In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. They include paint-chipped animals, old theme park legends, and quite a few broken fae folk. 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. 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. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. 3. Magic Forest I even went as far as Kansas this summer, and everybody I have met has been nice, friendly and very appreciative. 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 Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. Putting prices on the items and getting them ready to go was a bit bittersweet for Gillette, but overall he says he would rather see the statues and decor go to people who can continue to get some enjoyment and use out of them. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 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. Not the first time for the boys. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George Items from local theme park empire hit the auction block 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. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. Magic Forest (Gone 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. 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. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Lake George [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. Or, if I do forget, perhaps my lapse in memory is due to the literal high we got as we were nearly asphyxiated by fumes from the diesel tractor pulling us through the park. Lake George Expedition Park The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. Reddit 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. Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. Memories of Magic Forest up for auction 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. 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. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. WebExperience a journey through time. 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. 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. Loved the nostalgia of this park, the "dated" that everyone seems to be talking about. Magic Forest But in fact, hes actually returned home. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. Plenty of parking. Magic Forest 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 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. 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. Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. Lake George Expedition She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. Almost all of the quirky attractions of Magic Forest described below -- including the diving horse, the gigantic Uncle Sam, and the Muffler Men -- have been removed. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. The former safari area will see the most changes. This is a must see. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. It still happens, but I feel that awareness is growing about the importance of saving and restoring these piecesI like to think that today it is more about relocating Americana rather than disappearing Americana.. 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. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. 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. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Gillette sold the park in 2019, but much of the remnants have remained on the property, now operating as Lake George Expedition Park. Most hotels are fully refundable. Rides were available for all ages and the Dino roar exhibits were entertaining as much as they were informative. The Gillettes bought so many items from the Danbury grounds, in fact, that at one point they were cut off. Magic Forest Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Never ever again will we return. It depends, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession, Crossgates Mall opening at noon due to weather, Snow begins falling in Capital Region during latest, 03/03/2023: Significant winter storm tonight, Downtown Kansas City bar calls out Jackson Mahomes, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Its fiberglass figures had long ago dug in their collective heelsand hoovesas the world evolved around them. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. Its a good mix of things to do. No computerized rides here! Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 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. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. WebExperience a journey through time. Magic Forest (Gone More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. 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. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. As Gillette tells it, Wood the creator of StoryTown USA, the former theme park where The Great Escape now stands was protesting the sale of any items from the sale prior to a proper auction. 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? The park is very clean and the employees are patient and friendly. 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. 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. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. 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. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? 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). Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. 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. 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. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Items from local theme park empire hit the auction block Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. I hope the owners decide to open it all the way up. We did go early in the season. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. 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. 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. Are rides being disinfected after each use? $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account My husband told me he was creeped out & felt like the statues were following is with their eyes. 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 >>. Magic Forest Park On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! 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." Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? This place is great! Get a piece of your childhood now! Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! No souvenirs though. 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." Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. For what he does for them, that poor guy is not taken care of very well in return (matted mane, hooves not properly trimmed, SMALL paddock that he is just put back into after his dive, soken wet), and he doesn't seem to enjoy what he's made to do. We were there 4 years ago. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook! Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. "His head is the way we got him. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. One account for all of our road travel apps. 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. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Close. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Pass on this one. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). You just dont get that opportunity every day, says Baker. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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. Magic Forest UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. 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. 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. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. 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. 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. 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. 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. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. Magic Forest Enjoy the 20 minute train ride to watch the life-size animal statues with kids. POTUS landmarks, oddities. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. That was a bit disturbing to me. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres. Magic Forest We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". ' Gilette remembers. Are you associated with this business? All four of us had a really awesome day. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Definitely recommend for little kids. 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. Water available for sale all throughout. It was clean, very clean. Totally wrong about 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. WebLake George, New York. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? There are adult rides and family rides too. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. Magic Forest 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. Are you associated with this business? The animals were severely underfed. 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). Magic Forest I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. Magic Forest And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. There's a chapel, too. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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.

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