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Sep 26, 2023

What's new among Adirondack attractions

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A Stegosaurus along the trail of Dino Roar Valley. (Provided, photo by Gianluca Puorto)

A Hadrosaurus along the trail of Dino Roar Valley. (Provided, photo by Gianluca Puorto)

Dinosaurs along the trail of Dino Roar Valley. (Provided)

Dinosaurs along the trail of Dino Roar Valley. (Provided)

Dinosaurs along the trail of Dino Roar Valley. (Provided)

The Dino Roar Valley attraction will be added to the existing Magic Forest amusement park to form the Lake George Expedition Park along Route 9.

Site plan use for Frontier Town Equestrian and Day Camp Area. (state Department Environmental Conservation)

A rendering of the entrance to the proposed Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area. (state Department of Environmental Conservation)

Renderings show the campground planned for the former Frontier Town site.

View of Blue Mountain Lake from Adirondack Experience.

At Adirondack Experience.

The Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

The Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

A 1900 racing sloop inside the visitors center at the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

A locomotive at the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

A railway car at the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

A carriage on display at the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake (photo by Amy Biancolli)

QUEENSBURY — The Adirondacks, from Warren County north to the Canadian border, have been welcoming tourists for generations. From the "Queen of American Lakes" in Lake George to the rugged and picturesque High Peaks region farther north, it's easy to understand the appeal.

Tourism officials constantly work to diversify the offerings, said Ed Bartholomew, who heads the Warren County Economic Development Corp. After all, tourists spend $1.4 billion a year on their visits to the region, supporting thousands of jobs.

New this year are several attractions, including the Lake George Expedition Park featuring animatronic dinosaurs, a reimagined Frontier Town, the Hurricane Harbor water adventure at Six Flags' Great Escape in Queensbury, and even one that offers the opportunity to rent vintage boats to paddle on Minnow Pond at The Adirondack Experience, a museum in Blue Mountain Lake.

Dino Roar Valley

The former Magic Forest attraction, first opened in 1963, has expanded with the addition of Dino Roar Valley, featuring animatronic prehistoric creatures. The Magic Forest remains, and the entire attraction is now known as the Lake George Expedition Park, which opened for the season this weekend. Details: lakegeorgeexpeditionpark.com

Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags' Splashwater Kingdom becomes Hurricane Harbor and features a 14,000-square-foot expansion called Monsoon Lagoon, with the Bucket Blaster interactive ride that offers water guns, as well as Shipwreck Cove, a pool featuring water sprays and geysers. Monsoon Lagoon is being previewed first to members, then to season ticket holders, before opening to the public June 1. The Queensbury park's new name is Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor. Details: sixflags.com/greatescape

The Sagamore Resort

The Morgan, a replica of a 19th century tourist vessel, already offers 90-minute Lake George cruises to guests of the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, a feature included in their resort fee. New this year, we're told, are wine cruises on the lake. They'll be held each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. during the summer months. Details: thesagamore.com

Frontier Town Campsite

Baby boomers will remember this amusement park for its Wild West gun battles and other adventures. Horses remain a big part of the re-imagined Frontier Town, which has been converted to a campground that will host not only areas featuring tie stalls for horses, but also campsites accommodating recreational vehicles, camping trailers and tents. Equestrian trails and trails for pedestrians also are planned. And local craft brewer Paradox Brewery will be serving beer on site starting in July, with additional facilities expected to open in the autumn. Details: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/112046.html

Adirondack Experience

This Blue Mountain Lake museum's summer exhibitions include one called "Taxidermy Camp Decor," featuring taxidermy from the 19th century, and another entitled "Adirondack Lanscapes," featuring paintings from a number of artists. But the museum also is offering visitors who hike the three-quarter-mile trail to Minnow Pond the opportunity to rent vintage boats and canoes from the museum's collection for a trip on the placid pond. Details: www.theadkx.org