Kids enjoyed it a lot. Gillette sold the park in 2019, but much of the remnants have remained on the property, now operating as Lake George Expedition Park. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". WebLake George, New York. We did go early in the season. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. One account for all of our road travel apps. But some of the once-over 700 sculptures that once called the park home are just now resurfacing. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. 51. 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. 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." tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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 >>. 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. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 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. 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. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. The park is very clean and the employees are patient and friendly. 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 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. I was buying stuff and bringing it back up here and just putting it in my parking lot, wherever I could, Gillette recounted. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. 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. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. When they heard about the sale they purchased that teddy bear and it meant the world to them, Baker says. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. No computerized rides here! The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George 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. Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. It is now a running joke In our family that as a pumishment we will return to bizzaro world. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Its also shady as it is indeed in a forest. 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. The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week All four of us had a really awesome day. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. 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. 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. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? 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. 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. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. 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. Get a piece of your childhood now! 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). May 28 - June 26 Hes come to the buyers, too. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. 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. This is by far the greatest place whether you are old or young. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. 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 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. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George The kids thought the place was greatmy husband and I thought it could be better. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. 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. This place is great! WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Sign up for our newsletter & stay up to date. Many recycled rides from other parks. 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. The train ride was quite fun. 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. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. We got to do and see everything, a few things more than once. 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. Posted by 3 years ago. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. WebLake George, New York. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. June 27 - Sept. 5 The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. 51. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. 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, Having worked with these giants for almost 10 years now, I know that nothing ever stays the same, he says. The women at the snack bar were putting together a puzzle in between filling orders, and when we found that the gift shop had closed before the park did, they allowed us to come back the next day (for free) to shop for souvenirs. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Its a good mix of things to do. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. Most hotels are fully refundable. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. All rights reserved. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. 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. I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. 3. 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. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. Information is subject to change. It's perfect. Is this worth it for a 2 year old? This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. 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. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. POTUS landmarks, oddities. 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. "His head is the way we got him. 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. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. 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. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. 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! Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. 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. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! 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. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. 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. 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. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. "His head is the way we got him. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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. There is so much potential to this park. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. 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. Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! Food is cheap. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. I have no place to store it, he said. Jimmy Brown's magic show was great. Lake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 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. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. 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. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? Amazing! Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Close. Posted by 3 years ago. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. 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! Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. With magically delicious food and shows so good you wont believe your eyes, one trip to the Magic Forest will have you checking for vacancies in the Old Womans shoe. No souvenirs though. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. Most hotels are fully refundable. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. It was clean, very clean. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. When Gillette came back down to Danbury, intending to pick up the last of what he had already paid for, he caught the seller while he was still in a bad mood from that conversation. 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. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? There are also a petting zoo, magic shows, and stunt shows with the last remaining diving horse, Lightning. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. 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 By that point, Gillettes father had broken off from the fair to found Carson City, an amusement park in the Catskills themed around the American wild west, and which also has relics in the auction lot. The creepy part is the statues. Would have loved to have seen the dinosaurs. 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 Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Having trouble using this site? I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. 7.1/10 If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. 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. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. Get a piece of your childhood now! 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. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. 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. Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. "Magic Forest" redirects here. However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. 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. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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