#carousels — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

Panethos @[email protected] · 2026-08-05 · 07:25 UTC

The Merriest Carousels 🎠 Going ‘Round the USA

Few things bring instant joy to youngsters and adults alike than riding a carousel (or merry-go-round). Riding up and down while rotating counter-clockwise to the sound of triumphant and festive music can bring a smile to anyone.

Racing hares designed by C.W. Parker of Leavenworth, KS

Listed below are carousels that have been ridden or seen by the blog author to date while traveling about the United States. While there are others that were likely ridden or seen as a youth in my hometown of Indianapolis at Broad Ripple Park, the Indiana State Fair, or at the Indianapolis Zoo, there are no dates or photos to go with them.

Each category is presented in reverse chronological order of visitation (most recent first) and includes: the name of the carousel, the firm who built it (when known) and the year of completion, its current location, and the date the carousel was ridden or just seen.

There are numerous other carousels around the country, so be sure to check and see if there’s one in your community or nearby. Aside from amusement parks and theme parks, they can be found at carnivals, fairs, museums, zoos, entertainment venues, city parks, malls, and many other places.

Carousels are a terrific amenity to add to a community. Personally, I prefer the ones that are located in city parks or similar locations where they are easily available for all to ride. For families on a tight budget, the entry fee to a theme park, zoo, or large museum can be daunting and limit accessibility to a carousel.

A chance to ride Rudolph at the North Pole in Colorado?

The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop Amusement Park near Colorado Springs has developed a great solution for this quandary. They allow guests to purchase a ride-specific ticket instead of only offering an expensive all-day or half-day pass. Hopefully more places will adopt such an option, as carousels are meant to be loved and enjoyed, not restricted by a pricey entry fee.

The list provided will be updated accordingly as more carousels are visited across the country and elsewhere.

Peace and merry riding!

Quit horsing around!

Carousels Ridden:

Riverside Park Carousel (Dentzel, ca. 1885) Logansport, Indiana – 8/3/26

Parker Carousel #118 (Parker, 1913): Leavenworth, Kansas – 8/2/26 – very speedy!

Centennial Carousel (Hornberger/Brass Ring, 2001): Elk City, Oklahoma – 7/31/26

The North Pole – Santa’s Workshop Carousel (Spillman, ca. 1919 with original horses): Cascade, Colorado – 7/25/26

Carousel of Happiness (Looff, 1910): Nederland, Colorado – 7/23/26

St. Louis Union Station Carousel (Zamperla, 2019): St. Louis, Missouri – 6/23/26

Glen Echo Park Carousel (Dentzel, 1921): Bethesda, Maryland – 9/13/25

Cook Carousel (Spillman, 1928): Grand Rapids, Michigan – 9/21/18

Carousels Seen, but not Ridden:

Parker Carousel (Parker, 1950): Leavenworth, Kansas – 8/2/26

Primitive Carousel (ca. 1855): Leavenworth, Kansas – 8/2/26

Wilmore Carousel (2003): Wilmore, Kansas – 8/1/26

Cottonwood Mall Carousel (1996): Albuquerque, New Mexico – 9/23/25

Cullen Family Carousel (Briggs/Fabricon, 2007): Detroit, Michigan – 8/29/21

Grand Traverse Mall Carousel (Chance Rides, 1992): Traverse City, Michigan – 2/23/19

Cox Wildlife Carousel (Chance Rides, 2015): Tucson, Arizona – 2/15/19

#carousels #merryGoRounds #tourism #travel

#carousels #merrygorounds #tourism #travel