8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George So many rides. I am very grateful to the Magic Forest for essentially saving all this original fiberglass all these years, and also for calling us rather than an auction house who could care less about anything other than the money, says Baker. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! Best Western of Lake George 2452 State Route 9N, Lake George, NY, 12845 $77 per night Mar 1 - Mar 2 Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lake George. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. We did go early in the season. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Yes. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. Many recycled rides from other parks. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. Ruben Ellsworth, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, purchased the Magic Forest amusement park from the Gillette family, who has operated the park for nearly 60 years. At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. You can get the I LOVE NY Travel Guide by, 2023 New York Department of Economic Development, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources for Travelers, Spotlight: Jamestown and Chautauqua-Allegheny. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Mixed among the dioramas are giant statues of American icons, several of them reworked Muffler Men: Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Smokey Bear, the Statue of Liberty, a big Indian, a couple of space-walking astronauts. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. For what he does for them, that poor guy is not taken care of very well in return (matted mane, hooves not properly trimmed, SMALL paddock that he is just put back into after his dive, soken wet), and he doesn't seem to enjoy what he's made to do. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. When sorting through his collection, Gillette knew that those items, in particular, should be auctioned. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. 3. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Enjoy watching the magic show by Jimmy Brown and the diving show by the last diving horse called Lightning. Is there a live Santa the kids can visit with? WebMagic Forest Route 9, Lake George, NY Best For: Infants 0-2 Little Kids 3-6 Big Kids 7-9 Tweens 10-12 Teens 13-17 Best suited for the very young, or anyone with a penchant for quirky roadside attractions, this small amusement park opened in WebMagic Forest (Gone) Lake George, New York The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. This place is great! The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Web1912 State Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 Visit Site Adirondacks Region Details Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. This is a must see. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. But then there is a whole dinosaur park with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the forest. For Everything Lake George, It's On LakeGeorge.com, LakeGeorge.com All Rights Reserved 2023, Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are In at the Magic Forest, Find more amusement parks and attractions in Lake George >>. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. Was wondering about parking at magic forest theme park (parking is free) and taking the trolley to great escape. Magic Forests rides and layout will mostly remain the same, except for the removal of Uncle Sam and a few other fixtures, including animal statues; 23 of the 25 rides will remain in operation. Jack Collins is slated to be the General Manager and COO of the new park; he brings experience working as the General Manager of the Great Escape and has also consulted with Santas Workshop in Wilmington. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The animals were severely underfed. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Explore the unknown as you traverse the Dino Nest and uncover the world sleeping beneath our feet as you excavate colossal dinosaurs in the Fossil Dig Site. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Mixed among the dioramas are giant statues of American icons, several of them reworked Muffler Men: Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Smokey Bear, the Statue of Liberty, a big Indian, a couple of space-walking astronauts. Website Design by Trampoline Advertising & Design Co. | Web Site Development & Hosting by Nolee-O Web Design, Web Site Development & Hosting by Nolee-O Web Design. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Take your kids to the Magic Forest to let them have a perfect time in this retro themed amusement park filled with around 25 fun rides including the kiddie rides that are perfect for both the toddlers and the older kids. They came from Woodys Fiberglass in Tennessee, Bensons Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire, a mini-golf course in Ohio, and the Danbury Fair in Connecticut. Not for family but for the individual. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. There are plenty of unnerving fairy tale statues along the wooded trails of Magic Forest -- an impressive collection of contorted bodies, asymmetrical faces, weird leers, and bulging eyes. Hundreds of fiberglass figures strewn about the heavily-wooded park were faded by decades of sun and exposure to the elements, covered in spider webs and other forest detritus. WebMagic Forest 3.5 461 #10 of 27 things to do in Lake George Amusement & Theme Parks Closed now 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A family fun park, in the Adirondacks, that features 25 amusement rides, including the Safari Ride, plus live animal performances, magic shows and the ever-popular "Rex the Diving Horse." The kids thought the place was greatmy husband and I thought it could be better. Best Western of Lake George 2452 State Route 9N, Lake George, NY, 12845 $77 per night Mar 1 - Mar 2 Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lake George. "Magic Forest" redirects here. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. Web1912 State Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 Visit Site Adirondacks Region Details Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Today, many roar obliviously north on the interstate, but enough families exit to keep MF hopping, under the management of Arthur's successor, Jack Gillette, since 1988. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Soon we will require you to update your account to a Roadpass account as it will be the only way to log in to Roadtrippers. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. Best suited for the very young, or anyone with a penchant for quirky roadside attractions, this small amusement park opened in 1963, and retains some of its retro charm. 51. All of that was fine. WebMagic Forest 3.5 461 #10 of 27 things to do in Lake George Amusement & Theme Parks Closed now 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A family fun park, in the Adirondacks, that features 25 amusement rides, including the Safari Ride, plus live animal performances, magic shows and the ever-popular "Rex the Diving Horse." His father and uncle started a carnival together. WebLake George (0.7 miles from Magic Forest) Situated off Interstate 87 and set in the heart of the Adirondack Park Preserve, this Holiday Inn Resort Lake George offers indoor and outdoor pools and an on-site restaurant and lounge. The World's Largest Uncle Sam looms in the center of the parking lot, and other friendly icons beckon from the heavily wooded knoll where the Magic Forest lives. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only
Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It's perfect. Never ever again will we return. WebMagic Forest - Lake George Expedition Park FUN TO MAKE YOU SOAR Enter a world of nostalgia and wonder Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! The train ride was a Diesel engine that kept throwing black smoke in our faces, and at the end of it the animation & recording say that they are going to blow the train up, which really scared our 5 year old son. June 27 - Sept. 5
Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. The stable and manger are not in use. Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. No computerized rides here! WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Are you associated with this business? $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. When I visited the Magic Forest in 2015, the woman at the ticket counter tried to dissuade ustwo adults with nary a child in sightfrom entering. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. Will go again when were in the area. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. A bit dirty, rides seem OLD and somewhat banged up, and the animals are not taken care of very well (they seem well fed but cages are dirty and small). Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Jack Gillette, the longtime owner of Magic Forest, initially purchased Uncle Sam (and other pieces) at auction from the Danbury Fair decades ago when the fair closed its doors in 1981. Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. The park's famous Santa Claus overlooks the parking lot. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Then there are the fairy tale worlds blessed with good fortune, as if every child who ever visited used up a secret wish on its behalf. Jack Gillette, the longtime owner of Magic Forest, initially purchased Uncle Sam (and other pieces) at auction from the Danbury Fair decades ago when the fair closed its doors in 1981. "His head is the way we got him. About 20 dioramas -- accompanied by audio at the push of a button -- bring to life the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel & Gretel, assorted princesses and woodsmen Magic Forest opened in 1963, the brainchild of Arthur Gillette, who wisely built his fairyland along a major highway (Route 9) and just south of the town of Lake George, a magnet for summertime and weekend crowds from New York City. Explore the unknown as you traverse the Dino Nest and uncover the world sleeping beneath our feet as you excavate colossal dinosaurs in the Fossil Dig Site. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. Would have loved to have seen the dinosaurs. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. As of this week, over 700 lots from Magic Forest were posted by Schenectady-based Collar City Auction & Realty Management, all put there by the parks former owner, Jack Gilette. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. 7.1/10 Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears? Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. WebLake George (0.7 miles from Magic Forest) Situated off Interstate 87 and set in the heart of the Adirondack Park Preserve, this Holiday Inn Resort Lake George offers indoor and outdoor pools and an on-site restaurant and lounge. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. But in fact, hes actually returned home. The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. These are rides that we as children went on growing up and rides we brought our children to go on when they were little but at different amusement parks. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Definitely recommend for little kids. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. Are you associated with this business? Animals and astronauts are headed to a campground in Iowa, and Story Land in New Jersey purchased a castle, a Robin Hood figure, and several animals. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Close. Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. Hundreds of fiberglass figures strewn about the heavily-wooded park were faded by decades of sun and exposure to the elements, covered in spider webs and other forest detritus. For other uses, see, "Dinosaurs coming to Lake George this summer", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_George_Expedition_Park&oldid=1074053798, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2022, at 04:51. A lion-head drinking fountain (and lion-head trash can), a caveman family, Ma and Pa Kettle, an Esso tiger, a 15-foot Santa, a one-hump camel, a skull, and several other pieces are still up for sale.