There’s no better way 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 New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. 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 Westchester and Rockland counties, Long Island, and Connecticut.
Manhattan Carousels
Friedsam Memorial Carousel (The Central Park Carousel)
Central Park (mid-park at 65th Street)
212-439-6900 x4
Hours: April-October: 10am-6pm daily. November-March: 11am-5pm daily. (Hours are weather permitting.)
Price: $3 per ride (cash only)
Located in the heart of Central Park, this handcrafted carousel’s 57 horses run laps to vintage organ music. Note: Especially in the summer, there is often a long line to ride.
Le Carrousel
Bryant Park, West 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
212-768-4242
Hours: March-May: 11am-7pm, daily; June-October: 11am-8pm, daily; November-December, 11am-7pm (hours are weather permitting)
Price: $3 per ride; $20 for 10 rides
Hear the sounds of Paris and the French Cabaret as you ride one of the 14 prancing animals. During the summer, Flaubert Frog tells stories and plays games with kids on Saturdays from 1-2pm, and roaming magicians can be seen performing tricks on Sundays.
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| Hear the sounds of Paris and the French Cabaret at Bryant Park's Le Carrousel. |
Pier 62 Carousel
Hudson River Park, Pier 62, between West 22nd and 23rd streets, Chelsea
718-788-2676
Hours: March 30-Oct. 27. Hours vary, see website for details
Price: $3.50 per ride; $10 for 3 rides; $30 for 10 rides; free for parents assisting children shorter than 42 inches.
Ride on animals ranging from unicorns to raccoons, or pretend to be King Trident as you ride the oyster chariot. This carousel can accommodate children in wheelchairs. Restrooms located at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers. Can be rented for birthday parties
SeaGlass Carousel
Battery Park (entrance at State and Water streets), Lower Manhattan
212-344-3491
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-7pm
Price: $5
This aquatic-themed carousel is made entirely of glass and steel and features 30 sea creatures under color-changing LED lights, making you feel like you are in an underwater garden.
Totally Kid Carousel
Riverbank State Park, 679 Riverside Drive at 145th Street, Upper Manhattan
212-694-3633
Hours: May-September, see website for hours
Price: $1 per ride
This funky carousel, opened in 1997, was designed using children’s drawings of animals.
Brooklyn Carousels
B&B Carousell
1615 Boardwalk (off Kensington Walk), Luna Park, Coney Island
718-373-5862
Hours: March-October, hours vary; see the Luna Park website for details
Price: 3 credits per ride (each credit is $1); 100 credits + 25 bonus credits is $100
This historic carousel, built in 1906, features 50 wooden horses, has been completely restored and moved to the Steeplechase Plaza. See the website or call for updates.
Prospect Park Carousel
Children's Corner (Willink entrance), Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Prospect Heights
718-965-8951
Hours: Thursday-Sunday and holidays 12-5pm
Price: $2 per ride; $11.50 for five rides; free for children younger than 12 in August
Located next to Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Zoo, this 100-year-old carousel was hand-carved by designer Charles Carmel and features 53 horses as well as two dragon-pulled chariots. It is wheelchair accessible.
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| The Prospect Park Carousel features 53 horses and two dragon-pulled chariots. |
Jane's Carousel
Brooklyn Bridge Park at the East River, Dumbo
718-222-2502
Hours: May-September: Wednesday-Monday 11am-7pm
Price: $2 per ride; $20 for 12 rides
Named after artist and DUMBO resident Jane Walentas, the 1922 structure was refurbished and reopened in 2011. There are 1,200 lights and the carousel is settled into a pavilion designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel.
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| Jane's Carousel boasts waterfront views in DUMBO |
Queens Carousels
Flushing Meadows Carousel
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, 111th Street at 55th Avenue, Flushing
718-788-2676
Hours: June-August: Monday-Friday 11am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday 11am-8pm. Hours vary; check website for details.
Price: $3.50 for one ticket (one ride); $10 for three tickets; $30 for 10 tickets; $55 for 20 tickets; $100 for 40 tickets. Weekday Unlimited Ride Wristband: $25 (valid until 4pm on weekdays)
Moved to Queens from Coney Island for the 1964 World’s Fair, this classic carousel is located next to the Queens Zoo and about a 2-minute walk from the New York Hall of Science.
Forest Park Carousel
Northwest Entrance (Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive), Forest Park
718-788-2676
Hours: April-August: Saturday-Sunday 11am-7pm; Memorial Day to Labor Day: Monday-Friday 11am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday 11am-7pm. Hours vary; see the full schedule on the website.
Price: $3.50 for one ticket; $10 for three tickets; $30 for 10 tickets
Created in 1890, this carousel is the only carousel that is also a designated New York City landmark. Take a spin on one of the 49 horses or ride in a chariot as you listen to vintage organ music.
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| The Forest Park Carousel is the only carousel that is also a designated New York City landmark. |
Bronx Carousels
Bug Carousel
Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd. (at Fordham Road)
718-220-5100
Hours: Open year round. March 30-November 3: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm.
Price: $6 per ride plus general zoo admission: $22.95; $20.95 seniors; $14.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2. Free general admission for all on Wednesdays. Free with total experience ticket: $36.95; $31.95 seniors; $26.95 children ages 3-12.
Added to the zoo in 2005, this carousel is composed entirely of bugs and butterflies and is located next to the Butterfly Garden, where you can see live butterflies in flight and flowers in bloom. This carousel is accessible to manual wheelchairs.
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The Bug Carousel is located right next to the Butterfly Garden in the Bronx Zoo. |
Staten Island Carousels
Carousel for All Children
Willowbrook Park, Eton Place at Richmond Avenue
718-667-2165
Hours: Opening day May 6 through October. Hours vary and are weather permitting, check the website.
Price: $2 per ride; multiple ride vouchers are available.
Choose your steed from the 51 hand-carved and colorfully painted animals that adorn this Victorian-style wooden merry-go-round, located next to the duck pond. The carousel is accessible for those with physical challenges.
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| This Victorian-style carousel is also wheelchair accessible. |
Find More Carousels in the NYC Area:
Rockland and Westchester counties
Main image: The Friedsam Memorial Carousel in Central Park
