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 Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Farmingdale, Garden City, Greenport, Medford, and West Hempstead. 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, Westchester and Rockland counties, and Connecticut.
Nassau County Carousels
Heckscher Carousel
Hempstead Lake State Park, Lakeside Drive, West Hempstead
516-766-1029
Hours: Open weekends and holidays. April 6-May 25, 12-6pm; June 1-Sept. 7, 12-7pm; Sept. 14-Oct. 12, 12-6pm
Price: $2 per ride
Built in 1916 and nestled in Hempstead Lake State Park, this classic wooden carousel featuring 36 jumping horses and two chariots turns to recorded music.
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| Find this historic carousel in Hempstead Lake State Park |
Historic Nunley's Carousel
Museum Row, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
516-572-4111
Hours: June 20-July 2: Saturday-Sunday 12-5pm; Tuesday-Friday: 12-4pm; July 3-Sept. 4 daily, 12-5pm
Price: $2 per ride
Bells chime as you ride around on this hand-carved, 102-year-old carousel featuring 41 horses and one lion. Located indoors, but there are beautiful picnic grounds nearby. The tools used to build the carousel are on display in the Cradle of Aviation Museum next door. The Long Island Children's Museum is also nearby.
Merry-Go-Round and Wave Swing at Adventureland
2245 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110), Farmingdale
631-694-6868
Hours: Open limited through June 15 and then daily through Sept. 5. Hours vary; see the website for the full schedule.
Price: $1.50 per ticket (three-five tickets per ride), or pay one price for unlimited rides at the park: $32.99.
Opened in 1962, Adventureland offers rides, attractions, and games, including these two low-key, round-a-bout rides that are great for young kids.
Suffolk County Carousels
Boomers! Long Island
655 Long Island Ave., Medford
631-475-1771
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm; Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm
Price: $4 per ride; $7 for two rides
The carousel is one of the kiddie rides at Boomers, meant just for little ones (but adults can ride on it too!). Other kiddie rides include a family coaster, spinning tea cups, and a rock wall. Boomers also offers miniature golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and an arcade. Check the website for promotional offers.
Greenport Antique Carousel
Jess Owen Carousel House, Mitchell Park, Greenport
631-477-0248
Hours: 10am-9pm daily, end of June through Labor Day weekend; see the website for off-season schedule.
Price: $2 per ride; free for children younger than 4 (with a paying adult)
Greenport’s carousel sits in a lovely glass house with a view of the water. It is 100 years old and features hand-painted horses.
Find more carousels in:
Rockland and Westchester Counties
Main image: The merry-go-round at Adventureland in Farmingdale
