The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Are you associated with this business? Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. 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. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. So many rides. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. The creepy part is the statues. WebExperience a journey through time. Gillette can be reached at 518-895-8150 to schedule an appointment. Close. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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. ClickSwipe through our gallery for a preview of everything there is to explore when you visit Magic Forest. 10am5pm | Sat & Sun Only
She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. 8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. Undeterred, we assured her that we were willing participants in the charade that the park was still a viable tourist destination. May 28 - June 26
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. 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. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. 3. 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. Kids enjoyed it a lot. Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries 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. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. 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. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. Get a piece of your childhood now! That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. Many recycled rides from other parks. 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. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. 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. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. Its different, he said. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. Enjoy the 20 minute train ride to watch the life-size animal statues with kids. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. 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. 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. It's perfect. We did go early in the season. Most hotels are fully refundable. I hope the utilize this theme in the fall. One account for all of our road travel apps. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Jimmy Brown the magician is fantastic and I love that they have Santa there. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Get a piece of your childhood now! Try My Sights, Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. 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. 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.. Probably nowhere else is the disturbing world of children's' fairy tales brought to life more vividly. 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 use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Again the kids enjoyed itand that is the most important part. 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 good place to spend half a day for kids. In the beginning, I was getting over 30 emails a day, he says. Having trouble using this site? I was impressed by the amount of original International Fiberglass figures there, Baker says. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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 Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. 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. Train ride wasn't running which was disappointing. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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 However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. Cookies are used for measurement, ads, and optimization. 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 >>. 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. 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. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. We missed the magic show but will catch it next time. 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! We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. Unfortunately, for each figure whose origins are known, anothers backstory has been lost over time. 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. Most of the rides are "kiddie rides" and a 10 year old would be bored. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. 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! The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. 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. $$ - $$$ 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. The park is very clean and the employees are patient and friendly. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries 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. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. All of that was fine. Information is subject to change. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. Not the first time for the boys. 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. The theme park reopened in 2019 with a new owner and a new name: Lake George Expedition Park. WebExperience a journey through time. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. 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. For Military (Vets, Active, Retired) 2 dollars off the price of admission. 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. The park is almost completed shaded. Are you associated with this business? 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. I think that you would probably be towed. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. They had visited the Magic Forest for years and always taken their kids photo with that particular bear. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. 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. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass. The Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. 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. It's perfect. The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). A great park. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Ever. "His head is the way we got him. Staff throughout park are great with the kids and very friendly! 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 Copyright 2023 Family Vacation Critic All Rights Reserved. There are also a petting zoo, magic shows, and stunt shows with the last remaining diving horse, Lightning. Posted by 3 years ago. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. He kept my kids entertained the whole show and that is a true magic trick. 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. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. Are you associated with this business? One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. This was very nastalgic for us because the rides here were bought from different parks over the years and brought to this one. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 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. The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. They include paint-chipped animals, old theme park legends, and quite a few broken fae folk. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Our website found buyers who truly have a passion for saving these kinds of things.. 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. 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. There were buttons to push to tell us their stories but the recordings didn't work so they sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. 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. 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. 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. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! 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. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. 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. They first went 3 years ago. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. 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. The rides are very old school, and my kids. WebExperience a journey through time. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 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. Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. A very well run park. 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. But then there is a whole dinosaur park with animatronic dinosaurs throughout the forest. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. 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. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). 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! Each ride had info about when and where it was made, when it was bought and info about the hydraulics. The stable and manger are not in use. I have no place to store it, he said. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. WebStatues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. 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. The admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. Yes, it is small and management is aware it needs work. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. They came from Woodys Fiberglass in Tennessee, Bensons Wild Animal Farm in New Hampshire, a mini-golf course in Ohio, and the Danbury Fair in Connecticut. Contents 1 Magic Forest 2 Dino Roar Valley 3 References 4 External links Magic Forest [ edit] 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. 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. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. Most hotels are fully refundable. Posted by 3 years ago. WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. Close. The other is a Happy Halfwit with an Amish beard and hat, holding an ax just opposite the Little Miss Muffet display. Theyve added Dino valley and are working on updates around magic forest. 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.