train rides. The train takes visitors along a three-mile loop past an old-fashioned western town and includes a western-themed slapstick comedy of sorts with actors at each of the stops the train makes. For now, just the Wild West Train Ride, Main Street and Junction Stores will be open on a limited, weekend-only schedule. The park is set to open at 10 a.m, July 17, with a priority weekend for Golden Rail season pass holders. Any tickets that are not scooped up by season pass holders will be available for purchase, according to a press release.
Tweetsie was not able to open for the season this spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are opening with train ride only, just as we did in July 1957,” said Cathy Robbins, director of marketing for Tweetsie Railroad, in a press release. “The park will look a little different this year, but that is to keep both our patrons and our staff safe and healthy. We hope our family-friendly tradition in the mountains will bring families some much needed joy in a safe and clean environment.”
Tweetsie is taking the following safety precautions as it welcomes back guests, according to the announcement:
- All guests ages 11 and up are required by state law to wear face coverings and will be asked to keep six feet apart from other guests.
- Additional cleaning and sanitizing procedures throughout the facilities will take place.
- The capacity of the open-air train cars will be limited to 50% of normal capacity, and groups will leave a seat between to ensure social distancing.
- With reduced capacity, guests will reserve train ride tickets for specific times, and Golden Rail Season Pass Holders will have priority in reserving daily admission and train ride tickets for the first weekend, from July 17-19. Reservations can be made by calling the Ticket Office at 877-893-3874.
Tweetsie will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday. With much of the park not open, daily ticket prices will be reduced to $10 per adult and $7 per child (age 3-12). Children 2 and under will continue to be admitted free. No discounts will be offered with this reduced admission.
Tweetsie is about three hours from the Triangle.
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