Lake Placid: Village of Lights at the North Pole

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It has been a few years since I’ve been back to Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington, NY. My children are a bit older and getting too tall for most of the rides. Without sounding too much like the Grinch, I was feeling like the North Pole didn’t fit me quite right (most of the rides are for children 48” or smaller.) Well, thanks to a friend who was madly packing her children into her car to make it to Santa’s Workshop, we were reacquainted with the North Pole as a family with older children.

Each Sunday in December as well as December 21-23 and 26-30, Santa’s Workshop puts on a special evening show with a Nativity Pageant under the evening sky. Holiday music surrounds the tiny village where elves are busily preparing for Christmas. Join in the caroling around the fire pit, or go to Jack Spratt’s Bakery to get your s’more kit (stick included.)  Of course, no visit is complete with out a stop to see the “jolly old elf.”

Since 1949 Santa’s Workshop has been providing a festive experience. If you are interested in its lengthy but interesting history, check out www.northpoleny.com. Designed by Arto Monaco (Lake of Make Believe) Santa’s Workshop doesn’t only provide us with a direct portal to Santa Claus.

From its inception Santa’s Workshop has continued its good works with Operation Toylift, which delivered toys and gifts to unprivileged children on the off season. Currently any money that goes into the Wishing Well is all donated toward local charities. Now that is a wish well spent.

Santa’s Workshop will be all aglow. The shops are open to pop in for a quick snack and much needed hot chocolate. The only ride available in the evening is the Carousel. There is something magical about riding the Carousel reindeer under a nighttime sky.

If you wish the whole North Pole experience, all the rides (weather permitting) will be open December 22-23 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

As one elf told me, it is Santa’s busy time, but he doesn’t like to disappoint the kids. So, Ho Ho Ho yourself to the North Pole and rediscover the magic of Christmas.

 © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.

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