8.6 Fabulous 813 reviews Price from 102 per night Check availability Best Western of Lake George We missed the magic show but will catch it next time. It's perfect. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. Restoration specialists will be working to spruce him up from the wear and tear hes endured over the years. A good place to spend half a day for kids. And I said, Charles Wood, and he says, okay.'. WebYour visit to the park will be a walking tour; for our visitors with mobility difficulties, we will provide alternative means. The Magic Forest, a storybook amusement park located in Lake George, New York, looked abandoned for years before it officially closed. I thought it was really just time to get it out of their way, Gilette said in a phone interview on Thursday. 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. The information in this post is a record of the parks previous incarnation. Posted by 3 years ago. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries So many rides. The park is open every day, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from late June June through Labor Day. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Sometimes, Baker would get ten emails expressing interest in a single item before he could even list it as sold. There is so much potential to this park. This place is great! 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! Receive emails and newsletters to keep in touch with I LOVE NY. 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. But its hard not to become despondent and dig in your heels when it feels as if the world you love is rapidly disappearing. The full, 700+ lot posting will stay online until the end of September. Is the park recommend for children 7-10 years old? 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. 3. Information is subject to change. 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. The former safari area will see the most changes. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. We left & renamed it "bizzaro world". All rights reserved. No souvenirs though. All rights reserved. $$ - $$$ 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. $$ Photos See all photos Connect with Magic Forest on Facebook Log In or Create new account Enjoy watching the magic show by Jimmy Brown and the diving show by the last diving horse called Lightning. 7.1/10 The magic finally ran out last year when longtime owner Jack Gillette sold the park to a local contractor, Ruben Ellsworth. The rides are very old school, and my kids. Alexandra is the features editor at Roadtrippers Magazine. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! 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. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. 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. 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? The Dinosaur park is amazing!! Went there with 3 toddlers and spent almost 4 hours. Rex the Diving Horse leaped on cue into a pool for many years; now his son, Lightning, takes the plunge twice a day. Embark on a ride that will take you sky high or take the scenic route through the forest on our park train. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Anyone who wants to be one of Gillettes next buyers has a month to do it. My son had nightmares for a few days after that. The it in questions runs the amusement part gamut, from typical equipment like a heater and a store product stand to any number of stranger things. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Its a miracle that the Magic Forest, which opened in 1963, outlived its expiration date by several yearsmaybe even decadesbut nothing lasts forever. Most hotels are fully refundable. In fact, we were in love with the idea that we could actually achieve time-travel for less than $30 per person. Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here. 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. All stuff geared towards Christmas which also explains the Christmas songs played in the mix of music. 51. WebLake George, New York. He says that all of the figures lived diverseand sometimes manypast lives before they came to the Magic Forest. Enjoy the Snowy Weekend in the Lake George Area! 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. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. The use of the diving horse is not nor should it be an attraction for children or adults. 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. Former Magic Forest decorations have also made their way to California, Oregon and Texas. Old, sad, dingy, dirty. We strive to insure accuracy on Lakegeorge.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Like most relics of another time, however, these low-tech parksif they still exist at allare becoming harder to find. There's a chapel, too. 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. This is a must see. Is there a picnic area and can you bring a cooler? No computerized rides here! 51. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. We are hoping to go back again We got there around 2 and stayed until close. No, I would say age 8 max. more, 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. 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. Model characters from fairy tales with the audio interpretation are a great initiative. More, National Cryptologic Museum, Annapolis Junction, Maryland (Feb 27-Mar 5, 2023). 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. Get a piece of your childhood now! For just $12,000, you can literally be the old lady who lived in a (20-foot-tall) shoeold lady and five fiberglass children included. I didnt want to go to six flags or another big park that would take the entire day waiting in lines. Simple fun and a great day. 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. this was our first year visiting but well be back for sure next year! 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. The day we were there, a summer camp group was there and they had their own food item stored in coolers. More, Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. WebExperience a journey through time. 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. Most fairy tale theme parks eventually suffer the fate of a fabled cursed kingdom. 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. The animals were severely underfed. The park is expected to be open May through October, with tickets going on sale in March. Are rides being disinfected after each use? 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. Where else can you see Esso tigers and Sinclair Dinosaurs peacefully coexisting with pink flamingos and polar bears? WebExperience a journey through time. In the 1950s, his uncle took that carnival to the Danbury Fair, where it played through the fairs final years. 51. WebLake George, New York. It means nothing to most people; but for people who went to the fair and loved it, its worth its value to them.. 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. At Dino Roar Valley, find adventure, make discoveries, and be transported to other places through hands-on experiences. Two Muffler Men are particularly disturbing. Is there a live Santa the kids can visit with? Our son loved it and so did we, will definitely be back! 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. Take time to enjoy the rides - the merry-go-round, you-drive car track, sail in the boats, and others. Three of the four fiberglass giants were purchased by Atlantis Plumbing in Dallas, Georgia. Also cant beat the setting, they are carefully dispersed through a beautiful forest. 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. The next button will take you to Roadpass to create a free Roadpass account and finish the process. The rides were antique pieces that were fascinating to me because it was like an amusement park museum. We are grandparents of 5 yo and 9 yo boys and went with them and their parents to the park. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Gillettes over 700 nostalgic lots are all up for the bidding now, and can be seen in-person by appointment. A great park. WebLake George, New York. 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. This park is a cute stop and great for small kids without the meltdowns that come with large parks when theyre beyond exhausted. The magic show by Jimmy Brown was incredible, full of laughs, both of my girls got to go on stage and participate. Still gives me creeps every night to look back on it. 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. 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. We did go early in the season. The Magic Forest was originally opened in 1963 by Arthur Gillette. One family contacted him about a fiberglass teddy bear. In fact, kids seem oblivious to the creepiness of this place, and so do the adults, for that matter. Dino Roar Valley is so fun its prehistoric! Baker first visited the park in 2012 while he was researching Muffler Men (the park had four). enchanted forest water safari where the fun never stops is up in old forge, this place was near Lake George. 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. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. But some of the once-over 700 sculptures that once called the park home are just now resurfacing. WebExperience a journey through time. 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. 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! [1] Magic Forest also has a small petting zoo where children can feed the animals. Keep exploring with the Roadtrippers mobile apps. The fella Im buying stuff from says, We gotta leave some stuff for the auction.'. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New York. 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. Will go again when were in the area. Amazing! 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. Transferring the giant statue from Lake George to Danbury, roughly a three hour ride, was reportedly difficult. Also guarding the minivans and SUVs is a large Santa Claus, reportedly the most popular statue on the property. 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 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. There were no lines. 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.