71.18% of people who visit Lake George include Magic Forest in their plan, 42.86% of people start their Magic Forest visit around 3 PM - 4 PM, People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Magic Forest, 95% of people prefer to travel by car while visiting Magic Forest. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Magic Forest The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. Not the first time for the boys. Magic Forest (Gone When they heard about the sale they purchased that teddy bear and it meant the world to them, Baker says. Magic Forest 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. We did go early in the season. 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. This is by far the greatest place whether you are old or young. Magic Forest Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. This place is great! Credits, Media/Business Inquiries This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. Magic Forest Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. 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. 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. 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. All four of us had a really awesome day. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Our website found buyers who truly have a passion for saving these kinds of things.. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). I have no place to store it, he said. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. However, that didnt keep father and son from getting together at the Danbury Fair after it had closed, for the grounds to become a mall to rescue hundreds of statues and decorations. 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). Memories of Magic Forest up for auction Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. 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. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. He kept my kids entertained the whole show and that is a true magic trick. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. But in fact, hes actually returned home. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. Magic Forest Park 51. 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. ' Gilette remembers. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. 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 theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. 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. Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. Magic Forest Park 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.. The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. 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. Lake George Expedition Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Ever. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! 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.. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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 park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. Magic Forest We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 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." Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. 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. Having trouble using this site? We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. 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. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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 information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account 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! The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. Items from local theme park empire hit the auction block Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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 people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. A very well run park. POTUS landmarks, oddities. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. 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. 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. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. 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. 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. Magic Forest Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. Are you associated with this business? 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. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! Magic Forest However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. 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. We were there 4 years ago. Hes come to the buyers, too. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. For just $12,000, you can literally be the old lady who lived in a (20-foot-tall) shoeold lady and five fiberglass children included. Memories of Magic Forest up for auction The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. 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. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Are rides being disinfected after each use? Would have loved to have seen the 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. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. Modern amusement parks just cant compete with the thrill we got when we realizedperhaps too latethat our body weight was testing the load-bearing limits of one of five rides said to accommodate adults. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Amazing! 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Yes. 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. 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. Are you associated with this business? Magic Forest 3. The animals were severely underfed. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Fun Park 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. This place is great if you are into any of the following, all others beware: Unsafe broken rides, uneducated senior citizens running rides, creepy overall, sad use and abuse of a horse forced to walk up an inclosure and dive down into a pool multiple times a day, dirty sad animals in cages, safari train ride of ceramic animal heads with choking fumes from extremely slow moving ride, permanent carnival. This place was perfect for my 4 and 6 year old. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. 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.. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. 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. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Magic Forest WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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). Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. Get a piece of your childhood now! Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. 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. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Magic Forest It's perfect. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Magic Forest 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. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries 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. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Lake George Expedition Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. That was a bit disturbing to me. The park is almost completed shaded. There's a chapel, too. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Its different, he said. 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. There were no lines. 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. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Since putting those larger fiberglass statues up for sale in 2019, Gillette says hes been impressed over and over by the kindness and care of the interested buyers hes met along the way. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. It's perfect. Magic Forest No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Posted by 3 years ago. Lake George Expedition Park No souvenirs though. Not for family but for the individual. 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. The creepy part is the statues. Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are 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! May 28 - June 26 tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. The train ride was quite fun. It is now a running joke In our family that as a pumishment we will return to bizzaro world. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. So many rides. Reddit 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. Kids enjoyed it a lot. 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 hope the owners decide to open it all the way up. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. "Magic Forest" redirects here. They were nice. Items from local theme park empire hit the auction block Reddit Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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 Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. 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. 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. LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) Up until just a couple years ago, a drive up Route 9 toward the village of Lake George would take visitors past, among other things, Paul Bunyan and Uncle Sam. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. 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. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Most hotels are fully refundable. His father and uncle started a carnival together. 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! I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! Lake George Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs.
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