POTUS landmarks, oddities. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. 10am5pm | 7 Days a Week It's perfect. Water available for sale all throughout. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Will go again when were in the area. 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. 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. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. In addition to Danbury Fair and Carson City, other items come from places like Lake Georges own Gaslight Village; Charles R. Woods Story Town; as well as amusement parks with names like Animal Land, Hoffmans Play Land and Land of Make Believe. As of this week, over 700 lots from Magic Forest were posted by Schenectady-based Collar City Auction & Realty Management, all put there by the parks former owner, Jack Gilette. 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. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. 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. Hes come to the buyers, too. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. His father and uncle started a carnival together. I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. 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 former safari area will see the most changes. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. All rights reserved. My guess is that you can, but I'd ask at the entrance. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. 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. 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. 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). The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Enjoy the 20 minute train ride to watch the life-size animal statues with kids. 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. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. The park is almost completed shaded. WebLake George, New York. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. 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. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. "His head is the way we got him. 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. Are you associated with this business? Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. 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. I think that you would probably be towed. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. 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. I havent had a bad experience with anything Ive sold.. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. 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. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 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. The food was not too expensive. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. Pass on this one. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. This is by far the greatest place whether you are old or young. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. 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. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. The train ride was quite fun. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. Its a good mix of things to do. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Food is cheap. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! They first went 3 years ago. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Just perfect for grandparents with two little ones 5 and 6. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest. Not the first time for the boys. As a separate park, it featured the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world (as of May 9, 2019, the statue has since moved back home to Danbury, CT), a magic show, and cottages and attractions which tell the story of the Three Little Pigs, Jack Sprat, Hansel and Gretel, various princesses, Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, the Statue of Liberty, and the Spider Man. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. 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. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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! 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. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! 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." 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. I was especially concerned about "Lightening" the diving horse. Get a piece of your childhood now! Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. Hours 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. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. 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. 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. No computerized rides here! The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. 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. 51. Yes. 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. 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. 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. We missed the magic show but will catch it next time. I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. 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. Loved the nostalgia of this park, the "dated" that everyone seems to be talking about. The worlds largest Uncle Sam statue greets you in the parking lot. Most of them sit at a starting price of $25. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. 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. 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. Hours and dates subject to change. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. when we went santa wasn't there and hadn't been for days. Santa had been on the Atkins diet and looked as healthy as the animals. Close. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. 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.. All rights reserved. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. One account for all of our road travel apps. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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! Totally wrong about Magic Forest. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. 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 park is open every day, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June June through Labor Day. Never ever again will we return. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. Lake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 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. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Get a piece of your childhood now! The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. That was a bit disturbing to me. The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. Anyone know if I will be towed for parking there after hours? Its also shady as it is indeed in a forest. 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. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. No masks were required even for the kids as it's all outside. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. 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. 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. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. I was buying stuff and bringing it back up here and just putting it in my parking lot, wherever I could, Gillette recounted. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. After Ellsworth decided to take the park in a different direction, Gillette contacted Joel Baker, owner of the Muffler Man restoration company American Giants, to help facilitate the sale of all of those fiberglass figures. No souvenirs though. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. 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 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! 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. June 27 - Sept. 5 The stable and manger are not in use. May 28 - June 26 WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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