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North Carolina's Halloween Train Rides

Published: August 27, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Halloween in North Carolina comes with crisp air, fiery foliage, and a surprisingly perfect pairing: trains.

From steam-powered scares in the High Country to candy-filled cabooses in the Triangle and Piedmont, the state’s railways lean into the season with rides that range from gently festive to delightfully frightful.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you choose the right Halloween-themed train ride for your family or friend group, plus practical tips for getting tickets and making the most of the experience.

Locations

Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad transforms after dark into one of North Carolina’s signature Halloween experiences.

The park’s famous narrow-gauge steam locomotive becomes the Ghost Train, anchoring a nighttime event designed to thrill older kids, teens, and adults. Expect immersive haunted attractions, walk-throughs, live shows, and plenty of costumed characters. The train ride itself includes eerie scenes and jump scares as it chugs through the mountains.

By day, the park is all Wild West fun—rides, shows, and classic attractions. After sunset, the whole place transforms with costumed characters, eerie décor, music, and Halloween‑themed experiences.

Little ones can hit dance parties, trick‑or‑treat stations, themed photo ops, and the Palace Spooktacular Show.

Thrill‑seekers can brave the Ghost Train night ride, creep through the Haunted House, and wander the shadowy Freaky Forest.

And everyone can enjoy the park’s most popular rides after dark at the Creepy Carnival.

Good to know

This is a true “scare” event. Some elements may be intense for young children. Families with little ones can still enjoy earlier, less-scary areas of the park, but the headliner experiences are geared to bigger kids and grown-ups.

Timed tickets and reservations are required, typically on weekend nights from late September through October, and they sell out quickly.

Blowing Rock nights can be chilly; dress warmly, and consider ear protection for sensitive guests (steam whistles and sound effects can be loud).

Plan to arrive early for parking, security, and to explore non-ride attractions before your Ghost Train departure window.

North Carolina Transportation Museum

The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer occupies the former Southern Railway Spencer Shops, a 60-acre historic site celebrating transportation by rail, road, and air. Centerpiece is the 37-stall Bob Julian Roundhouse, the largest remaining in North America, housing steam and diesel locomotives and rail cars. Restored buildings display classic automobiles, trucks, fire engines, and aviation exhibits, including Piedmont Airlines artifacts.

Families enjoy 25-minute train rides on select days, guided tours, and hands-on learning. Signature events—Day Out With Thomas, the Polar Express, and car shows—draw crowds. Preservation shops and education programs highlight ongoing restoration, history, and innovation today.

During select dates in October the museum hosts the Halloween Train that, along with a train ride, includes hayrides, games, music, a scavenger hunt, and more.

New Hope Valley Railway

Run by dedicated volunteers of the North Carolina Railway Museum, New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal offers a Triangle-area Halloween staple: “Track or Treat.” The vibe is neighborly and fun, with decorated open-air cars, friendly characters, and trick-or-treat stations set up around the rail yard. It’s perfect for younger kids and those who love trains but prefer fun over fright.

Good to know

Rides often run several times per event day; plan for roughly an hour on site for the ride plus candy collecting.

Costumes are welcome. Bring a treat bag or bucket for candy.

Parking and boarding can be busy—arrive early to avoid a last-minute rush.

Because cars are open-air, consider light layers and ear protection for kids who are sensitive to engine noise.

Safety and etiquette

Follow crew instructions and stay behind safety lines. Trains and platforms are active work environments, even during events.

Keep hands and arms inside the cars, and watch kids closely at stops.

If your group includes food allergies, consider pre-checking candy policies or bringing safe alternatives to swap.

Wear costumes that are safe for boarding (no trailing hems or obstructed vision).

Final Thoughts

Halloween train rides blend nostalgia, nature, and just the right amount of spooky. Whether you’re in it for mountain magic on the Pumpkin Patch Express, a volunteer-powered “Track or Treat,” museum-made memories in Spencer, a tiny-train adventure in Durham, or the high-drama chills of Tweetsie’s Ghost Train, there’s a ride that fits your vibe.

Dates, details, and offerings can change year to year, so always confirm schedules, age recommendations, and ticketing on the official websites before you go. With a little planning—and a lot of costume creativity—you’ll have a fall tradition that keeps your crew grinning all the way down the line.