There’s no better to celebrate childhood than to go on a carousel ride. Outdoor carousels represent the epitome of summer vacation, whether it’s at an amusement park, county fair, park, or zoo. There are many indoor carousels as well for child-friendly fun year-round. Here, you will find our guide to carousels and merry-go-rounds in Connecticut, including Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, and Hartford. You'll find details on each carousel, including its location, hours it's open, price per ride, and a description. Be sure to also check out our guides to carousels in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties.
Fairfield County, CT Carousels
Beardsley Zoo Carousel
1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport
203-394-6565
Hours: Carousel hours: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm; Saturday-Sunday 9am-4pm
Price: $2 per ride plus zoo admission: $14; $10 seniors and children ages 3-11; free for children younger than 3. Parking is free.
This carousel features colorful versions of the animals you visit at the zoo.
Danbury Fair Mall Carousel
7 Backus Ave., Danbury
203-207-0305
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-9:30pm; Sunday 11am-7pm
Price: $3 per ride; $11 for four rides; $15 for six rides; $24 for 9 rides. Kids with disabilities ride for free.
Located in the food court on the mall’s upper level, this double-decker carousel features rows of wooden horses that move up and down to traditional carnival music. The mall is built on the former site of the Danbury Fair (last held in 1981), and the carousel is a replica of that fair’s carousel.
Hartford County, CT Carousels
Bushnell Park Carousel
Bushnell Park, Trinity Street at Elm Street, Hartford
860-585-5411
Hours: Friday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Price: $1 per ride; free for children younger than 1
This antique carousel (it’s nearly 100 years old!), housed in a pavilion, features 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two lovers’ chariots that swirl around a booming Wurlitzer band organ.
New England Carousel Museum
95 Riverside Ave., Bristol
860-585-5411
Hours: Saturdays 10am-5pm; Sundays 12-5pm; Monday-Friday by reservation only
Price: Admission: $6; $5.50 seniors; $3.50 children ages 4-14; $2 children ages 1-3.
While the museum's working carousel is closed, you can still view one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country here.
Find more carousels in:
Rockland and Westchester Counties
