Santa'sLand Fun Park and Zoo

Cherokee, United States

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Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo in Cherokee, North Carolina, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, opened in June 1966 as a family-owned Christmas-themed attraction blending nostalgic rides, a zoo, and holiday magic with one low admission price covering everything for unlimited fun.

Guests ride the Rudicoaster, Ferris wheel, carousel, boats, cars, train, and paddleboats, explore Santa's house for year-round visits and photos (extra fee), watch magic shows, animated elf displays, and a choir, plus feed animals like lemurs, bears, deer, goats, exotic birds, and farm critters in Zooland amid giant statues, playgrounds, gift shops, and food stands.

Celebrating nearly 60 years of throwback Americana with a laid-back vibe perfect for young kids and families, it evokes a time portal near Dollywood for affordable thrills, animal encounters, and Smoky Mountain memories.