The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Loved the nostalgia of this park, the "dated" that everyone seems to be talking about. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. They were nice. Enjoy watching the magic show by Jimmy Brown and the diving show by the last diving horse called Lightning. Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 7.1/10 Having trouble using this site? Hours 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. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. Many recycled rides from other parks. Simple fun and a great day. We missed the magic show but will catch it next time. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. I have no place to store it, he said. Officials ended up tipping Uncle Sam onto a 40-foot flatbed truck, and had to remove one of his hands to avoid it getting torn off by a bridge along the route. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. It still happens, but I feel that awareness is growing about the importance of saving and restoring these piecesI like to think that today it is more about relocating Americana rather than disappearing Americana.. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. Kids enjoyed it a lot. Its different, he said. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. A great park. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Are you associated with this business? The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. 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. I have no place to store it, he said. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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 Get a piece of your childhood now! 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! All of that was fine. Maybe what we actually saw was the ghost of Rex, the parks original equine entertainer and Lightnings fatheror perhaps it was all an elaborate magic trick performed by the resident magician, Jimmy Brown (who also doubledor rather, tripledas the parks lone emcee and balloon animal artist). The Dinosaur park is amazing!! when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. This place is great! 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. 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. 3. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Id gladly trade a few more brain cells to take that so-called safari ride again and spend a few more precious moments with the mangy menagerie of animals scattered throughout the woods. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. The food was not too expensive. 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. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. 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. 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. This place was perfect for my 4 and 6 year old. Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. 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. In addition to Danbury Fair and Carson City, other items come from places like Lake Georges own Gaslight Village; Charles R. Woods Story Town; as well as amusement parks with names like Animal Land, Hoffmans Play Land and Land of Make Believe. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? Get a piece of your childhood now! One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. Just perfect for grandparents with two little ones 5 and 6. The rides are very old school, and my kids. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. 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. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. 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 The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. This is a must see. Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. WebLake George, New York. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. This was our first time. His father and uncle started a carnival together. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. 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. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. But the future doesnt have to be dark for analog attractions like the Magic Forest: I feel like disappearing Americana is not as much a problem as it was just 10 years ago, Baker says. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. 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." I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Jimmy Brown's magic show was great. 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. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Most hotels are fully refundable. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. Definitely recommend for little kids. WebExperience a journey through time. Are you associated with this business? You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. 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! Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. WebLake George, New York. 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. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. 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. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only
Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week
tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. [2], The other part of the park is Dino Roar Valley, which opened in 2019 and featuring animatronic dinosaurs.[3]. 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. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. It depends, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession, Crossgates Mall opening at noon due to weather, Snow begins falling in Capital Region during latest, 03/03/2023: Significant winter storm tonight, Downtown Kansas City bar calls out Jackson Mahomes, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Putting prices on the items and getting them ready to go was a bit bittersweet for Gillette, but overall he says he would rather see the statues and decor go to people who can continue to get some enjoyment and use out of them. Never ever again will we return. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! 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. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). 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. They include paint-chipped animals, old theme park legends, and quite a few broken fae folk. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. No computerized rides here! But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. After 2 hours our son asked if we could leave & never come back. 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. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account 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. POTUS landmarks, oddities. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. There was this crazy little tiny squirrel that was literally the smallest figure I listed and everyone wanted that thing, he says. Most hotels are fully refundable. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Although they eventually paid the ultimate price, maybe the lesson is that we should celebrate the parks existence and persistenceand not ignore the consequences of resolutely resisting change. All four of us had a really awesome day. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. Read on to find out the details. 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. A very well run park. Pass on this one. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. No souvenirs though. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Get a piece of your childhood now! Close. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. Ronald McDonald Vacation Home Coming to Lake George, Check Out Weekend Events With Barrel Fest & More in Lake George, Dont Miss Your Last Chance for Winter Carnival & Ice Bar Fun in Lake George, Winter Carnivals, Fireworks & Fun: See Whats Happening in Lake George This Weekend, Get Into a Valentines Day Mood in Lake George This Weekend, Bundle Up for All the Frozen Fun Going On Around Lake George This Weekend. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. Are you associated with this business? I was buying stuff and bringing it back up here and just putting it in my parking lot, wherever I could, Gillette recounted. 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.