The mega-sized amusement parks that feature giant roller coasters and thrill rides can be overwhelming for small children and exhausting for parents. Magic Forest in Lake George, New York is a theme park designed for children ages 10 and younger that provides an alternative for families.
The 1960s-era park carries the fairly land theme throughout its pine-shaded pathways with vibrantly colored character statues and dioramas complete with audio recordings of the depicted tales and nursery rhymes. The kiddie rides are arranged in clusters with benches nearby, eliminating a trudge between rides. A few larger rides, including a Ferris wheel and umbrella ride, can accommodate adults. Visitors may tour the park from the open cars of the Magic Forest train as it winds its way through the forest.
An animated Snow White exhibit, created by Disney for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, calls to mind a time when department stores filled their street front windows with elaborate scenes at Christmas – and Christmas is present at Magic Forest with several Santas and a Christmas diorama barn.
Children are called on stage to participate in the twice-daily magic show; another show, a slightly off-beat one, is the diving horse. Lightening, son of Rex the original diving horse, leaps from scaffolding into a pool of water. In the past, animal rights activists have protested the act but the park claims that horses in the wild do indeed dive. Magic Forest has devoted a page of their website to this controversy.
The snack bar serves burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, french fries and drinks. A meal costs under $7. The park also sells ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn. A shaded picnic area next to the snack bar overlooks Prospect Mountain. Coolers are allowed.
Magic Forest is open on weekends beginning Memorial Day weekend and open daily the end of June through Labor Day. Hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission price is about a quarter of that charged by larger amusement parks and parking is free.
The park is located on Route 9 one and a half miles south of Lake George Village – just look for the 35 foot Uncle Sam in the parking lot.