The beloved Land of Oz theme park in western North Carolina returns for its autumn festival on select weekends in September.
The magical 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” turns 85 this year, while the Broadway show and novel “Wicked” will see a theatrical release of its take on the story sometime this year. Another version of the beloved story is “Wiz,” which just celebrated 100 performances on Broadway. And yes, the new hit movie “Twister” makes many an Oz reference.
But enough of that fantasy. I visited the real Oz on a recent trip to Beech Mountain, North Carolina! And it was every bit as wonderful as the Silver Screen and stage versions, not to mention the fantasy novel by L. Frank Baum.
More so, since I actually stood on the Yellow Brick Road!
Every fall, the folks at Land of Oz theme park have recreated Dorothy’s home and journey and her stroll along the Yellow Brick Road with all its fascinating creatures, including the Wicked Witch and Glenda, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. There's even Toto! Visitors will even walk through Auntie Em’s house and experience the tumultuous effects of a Kansas tornado!
On select weekends in September, fans can visit the Land of Oz for its annual Autumn at Oz festival, an immersive theatrical experience. Check out their website for photos and videos. Dates are Sept. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22, 2024.
But what else is over the rainbow? What is there to do in Beech Mountain beyond Oz? My friends at Pineapple Public Relations, who represent Beech Mountain, provided some suggestions…
After your Land of Oz experience, hit the aptly named Emerald Outback trails where you’ll enjoy Beech Mountain’s expansive views via more than seven miles of biking or hiking trails through pristine forests.
Perhaps pick up a pair of binoculars and look for feathered friends (and NOT flying monkeys). The Buckeye Recreation Center is a hotspot for birdwatching, even offering guided hikes. Both the rec center and the lake it is named for offer a wide range of outdoor fun options such as boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and more.
Fly High in the sky without a tornado escort, with the Beech Mountain Resort’s Scenic Chair Lift Rides. This ride up the mountain offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the fall foliage not only in North Carolina, but also Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Let the kids test their inner Lion-like courage on the new Mountaineer Adventure Tower, a three-story rope course that features a 25-foot slide! For kids (and adults) of all ages, Mino Golf and Disc Golf can challenge those Scarecrow-level brains.
Learn more about the history of The Land of Oz theme park and early life on Beech Mountain at the Beech Mountain History Museum. The collection includes chronicles on the area’s earliest known visitors—the Cherokees; logging, milling and railroads on the mountain; the era of development by the Carolina Caribbean Corporation; early skiing and the creation of Ski Beech resort; the Land of Oz amusement park; and other interesting displays.
After experiencing all this fun, guests will certainly be famished. Beech Mountain provides a wide array of cuisine choices, from barbecue to pizza, tavern favorites to Mexican fare, and many restaurants include outdoor and indoor seating options and live music on designated days.
A favorite spot for visitors to head after a day of fun on the mountain is Beech Mountain Brewing Co., a rare example of a U.S. brewery owned and operated by a ski area.
The family-friendly Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria also does not disappoint. The menu features pasta, sandwiches, hoagies, High Risers, salads, ice cream, fudge, homemade chocolates, beers from all over the world, and a full bar. As fun as it is delicious, the restaurant also offers an arcade, mini-golf and outdoor fire pits.
