An Enchanted Time at Water Safari - Old Forge's Awesome Water Park

Last updated on July 23, 2020.

It’s no secret that the Adirondacks is one of my absolute favorite places on this planet. If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you’ll see it’s been full of mountain views lately! Every summer growing up my parents would take my brother and I camping up at Old Forge. Some of our favorite childhood memories were made in days at Enchanted Forest Water Safari exploring the storybook area with our best friends. In the evenings we’d return to our campsite to watch out for bears (no joke). Water Safari is not only the biggest water park in New York state, but it’s rated one of the best in the country. It’s also one of TripAdvisor’s top choices! Intrigued? I bet you are.

Me at Enchanted Forest — Baby Dani at Water Safari!

Enchanted Forest Carriage — Baby Dani at Water Safari!

Here are my best tips for enjoying Water Safari – on a budget!

Purchase your ticket at a local business

By buying your ticket ahead of time, you’ll be able to save over $7 off your admission! You can find pre-sale tickets at local grocery stores like Price Chopper and Wegmans.

Get more than a day’s visit with the Siesta Pass

If you arrive at the park after 3pm (or 2pm on the days they close earlier), you can pay admission for the remainder of the day and get a FREE pass to return again the next day. Best. News. Ever. My recommendation? Arrive after that cut-off and enjoy all of the dry rides. Then, return in the morning to spend the day by the pools sunbathing and getting soaked on the wet rides! No worrying about changing your clothes or having enough time to fit it all in.

Take your photo with Paul Bunyan

Yes, it may be cheesy. Yes, a group of us 20- and 30-somethings looked like a giddy group of children. But I don’t regret it for one minute! As soon as you enter the park you’ll see the giant statue of Paul Bunyan, and it is the must-have photo opportunity of the park.
While you’re at it, join the Paul Bunyan Club! For an extra $4 with your first visit this year, you’ll unlock half off your admission for the rest of the 2019 season!

Relive your childhood with Storybook Lane

Another one of my favorite childhood memories is visiting all the nursery rhyme recreations! And you can bet that I did that again on my most recent visit. From Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage to Hansel & Gretel’s gingerbread house, they are over 20 stories recreated along a path through the woods in the park. Meant for the children to visit in awe, but reminiscent for the adults as you listen to the stories play.

Get a season pass!

If you plan on visiting on at least 3 different days during the summer, it’s worth it to get yourself a season pass. That will get you unlimited admission for the season and 10% off food and drinks in the park.

Water Safari’s Attractions

There are over 50 rides to be discovered at Enchanted Forest Water Safari – and more than half are wet rides!

The Dry Rides

My favorite? The classic Skyride – take the ride up and get relaxing views of the whole park! But you’ll also find the traditional ones like the bumper cars and tilt-o-whirl. The wet rides are what really shine! (Also why the siesta pass is a great option!)

The Wet Rides

This is where Water Safari does it best! The most popular is definitely “Curse of the Silverback”, a group ride where your tube circles around a giant funnel like a toilet bowl. And then – drop! For a relaxing day, you can choose from two different lazy rivers – the “Log Jammer” and “Safari River Expeditions”. Plus, there’s everything in between! Races, wave pools, single riders, partner and group tubes… Enough to fill your whole day!

Family Circus

Twice daily you can watch the circus show. From the standard jugglers and trapeze artists, you’ll also find more unique acts like performing dogs and the famous motorcycle cage rider!

Play with the animals

Are you an animal lover like me? Then check out Paul’s Barnyard to play with and feed the sheep, goats, pigs, and birds that are there. I recommend going in between some of the dry rides!

There’s more than just Water Safari in Old Forge

While you’re visiting Old Forge, be sure to get the most out of your stay.

Calypso’s Cove

Enchanted Forest Water Safari claims it’s “Where the fun never stops!” And that’s true! Even outside the park, you can continue your adventure – next door at Calypso’s Cove. From mini golf and batting cages, to an arcade, go karts, and more, you’re sure to have a blast.

Slicker’s Restaurant

After a long day at the water park, you’re sure to be hungry! Luckily, there’s a hometown favorite restaurant across the street – Slickers. Their pizza and chicken wings are fantastic. Seriously. So. Darn. Good. Get yourself some garlic parm wings and you’ll be in heaven.

Adirondack Dog House

If you’re really pinching your pennies for this trip, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Adirondack Dog House. Hot dogs with all sorts of toppings, french fries and onion rings? Delicious. Classic. And cheap. Score!

Fulton Chain Craft Brewery

What’s dinner without a beer? A visit to Fulton Chain Craft Brewery is a must. Adirondack-themed and dog-friendly, you won’t want to miss drinking their “Go Fluff Yourself” beer served by the owner who is a doppelganger of Adam Levine. Weird name? Yes. Delicious? Heck yes. It’s a peanut butter marshmallow beer that has become very popular in Central New York – for good reason!
Fun fact: we got to tour their tiny brewing space, and all of their tanks are named after the lakes in the Fulton Chain of Lakes! They also have pictures of the lakes on them. Love it!

Wisk Baking Co

You know I’m a sucker for a good coffee shop and bakery. Wisk isn’t that. Wisk Baking Co is an incredible coffee shop and bakery! Featuring the delicious confections of “Pastry Khaleesi” Amy, the desserts are almost too beautiful to eat! Almost.

You’ll have a hard time choosing from the bagels, croissants, muffins, and more. Get yourself a slice of cake to go. I’d also recommend the “ADK Campfire” crepe, made with Nutella, Fluff, and graham crackers!