Fear not, Magic Forest lovers the new Lake George Expedition Park will be adding onto the Magic Forest park along Route 9 between Lake George and Queensbury. 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! Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. June 27 - Sept. 5 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. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. When the Fair went out of business, Jack Gillette bought him in April 1982 (along with dozens of other statues) and stood him in the Magic Forest parking lot. I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. 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. No, I would say age 8 max. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. It is now a running joke In our family that as a pumishment we will return to bizzaro world. The park is almost completed shaded. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass. 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. 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only Its a good mix of things to do. Close. Yes. 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. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. The former Magic Forest amusement park, located at the corner of Route 9 and Bloody Pond Road, has since shed the towering fiberglass giants that once loomed over its parking lot. 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The it in questions runs the amusement part gamut, from typical equipment like a heater and a store product stand to any number of stranger things. Get a piece of your childhood now! Most hotels are fully refundable. The only thing that I was disappointed in is the fact that the dinosaur are on a section that you have to walk done a steep section and up again therefore my sister and I couldn't go down. But then there is a whole dinosaur park with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the forest. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. When the Fair went out of business, Jack Gillette bought him in April 1982 (along with dozens of other statues) and stood him in the Magic Forest parking lot. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. I have no place to store it, he said. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Climb into a dinosaur nest, dig for hidden fossils, and stand next to what is possibly the world's largest dinosaur ever discovered - the Titanosaurus. 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. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. A good place to spend half a day for kids. Not for family but for the individual. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. No souvenirs though. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. Posted by 3 years ago. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". WebExperience a journey through time. Old, sad, dingy, dirty. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. May 28 - June 26 The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Longtime residents and visitors of Lake George will undoubtedly be sad when they realize the beloved Uncle Sam statue that was such a significant fixture of Magic Forest is gone. 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. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. more, 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. 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. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. 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. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Never ever again will we return. Sometimes I wonder if we really saw Lightning, the last remaining diving horse in the country, take his famous (and some may say inhumane) dive twice the day we visited, or if it was all a mirage. I have no place to store it, he said. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. There is so much potential to this park. 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." Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! 7.1/10 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. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. The majority of the items have now sold and most of the well-known, larger items are gonelike the big animals and Muffler Menbut there are still plenty of items online for those that are interested.. Get a piece of your childhood now! ' Gilette remembers. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. 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." 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 >>. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. WebMagic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448 Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. 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. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! But we bet this up close encounter will come back in someone's nightmares. Uncle Sam is 38 feet tall and formerly stood at the Danbury Fairgrounds in Connecticut. Are you associated with this business? Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? This place is great! Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions live santa only comes out when the weather isn't too hot. 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. 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. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Before Chuck E. Cheese, video games, Six Flags, or Disney World, parks like the Magic Forest used to be the place to take your kids. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. 51. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. I have no place to store it, he said. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. The former Magic Forest amusement park, located at the corner of Route 9 and Bloody Pond Road, has since shed the towering fiberglass giants that once loomed over its parking lot. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. Simple fun and a great day. 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. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. Hours RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. ", Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany, Central Troy Historic District Walking Food Tour, Albany Scavenger Hunt: Empire State Of Mind, 2 Hour Private Forest Immersion Retreat in Woodland Sanctuary, 3 Day Reiki Certification Retreat in Vermont, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB. Or, if I do forget, perhaps my lapse in memory is due to the literal high we got as we were nearly asphyxiated by fumes from the diesel tractor pulling us through the park. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. I hope the owners decide to open it all the way up. Its different, he said. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. 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. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. We have an awkward moment -- not uncommon for us -- when we ask a passing manager why the grimacing, Amishized Alfred E. Neuman holds an ax. For as long as I live, I wont forget how it felt to teeter on the brink of death, slowly ascending on a rickety Ferris wheel that appeared to have been built from the mismatched pieces of a garage sale Erector set. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Many recycled rides from other parks. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. The food was not too expensive. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! 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). We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. He kept my kids entertained the whole show and that is a true magic trick. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Visitors passing through the garish fairyland entrance building are inundated with choices, as paths curve away into clusters of statues, rides and brightly painted cottages. Most of these giants had already stood at a handful of locations before coming here so it is not surprising they are on the move again.. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. Close. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It's perfect. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. There are adult rides and family rides too. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. But we bet this up close encounter will come back in someone's nightmares. Uncle Sam is 38 feet tall and formerly stood at the Danbury Fairgrounds in Connecticut. Water available for sale all throughout. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George You may have heard about a new, dinosaur-themed park coming to Lake George, but do you know whats happened to the iconic Uncle Sam statue? Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. The park was somewhat enjoyable but I would not return because of the use of the animal in this manner, and it ruined our time at the park. The park's famous Santa Claus overlooks the parking lot. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. 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 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. 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. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. They were nice. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. 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. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. "His head is the way we got him. The park is open every day, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June June through Labor Day. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. Pass on this one. But some of the once-over 700 sculptures that once called the park home are just now resurfacing. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Gillette sold the park in 2019, but much of the remnants have remained on the property, now operating as Lake George Expedition Park. Learn more about Roadpass accounts, Video: How to Plan a Stargazing Road Trip, 12 of the Worlds Largest things tower over the small town of Casey, Illinois, A road trip along New York states Womens Heritage Trail. 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. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. Because they are giant, it feels like they will never leave, but the truth is they are well-traveled for as old as they are.
