Lake George Expedition Park The pace has slowed, but each week he continues to get inquiries. 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? Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. It opened in 2019, and incorporates the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, along with a new attraction entitled Dino Roar Valley. 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. 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. 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. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Close. 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. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. Are you associated with this business? Jimmy Brown's magic show was great. Ellsworth plans to reopen the space as Lake George Expedition Park with all-new attractions, including dinosaurs. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. I have no place to store it, he said. We got to do and see everything, a few things more than once. We could see things in the woods by they are roped off. The former safari area will see the most changes. Called and wrote many letters to various places asking to end the poor horses use as a diving attraction. 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 have no place to store it, he said. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. So many rides. The stable and manger are not in use. But in fact, hes actually returned home. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. 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. She likes things that are bigger or smaller than they should be: novelty architecture, miniature worlds, and anything made from fiberglass or neon. Gilette was something of a collector, amassing his estimated over 700 items over decades while running Magic Forest, which first opened in 1963. For Military (Vets, Active, Retired) 2 dollars off the price of admission. June 27 - Sept. 5 Are you associated with this business? Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. 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. Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round! 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. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Jimmys magic show was the highlight of our visit. 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. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. We did go early in the season. 7.1/10 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 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. Definitely recommend for little kids. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. There is a area with several picnic table just outside a small snack bar. Get a piece of your childhood now! "Magic Forest" redirects here. They first went 3 years ago. Love that it is geared for younger kids and that all of the vintage rides have a brief history displayed. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. 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. 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. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission. 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 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. 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. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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 admission cost is super reasonable and their snack bar has normal food prices. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. All rights reserved. Gillette sold Magic Forest in Lake George in 2019 and retired. Follow, like and subscribe to LakeGeorge.com on social media. Never ever again will we return. Muffler Men and fiberglass figures are notorious for moving around the country. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. Statues from Magic Forest in Lake George are up for sale. Most hotels are fully refundable. And how the Magic Forest park will be incorporated into this new park? Most hotels are fully refundable. No computerized rides here! 51. WebLake George, New York. The park collected hundreds of fiberglass figures through the years, sourced from the Danbury Fair, mini-golf courses, and other amusement parks. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. UPDATE 06/2019: The Magic Forest has been taken over by new owners and is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park. 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. 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. [2], The other part of the park is Dino Roar Valley, which opened in 2019 and featuring animatronic dinosaurs.[3]. The worlds largest Uncle Sam statue greets you in the parking lot. The Magic Forest was a theme park that remained untouched by timeand when we visited, almost nothing about it made sense anymore. The best animatronic dinosaurs Ive ever seen, better than the Bronx zoo and several other parks weve been too. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Reddit 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. 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. Love the nostalgia of Magic Forest and really like the new Dino Roar Valley addition. 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! 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. It was clean, very clean. She doesn't understand our concern, and is probably wondering why grown men traveling without children are in her park in the first place. 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. Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. He kept my kids entertained the whole show and that is a true magic trick. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Magic Forest She dreams of visiting every state in the U.S. and will always stop for a Muffler Man. Old, sad, dingy, dirty. 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. Tall tales, trip guides, and the weird and wonderful. We were there 4 years ago. Gillettes own connection to the Danbury Fair comes from a family background in show business. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. The creepy part is the statues. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Rides are fun and seeing Santa was really great! RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. 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. Memories of Magic Forest up for auction WebLake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. 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. 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. He cataloged the items, helped set prices, and listed them on his website. There's a chapel, too. enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. Staff is great rides are safe & fun for any child or adult. Uncle Sam is Out & Dinosaurs are There were no lines. Lake George Expedition Park - Magic Forest Magic Forest (Gone Not for family but for the individual. Lake George Magic Forest is one, aided by a combination of prime location and classic clean kid fun. WebCompare 721 hotels close to Magic Forest Park with room rates, reviews, and availability. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. 3. Its a great park to bring the kids without the stress of a typical amusement park (parents, youll understand what I mean). Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. 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. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. A good place to spend half a day for kids. Magic Forest We are located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! WebLake George, New York. 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. 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. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. Hours and dates subject to change. We spot their blistered, sagging entry gates on lonely back roads, or squeezed between the Amusements of the Month in some overdeveloped Mecca. Totally wrong about Magic Forest. Located on the seasonal Greater Glens Falls Transit Trolley route. 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! Magic Forest is the park of your childhood dreams! 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. 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 >>. 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. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this 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. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. The rides are very old school, and my kids. The dark, woodsy allure of classic fairy tales is part of Magic Forest's charm. 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. 7.1/10 Lake George Expedition Park is an amusement park located in Lake George, NY along Route 9. They were nice. Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). This place was perfect for my 4 and 6 year old. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. Learn more about Roadpass accounts here. 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. There is so much potential to this 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. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries 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. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. 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 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. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. ", Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany, Central Troy Historic District Walking Food Tour, Albany Scavenger Hunt: Empire State Of Mind, 2 Hour Private Forest Immersion Retreat in Woodland Sanctuary, 3 Day Reiki Certification Retreat in Vermont, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB. Baker is surprisingly sanguine as he watches the collection split up and scatter around the country. Magic Forest By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Magic Forest 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. 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. The sale began last November, and Baker was shocked with the level of interest. He says to me, Do you know Charlie Woods? 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. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. The Spider Man is a creepy top-hatted arachnid, maybe not so scary in a world of chest-bursting aliens and zombies. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account No, I would say age 8 max. Lake George Expedition Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). 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). Luckily, anyone with the money and means to drive to Lake George can still own a piece of history. 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. tourist attractions and odd sights in New York, World's Highest and Longest Pedestrian Bridge. Magic Forest probably has the longest running permanent "Diving Horse" show since Atlantic City's Steel Pier burned down. Both are protected with Clear Coat, as are all the statues in the Magic Forest. People normally club together Water Slide World and Lumberjack Pass Miniature Golf while planning their visit to Magic Forest. It's perfect. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. One, a giant clown, has to be the most remodeled MM in the world. Magic Forest The park had its first season under new name and ownership in 2021, and that was what pushed Gilette to finally get it done. 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. Magic Forest WebExperience a journey through time. Amazing! Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Magic Forest also has sheep, pygmy goats and country goats at the farm, whom the kids will love to adore and feed. I was there last week nothing was unsafe it is one of the best children's parks around. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Magic Forest (Gone 3. Its a good mix of things to do. The people who worked there were either teenagers from Europe or seniors. Magic Forest Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram. There are adult rides and family rides too. It was an amazing collection of original piecesthe largest I knew to exist.. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. However, not long after, Gillette got another chance; all thanks, unknowingly, to another local entertainer, whose name lives on in nearby Glens Falls. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Magic Forest 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. Park is small enough to walk and not get too tired out. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. 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. Actually, that helps to explain a lot about this place. 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. He was tasked with finding buyers for all of the pieces in the Magic Forests diverse collection. Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements. Along the shaded trails, attractions feature fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel and Paul Bunyan. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Magic Forest Get a piece of your childhood now! The 38-foot-tall Uncle Sam has been returned to its original location in Danbury, Connecticut. 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. May 28 - June 26 We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. Information is subject to change. It wasn't the least bit crowded and they would run the rides for just our two granddaughters. That means the array of memories up for auction come from a variety of other fairs, carnivals and fun lands. We have a couple of similar parks here in NH that are WAY ahead of Magic Forest. Prices range from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands. WebExperience a journey through time. 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. Reddit This is a must see. His father and uncle started a carnival together. 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. Get in Touch Things to Know Before Visiting Magic Forest How popular is Magic Forest? I made, I dont know, about 20 or 30 trips, sometimes with a tractor-trailer. 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! Fun for the kids and nostalgic for us babyboomers! 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.
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