North Pole, New York: Santa's Workshop
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- 324 Whiteface Memorial Hwy., North Pole, NY
- Directions:
- From Albany take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) north to exit 30, turn left on route 73 into the town of Keene; at the Elm Tree Inn bear right on 9N to Jay; turn left on Rte 86 into the town of Wilmington. From Plattsburgh and Montreal take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) South to exit 34; turn left on Rte 9N south to Jay; turn right on Rte 86 to Wilmington. Follow the signs to Whiteface Memorial Highway.
- Hours:
- 2020: Covid-19 closed until further notice. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 518-946-2211
- Admission:
- $15.95 children/$17.95 adults.
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
Results 1 to 4 of 4...
The world's first theme park still celebrates Christmas all summer. Holiday-themed kiddie rides, costumed characters, and a perpetually frozen Pole.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...Visitor Tips and News About Santa's Workshop
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
We visited in July 2007, 25 years after my husband's first trip to see Santa. Five children, ages 2-13 were amazed by this theme park. Even my oldest left thinking Santa was real!
We arrived early, just as they were opening, and saw the live shows, rode every ride, looked at every animal, and could have spent many more hours enjoying the mystical feeling of Santa's Village.
[luvducks05, 07/05/2008]
Santa's Workshop has been the beneficiary of three and a half years of an extensive five year renovation since April of 2002. Santa and his Elves have been very busy returning America's 1st theme park to its former glory. As some of you may have been aware, the Grinch forced the brief but scary closing of this American treasure in the summer of 2001.
If it weren't for the town's swift response to the catastrophe, this landmark would be nothing more than a memory today. The entire town rallied and volunteered, filling key roles, from reservations and office management, to show cast to maintenance, retail, restaurant, ride operations, and reindeer training. It allowed the park to reopen for the 5 very special Yuletide Family Weekends preceding Christmas. This in turn allowed the family run Institution to hold on till spring when the proper new owners were found who shared the traditional values and new vision, with fresh energy and financial resources to save this nostalgic slice of Americana.
[Doug Waterbury, 02/22/2006]A charming Christmas theme park (America's First) on Whiteface Mountain, also home of 1932 and 1980 winter Olympics. Opened on July 1, 1949, designed by former Disney designer Arto Monico. The park was visited by Walt Disney Imagineers in July of 1951, 1952,and 1953 to learn more about this new concept: the "THEME PARK."
The park features the real 6-ft. tall solid icey North Pole, Santa's real live reindeer, rides,shows with story book characters, restaurants, gift shops, and other atractions. And, of course, Santa Claus himself. This is an American Treasure.
Recently purchased from the original founders, the Reiss family, by Douglas S. Waterbury .
[Doug Waterbury, 06/13/2003]Nearby Offbeat Places
Whiteface Summit, Wilmington, NY - 4 mi.
John Brown's House and Grave, North Elba, NY - 12 mi.
Tessie: Recycled Sea Serpent, Saranac Lake, NY - 15 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
