Thousands of people of all ages have fond memories of visiting Ghost Town Maggie Valley theme park. Originally named “Ghost Town in the Sky”, the Wild West-themed amusement park was one of the most popular attractions in the eastern United States and the state of North Carolina in the 70s, 80s and 90s. As time passed, the property changed ownership, was renamed “Ghost Town Village,” and was eventually closed for business.
Now under new ownership, Ghost Town Maggie Valley theme park is undergoing major renovations and will reopen soon. The entrance to the park is located on Soco Road (US Hwy. 19) in scenic Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Maggie Valley is situated in the western part of the state, on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and near the Soco Gap entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maggie Valley is a short 30-minute drive from Asheville, NC.
One Era of Ghost Town Maggie Valley Closes – A New Era Opens
Spanning 250 acres, Ghost Town Maggie Valley theme park will reopen to the public in Spring of 2019 as “Ghost Town Adventures”. Under the management of CEO Lamar Berry, President Spencer Oberle and VP, Valerie Oberle, the park will open with its Heritage Plaza and Old Western Town in service at the initial grand opening. Renovations will be ongoing over the next five years for other parts of the park, with expansions and new attractions added as time goes on. Together, the three owners have vast experience in theme parks, with former stints in global management, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Lines and Walt Disney Company.
As before, you will leave your car in the parking lot. You reach this theme park via a scenic chairlift ride that takes you 2/3 of a mile up to the recreated Old Western Town at the top of the mountain. Old favorites will be returning, while new high-tech attractions have been added. The Old West Town, always the most popular attraction, features the Silver Dollar Saloon and the Ghost Town bank. Previous versions of the amusement showcased a live drama and shootouts on Main Street hourly. The Main Street offers a jail, the bank, saloons, restaurants, a church and retail businesses. You’ll mingle with saloon dancers, business proprietors, bank robbers, gun slingers, the sheriff, undertaker and local citizens, all in period costume, along the bustling Main Street. Take in live country music at The Red Dog Saloon.
A new generation of kids will enjoy the scenic, open-air train ride around the property. There is also a scenic overlook, like the ones you might find along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can view surrounding mountains and valleys through a telescope.
Ghost Town Adventures is located on the west end of Maggie Valley, a family resort town with inimitable charm, ideally situated right in the center of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Ghost Town Maggie Valley theme park has been the setting for several movies, including: “Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town”, “Mandie and the Secret Tunnel”, and “Ringside Rosary”.
Where to Stay Near Ghost Town Maggie Valley – Ghost Town Adventures
Discover the perfect place to stay, just moments from the Ghost Town Maggie Valley theme park, at Meadowlark Motel. Centrally located on Soco Road, in the heart of Maggie Valley, Meadowlark Motel offers a picturesque setting on the banks of Jonathan Creek. Select from an array of accommodations (cabins, guest rooms and cottages), and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. See authentic Appalachian Mountain dancers perform at the nearby Stompin’ Ground during your stay. On-property, enjoy a range of exciting guest services, from live music by local musicians, to beer and wine tastings, family night on Fridays with games and snacks, and a Saturday night cookout. Walk to the nearby festival grounds and several local restaurants from your accommodation – located at the gateway to the Smokies. Throughout the year, Meadowlark features an array of hotel packages, deals and discounts. Ask them to customize a package for you.
Plan your vacation in the mountains of Western North Carolina with our helpful list of exciting things to do near Maggie Valley, from skiing at Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, to brewery and winery tours, festivals, golfing, whitewater rafting, snowboarding, elk-viewing and gem mining. Just a short drive from Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, you’ll find Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC, where 3.6 million visitors annually try their hand at Lady Luck.
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Photo by Dsorrells, Creative Commons Attribution, Sharealike 4.0 International
Photo courtesy of: maggievalleynclife.com
