Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? WebExperience a journey through time. 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. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions 51. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass. 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. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. The Magic Forest felt like it was from a different time not only physically, but spiritually. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. Today, many roar obliviously north on the interstate, but enough families exit to keep MF hopping, under the management of Arthur's successor, Jack Gillette, since 1988. 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. He comes to me and says, Now, what more do you want? And so Charlie Woods attitude helped me buy more stuff.. Many lots share a common origin: the now long-defunct Danbury Fair in Danbury, Connecticut. Magic Forest The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. Lake George Expedition WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. But in fact, hes actually returned home. No, I would say age 8 max. Magic Forest Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. All rights reserved. The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. Memories of Magic Forest up for auction The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Magic Forest The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. 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. 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. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. All the classic cautionary tales are here, displayed in miniature within wooden shelters, or lurking in the woods along serpentine trails. Hes believed to be the largest Uncle Sam statue in the world. Are you associated with this business? Reddit 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Address: 1912 U.S. 9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA, United States, Magic Forest Contact Number: +1-5186682448. POTUS landmarks, oddities. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. 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). One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! Returning the statue to its original home was part of the deal. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. 3. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Information 1912 US Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-7627 Memorial Day - October Visit Website Posted in Family Fun, Group Attractions Totally wrong about Magic Forest. 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. The park is almost completed shaded. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. No souvenirs though. It's perfect. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Old, sad, dingy, dirty. 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. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. Magic Forest (Gone UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Exhibits like Cinderellas Castle and Santas House as well as the snack bar and the gift shop are also great. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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. 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 have an awkward moment -- not uncommon for us -- when we ask a passing manager why the grimacing, Amishized Alfred E. Neuman holds an ax. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. 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 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. 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. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. For as long as I live, I wont forget how it felt to teeter on the brink of death, slowly ascending on a rickety Ferris wheel that appeared to have been built from the mismatched pieces of a garage sale Erector set. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only The animals were severely underfed. A bean pole droops, a gingerbread house caves in, a Humpty Dumpty falls one last time. There are adult rides and family rides too. I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. WebLake George, New York. 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. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Lake George Expedition Park - Magic Forest WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. 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. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. 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. So many rides. Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Longtime residents and visitors of Lake George will undoubtedly be sad when they realize the beloved Uncle Sam statue that was such a significant fixture of Magic Forest is gone. We took our almost 3 year old and she loved it. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead! Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. Lake George Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. Pass on this one. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. 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. 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. The new park will transport viewers to prehistoric times with animatronic dinosaurs, a Dino-Roar Valley, and more. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. 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. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 3. 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. Memories of Magic Forest up for auction Close. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. 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. Magic Forest Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Yes. Magic Forest The Muffler Mena Paul Bunyan, a Mortimer Snerd, a clown, and Pecos Billwere among the first items to sell. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. Magic Forest More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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. 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. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. I have no place to store it, he said. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. A great park. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. 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." There is so much potential to this park. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? Santa is actually there in an air conditioned log house. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! The rides are very old school, and my kids. Lake George Expedition Park In the beginning, I was getting over 30 emails a day, he says. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". $$ - $$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Diner Vegetarian Friendly, $ American Cafe Vegetarian Friendly, Points of Interest & Landmarks Civic Centres.