Lake George, Where Muffler Men Lurk

Lake George, New York

A few hours north of Manhattan, the touristy town of Lake George -- though lacking density for world-class Mecca status -- offers more than its share of roadside distractions. There is miniature golf on every corner -- including America's Oldest Miniature Golf Course. The House of Frankenstein, Alien Encounter, and other main drag thrills draw crowds all summer long.

Some of our favorite Lake George enticements have been the independent theme parks south of town -- the wonderful but long gone Animaland, and the resilient Magic Forest. Dazzled by the crazy animal antics at Animaland on our first trip in the 1980s, we suffered some observational short circuit by the time we arrived up the road at the Magic Forest. We noted the giant Uncle Sam in the parking lot, and reported on the diving horse. But somehow, we missed all the Muffler Men lurking in the forest.

So we returned to properly document the giants that have been reported on the Muffler Man sightings pages. Magic Forest managers told us they'd been here for a very long time. The Paul Bunyan is visible near the entrance. The others are spread along the winding paths between fairy tale dioramas.

• The Woodsman
• The Half Wit
• Pecos Bill
• The Clown

That's four Muffler Men, all within shouting distance of each other. But hold on -- Magic Forest hasn't cornered the entire local Muffler Man supply.

Another Paul Bunyan stands at Around The World Golf, a miniature golf attraction along the southern shore of Lake George.

He's in better shape than the battered Swiss Trail Muffler Man some miles west of town in Lake Vanare -- apparently outside the invisible bubble that protects the Muffler Men of Lake George.

Also see: Magic Forest | Muffler Men Home Page