The Best Hotels to Book Near Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park, North Carolina

If an eight-acre (3ha) lake stocked with brown and brook trout is all you need to be convinced by Chetola Resort, then we’ll leave it at that. But in case you’re also interested in sleeping, we can tell you that the large lake-view lodge rooms are too cozy for their own good, tempting you to stay in and savor the silence. You’ll certainly need a solid night’s rest with all the hiking trails, lawn games and sports courts on offer here.

Courtyard by Marriott gives you comfort and convenience without asking for too much cash. Close to the highway and minutes from Tweetsie Railroad, this hi-tech hotel has a lobby with a large flat-screen weather display, so you can take a rain check before heading to the park. Fancy yourself something of a meteorologist? Stick a finger in the air while you get toasty, cuddling up by the outdoor fire pit.

Only six minutes’ drive from Tweetsie Railroad, Hillwinds Inn is perfect for those determined to be at the theme park from opening time to the bitter end. Ride until the Big Dipper constellation appears, then return to Hillwinds for some much needed relaxation – there’s no queuing necessary for the rocking chair on the front porch. Kids tucked in? Exercise your grown-up muscles with a wine-lubricated social hour in the lounge area.

When the crisp mountain air meets the front porch rocking chair, you’ll know you’ve found the rustic getaway you craved. Call Boxwood’s log cabin your own for a spell, and whittle away time however you wish – whipping up wholesome meals in a full-sized kitchen, or playing cards by the flickering fireplace. Need to pop out for supplies? Downtown is just moments away – as is Tweetsie Railroad.

The Inn at Crestwood invites you and your furry family members to call their country resort home. Book a villa with a private terrace, gas fireplace, and full whirlpool bath; we suggest the Hawthorne Cottage (and won’t judge if you dub it Pawthorne). Spend the nights warming up in your villa, but spend the sunlit hours exploring Boone’s backwoods by following the Hebron Falls trailhead from right outside your suite.

Are the trains at Tweetsie Railroad a little slow for your big kids? Hampton Inn & Suites will help you kick it up a notch. This unfussy hotel is a few traffic lights west of the Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, where your preteens can catch some air. Back at the hotel, you’re free to relax at the indoor pool while they use as much free wifi as possible, uploading their action shots to YouTube.

The historic Hemlock Inn is one of the best base camps for anyone exploring Blowing Rock. All rooms are equipped with kitchens, but there’s nothing to stop you heading for nearby Blowing Rock Brewing Company or the Grilled Cheese Cafe. The art and history museum gives you another sample of the area, but to really get a taste of local life, you should cross the street and hop on a trailhead.

Booking a stay at the Manor is like stumbling into a goldmine. This mountainous escape has five suite types to sift through, from high-country modern deluxe options to presidential kings that boast wet bars and deep soaking tubs. Blowing Rock’s easy pace seeps through your suite door, convincing you to switch to mountain time – by which we mean time for uninterrupted relaxation. If you do need a thrilling activity, Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine is up the road and may send you home with some rare stones.