Santa's Land - Cherokee, NC

I cannot believe it has been almost a year since I wrote a blog post. I hope to post more regularly next year, but for now, here's a look at a small Christmas-themed park in the Great Smoky Mountains called Santa's Land. I had the chance to visit this quaint park this past July.

Santa's Land opened in 1966, and it feels like a time capsule from the golden age of roadside attractions. Cherokee, North Carolina and neighboring Maggie Valley are both tourist towns that have declined in popularity since the 60s, so Santa's Land is a relic from a past era of tourism in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Unfortunately, the carousel was closed for the day, but the park made sure you were aware of this fact before purchasing a ticket!

The park is encircled by a miniature train, with a large zoo taking up one end of the park alongside quaint storybook buildings and tableaux. The other end of the park is home to Fun Land, which houses a small collection of rides.

The rides include classic Allan Herschell helicopters and boats as well as an "umbrella" ride built by a Belgian manufacturer. It still has a trailer hitch attached to the platform, yet it has probably not been on the road in at least 50 years.

Another classic kiddie ride is the Midge-O-Racer, built by Eyerly Aircraft. The park owner explained to me that each of the numbers has significance to him personally, whether they sport his high school football number or represent the park's fiftieth anniversary.

The park's roller coaster is the Rudicoaster, built in 1989. On your approach to the park, there are billboards urging you to "ride the Rudicoaster" for miles!

The park contains several animated displays built in the early 1960s by New York City department store window artist David Hamburger. They have been maintained remarkably well, though the song sung by the elves is a little unsettling (not in a bad way).

This display used to be creepier, as it was lit entirely in blacklight. This elf also used to hold a meat cleaver and would slice the ham sitting next to him. Other displays include a family of deer and penguins.

The park has several buildings formerly used to house craft demosntrations, including a grist mill and broom maker.

Unfortunately, there were no broom-making demonstrations on the day we visited.

Despite the age of the park, the buildings and rides all looked fresh.

The Allan Herschell boat ride used to be commonplace at parks, but many have been removed over time.

The park's tallest ride is this "Big Eli" Ferris Wheel, named after its manufacturer, the Eli Bridge Company. You board your car after ascending this Astroturf-covered platform.

The most impressive fact about this Ferris wheel is that it formerly operated at the legendary Palisades Park in New Jersey before that park closed in 1971. It still offers a smooth glide over the treetops.

No real roadside attraction in the South is complete without a moonshine still. If you ask how this is related to Christmas, stop asking silly questions.

Another animated tableau is Scrooge and the Ghost of Marley. The ghost slightly moves his hands, but there is no soundtrack, making this another slightly disconcerting display.

Tucked in the back of the park is a snow cone stand and a small lake, which is home to paddle boats. Monkeys inhabit two islands in the middle of the lake, and there are lots of koi fish in the water itself.

The polka dot boat is slightly off-balance, but I'm sure they'll be okay!

It is slightly surreal to be outside in 80 degree weather in the summer with instrumental Christmas music playing over the park's crackly old PA system. The music is only interrupted by the bell of Santa's Express, which constantly rings as the train makes its rounds.

I love hand-painted signage, and the park's chapel has a great sign.

Nearby the chapel sits this nativity scene across the stream.

One of the park's main attractions remains the chance to meet Santa, and he can be found in this brightly-colored building.

After you enter the park, you are greeted by two large fiberglass statues, including this snowman.

There is also this towering, slightly sinister Easter bunny, who has been a park fixture since 1970.

Here's another piece of signage that feels like you're stepping back in time.

The park's theater hosts a magic show every few hours, and a small magic shop sits nearby.

It is important to mention that Santa's Land has a large array of animals, including deer, black bears, peacocks, and camels. The park has been criticized for its small enclosures that are typical of roadside zoos.

The park's train cuts right through the walkway, with nothing to stop guests from getting in its way.

As you exit through the gift shop, you experience another time capsule. Amongst other retro souvenirs, you'll see old GAF "Pana-Vue" travel slides in the upper right. Given that GAF shut down its photo division in 1977, these slides have doubtlessly been sitting here for a long time. I had to purchase a set, though they have turned very red over time. The back says you can send 25 cents for your Pana-Vue Slide Catalog and a free slide by writing to a PO Box in Portland. I might have to try that.

I hope you enjoyed this trip to Santa's Land in Cherokee, North Carolina! Have a great Christmas.