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Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. May 28 - June 26 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. 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. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. June 27 - Sept. 5 Get a piece of your childhood now! Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful 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. ", 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. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. 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. I have no place to store it, he said. 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. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Not for family but for the individual. There is so much potential to this park. 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. 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. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. Close. Our website found buyers who truly have a passion for saving these kinds of things.. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Amazing! Credits, Media/Business Inquiries Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. 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. 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. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! Magic Forest (Lake George) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near House of Frankenstein Wax Museum, Hotels near SUNY Adirondack Community College Queensbury, NY, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Lake George, Game & Entertainment Centers in Lake George, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Lake George, Maui Nui Luau at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, St Maarten Sailing and Snorkeling to St Barts, Bryce Canyon National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour, Paris Tootbus Discovery Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Adirondack Cottage, Escape, Relax, and Enjoy, View all hotels near Magic Forest on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Magic Forest on Tripadvisor. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. WebLake George, New York. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. 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. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Having trouble using this site? Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? 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. This is a must see. No souvenirs though. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Fairies were missing fingers, buttons used to activate animatronics were broken, and, when I put a quarter into a prize machine, I received nothing in return. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the 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. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. We were there 4 years ago. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! 3. People normally club together Water Slide World and Lumberjack Pass Miniature Golf while planning their visit to Magic Forest. It is now a running joke In our family that as a pumishment we will return to bizzaro world. 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. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. 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. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. 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. 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. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. 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 Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. Get a piece of your childhood now! 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. 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. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. 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. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. Enjoy the 20 minute train ride to watch the life-size animal statues with kids. 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. He says to me, Do you know Charlie Woods? 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). 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. 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. 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. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. 3. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. 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. 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 animals were severely underfed. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! 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? Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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 Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. live santa only comes out when the weather isn't too hot. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Ruben Ellsworth, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, purchased the Magic Forest amusement park from the Gillette family, who has operated the park for nearly 60 years. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. All four of us had a really awesome day. 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. 3. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. POTUS landmarks, oddities. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Mixed among the dioramas are giant statues of American icons, several of them reworked Muffler Men: Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Smokey Bear, the Statue of Liberty, a big Indian, a couple of space-walking astronauts. 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. 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. 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! 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The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. But in fact, hes actually returned home. The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. Ever. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Its different, he said. WebLake George, New York. Would have loved to have seen the dinosaurs. 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. A great park. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. 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. 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 This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. 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). Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. 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. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. The Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions 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. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. 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.