New York City Carousel Guide

Typical amusement park attractions are super modern. But, even with so many options and hundreds of amusement parks scattered around the world, it seems that one thing still survives in its same format for years: the carousel. It’s something simple, basic, but at the same time charming. And I believe that it’s not just kids who love to ride a horse – if you never tried it,  you don’t know what you are missing! And here in New York, there are several choices of carousels. Yes, who would say that this big and chaotic city has such special places? Check out 11 options in Manhattan and also off the island. It can be a good option for those who travel with children or simply for those who also enjoy a carousel, like me!

• Le Carrousel – is at Bryant Park. It’s small, but cute. $2 per ride. Open from March to December. Check the site to check times and also the special events for the little ones!
• Friedsam Memorial Carousel – features 57 seats and is in Central Park. $3 per ride. Opens every day, with the weather permitting. It is recommended to call before to confirm that it is open.
• Pier 62 Carousel – features 33 seats and is located in the Hudson River Park, a delightful park. The animals are typical from the Hudson River valley. $3.50 per ride. It opens from March to December. Check the website to check more information.
• Totally Kid Carousel –  First world child carousel designed by children – artist Milo Mottola used drawings from local children to create the carousel animals. $1.50per ride. Opens from May to September.
• Jane’s Carousel – probably the most famous carousel in the city. It was opened in 2011 after almost 30 years of renovations, made by local artist Jane Walentas. The original structure dates back to 1922 and has 1,200 lights. The carousel has different operating times for winter and summer. Check out the details.

• Seaglass Carousel – probably the most different of all, simulates the bottom of the sea. There are 30 incredible aquatic glass and steel creatures illuminated by fiber optics and LED lights. $5 per ride. Open all days. Check out more information.
• B&B Carousell – First built in 1906 and a fixture of Brooklyn amusement park culture dating to the 1930s, the B&B Carousell has the power to transport riders back to simpler times. Choose from one of 50 hand-carved wooden horses or two grand chariots, and bask in the graceful charm of old-world amusement park attractions in New York City’s original home for fun in the sun. Open from April to October. $3 per ride. Check out more information.
• Forest Park Carousel – of the few remaining creations of the famous woodcarver Daniel Carl Muller, the Forest Park Carousel was shut down in 2009. In May 2012, it was reopened in a different management. $ 3.50 per ride. Open from March to November. More information about schedules here.
• Barbara Hrbek Zucker Bug Carousel – is located in the Bronx Zoo and the difference is that they are not horses, but insects! $3 per ride ( with the general admission ticket for the zoo). Open from March to November. More infos here.
• Carousel in Prospect Park – is a very popular site attraction since 1952, but the structure was erected in Coney Island in 1915. There are horses, lion, giraffe and dragons. $2,50 per ride. It works from April to October.

Did you like it? Check the location of each one on the map below!