WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. "Magic Forest" redirects here. It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. The creepy part is the statues. 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. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. But in fact, hes actually returned home. Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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. 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. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. 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 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 >>. Hours 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! Food is cheap. Simple fun and a great day. 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. All of that was fine. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. 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. Climb into a dinosaur nest, dig for hidden fossils, and stand next to what is possibly the world's largest dinosaur ever discovered - the Titanosaurus. However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. All rights reserved. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. I have no place to store it, he said. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). POTUS landmarks, oddities. Most hotels are fully refundable. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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. The food was not too expensive. The kids thought the place was greatmy husband and I thought it could be better. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 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. The former safari area will see the most changes. The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. You may have heard about a new, dinosaur-themed park coming to Lake George, but do you know whats happened to the iconic Uncle Sam statue? WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 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. Information is subject to change. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. There is so much potential to this park. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. 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. WebExperience a journey through time. 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. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). There's a chapel, too. A great park. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. It's perfect. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. 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. 7.1/10 The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest. We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". One account for all of our road travel apps. He kept my kids entertained the whole show and that is a true magic trick. 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 theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Amazing! enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. 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. No computerized rides here! 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. It's perfect. I have no place to store it, he said. Are you associated with this business? 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. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. May 28 - June 26 Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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! In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. I was buying stuff and bringing it back up here and just putting it in my parking lot, wherever I could, Gillette recounted. The it in questions runs the amusement part gamut, from typical equipment like a heater and a store product stand to any number of stranger things. 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! More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. 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. So many rides. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! 51. 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. 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. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account No souvenirs though. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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. Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. 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. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Get a piece of your childhood now! Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. 51. Pass on this one. WebLake George, New York. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. Are rides being disinfected after each use? 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! WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Will go again when were in the area. 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. Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears? Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? 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." 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. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. WebExperience a journey through time. Loved the nostalgia of this park, the "dated" that everyone seems to be talking about. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. Get a piece of your childhood now! Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George 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. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. 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. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! Ever. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. [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! June 27 - Sept. 5 I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Are you associated with this business? Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? But we bet this up close encounter will come back in someone's nightmares. Uncle Sam is 38 feet tall and formerly stood at the Danbury Fairgrounds in Connecticut. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. 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. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. The people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 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. Enjoy watching the magic show by Jimmy Brown and the diving show by the last diving horse called Lightning. Since 1963, Magic Forest has entertained young park goers and their families, creating memories for all. The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. 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. 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. 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." We put an ax in his hands and made him a woodsman.". Kids enjoyed it a lot. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Rides were available for all ages and the Dino roar exhibits were entertaining as much as they were informative. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! WebLake George, New York. This used to be Santa's Workshop and they've kept parts of it. Old, sad, dingy, dirty. Just perfect for grandparents with two little ones 5 and 6. The Dinosaur park is amazing!! Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. The train ride was quite fun. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 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. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. 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 next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. They were nice. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Was wondering about parking at magic forest theme park (parking is free) and taking the trolley to great escape. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. This was our first time. The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. Get a piece of your childhood now! Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Would have loved to have seen the dinosaurs. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. 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! Are you associated with this business? 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. Definitely recommend for little kids. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. 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. Many recycled rides from other parks. 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.. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. 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. You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. "His head is the way we got him. 7.1/10 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. His father and uncle started a carnival together. But some of the once-over 700 sculptures that once called the park home are just now resurfacing. 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. Close. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. No, I would say age 8 max. 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. Water available for sale all throughout. 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Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! 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. Having trouble using this site? The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. A good place to spend half a day for kids. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. A very well run park. I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut.