The Best Carousels for Kids in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland

There’s no better way to celebrate childhood than to go for a ride on a carousel in NYC. Outdoor carousels represent the epitome of summer, whether it’s at an amusement park, county fair, park, or zoo. There are many indoor carousels in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, and Rockland County for child-friendly fun year-round as well. Here, you’ll find details on each carousel in and near New York City, including its location, hours, price per ride, and a description. As always, please call to confirm the carousel is open before leaving the house to avoid disappointment.

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Carousels in Manhattan

Friedsam Memorial Carousel (The Central Park Carousel)

Central Park (mid-park at 65th Street)
212-439-6900 x4
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Hours: April-October: daily, 10am-6pm. November-March: daily, 11am-5pm. (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.

SeaGlass Carousel

Battery Park (entrance at State and Water streets), Lower Manhattan
212-344-3491
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Hours: Through May 31: Friday-Sunday, 11am-9pm; June 1-Oct. 10: daily, 11am-9pm
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.

Le Carrousel

Bryant Park, West 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
212-768-4242
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Hours: March-May: daily, 11am-7pm; June-October: daily, 11am-8pm; November-December, Sunday-Thursday, 11am-7pm and Friday-Saturday, 11am-8pm (hours are weather permitting)
Price: $3 per ride; $20 for a 10-ride discount card 
Hear the sounds of Paris and the French Cabaret as you ride one of the 14 prancing animals, including 10 horses, a deer, a rabbit, a frog, and a cat. This carousel, specially designed to complement the park’s French classical style, was created by artists at Fabricon Carousel Company that was based in Brooklyn.

Pier 62 Carousel

Hudson River Park, Pier 62, between West 22nd and 23rd streets, Chelsea
[email protected]
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Hours: March 30-Oct. 27: Hours vary, see website for details
Price: $4 per ride; $35 for a 10-Pack; 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

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.

Carousels in Brooklyn

B&B Carousell

Photo courtesy Luna Park

1615 Riegelmann Boardwalk (in Luna Park), Coney Island
718-373-5862
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Hours: Open weekends, 11am-7pm
Price: 3 credits
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.

Jane's Carousel

Brooklyn Bridge Park at the East River, Dumbo
718-222-2502
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Hours: Through May 16: Thursday-Sunday, 11am-6pm; May 17-Sept. 12: Wednesday-Monday, 11am-7pm. There is limited capacity.
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.

Carousels in Queens

Flushing Meadows Carousel

Photo courtesy Ride Entertainment

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Fantasy Forest Amusement Park, 111th Street at 55th Avenue, Flushing
718-788-2676
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Hours: April: Friday, 12-5:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm. May- June: Monday-Friday, 11am-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm
Price: 1 ticket, $3.50
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
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Hours: April: Friday, 12-5:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm. May- June: Monday-Friday, 11am-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-7pm
Price: 1 ticket, $3.50
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.

Carousels in the Bronx

Bug Carousel

Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd. (at Fordham Road)
718-220-5100
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Hours: Open year round, but hours change seasonally. March 27-Nov. 6: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm.
Price: $6 per ride plus general zoo admission: Ticket prices after March 26: $39.95; $34.95 seniors; $29.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2. Free general admission for all on Wednesdays. 
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.

Carousels on Staten Island

Carousel for All Children

Photo courtesy Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy

Willowbrook Park, Eton Place at Richmond Avenue
718-477-0605
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Hours: May through Columbus Day, 11am-5:45pm; Friday-Sunday in May, Wednesday-Sunday in June, daily in July and August. 
Price: $2.25 per person
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.

Carousels on Long Island

Greenport Antique Carousel

Photo courtesy Village of Greenport

Jess Owen Carousel House, Mitchell Park, Greenport
631-477-0248
Hours: School closing through Labor Day weekend, daily, 10am-9pm. Labor Day, 10am-6pm. Labor Day through Columbus Day Weekend, Friday, 4-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm; Columbus Day, 10am-6pm. Columbus Day through Nov. 30, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm. Dec. 1- Easter, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm. Closed Christmas, New Years Day, Easter. Easter to Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm. Memorial Day through school closing, Friday, 4-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm. Sunday, 10am-6pm. Memorial Day, 10am-6pm.
Price: $2 per person
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.

Merry-Go-Round at Adventureland

2245 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110), Farmingdale
631-694-6868
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Hours: April 10-June 22: Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-8pm; June 23-Sept. 6, Monday-Friday, 11am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-10:30pm
Price: $24.99 ages 25 and older; $39.99 ages 2-24; free for children younger than 2; everyone entering the park is required to have their own paid admission ticket.
Opened in 1962, Adventureland offers rides, attractions, and games, including this low-key, round-a-bout ride that is great for young kids.

Carousels in Westchester County

Playland's Grand Carousel and Kiddy Carousel

Exit 19 off I-95, Rye
914-813-7000
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Hours: Specific days and hours vary, check the website for a full schedule
Price: $30; $20 for children shorter than 48 inches; $10 for non-resident spectators (no rides); free for children younger than 2 and resident spectators (no rides). Westchester residents receive a $5 discount.
Playland's Grand Carousel, constructed in 1915, features 66 horses with jewel-studded harnesses and three handicap-accessible chariots, all of which circle a rare Gavioli band organ. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall; kids shorter than 42 inches must ride with an adult. Playland's Grand Carousel was closed for renovations in 2019; it hasn’t been announced yet if it will be open for the 2021 season.
Little ones between 36 and 55 inches tall can choose to ride the Kiddy Carousel, one of many rides in the park’s Kiddyland section meant for the youngest set of thrill-seekers.

Carousels in Rockland County

Palisades Center Mall Carousel

Exit 12 off Route 303, West Nyack
845-353-2595
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Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-7pm
Price: $3
The 1907 antique and restored carousel, a double-decker Venetian model by Bertazzon, is located in the food court next to the Ferris wheel.

Carousels in Bergen County, NJ

Millennium Carousel at the Bergen County Zoo

Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
201-262-3771
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Hours: Open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm
Price: $1.50 per ride plus zoo admission: $8 ($4 for county residents); $5 children ages 3-14 ($2 for county residents); free for children younger than 3. Tickets must be purchased at the zoo's train station.
Watch animals all day at the zoo and then ride their likeness.

Carousels in Fairfield County, CT

Beardsley Zoo Carousel

1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport
203-394-6565
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Hours: Daily, 9am-4pm
Price: Zoo admission: Adult, $16. Child (ages 3-11), $13. Senior (62+), $12. Under 3, 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
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Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-7pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm
Price: $3 per ride
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.

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Since its inception, Child's Play NY has touched the lives of hundreds of students, worked inside dozens of schools and is consistently ranked as among the top theater arts programs. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is the 2019 winner of Brooklyn Family's Choice award for Best Performing Arts Class.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fall/Winter 2020-21 Virtual Class Guide</span><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make a Movie Class</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Experience creative fulfillment and movie magic with Child’s Play NY! 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Deep project-based learning and peer-connection is at the heart of this 9-week experience which can be done remotely or in-person.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fall and Winter Virtual Classes</span></strong></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 36pt; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong>Hogwarts School (grades 1-3)</strong>: Come get sorted into your favorite house, jump on your Firebolt and let’s make some magic! Class culminates in a movie montage featuring our original scripted work from the session.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Create Your Own Class</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make your own custom group to support social-emotional growth and play. Child’s Play NY provides a dynamic teacher and their lauded curriculum that puts peer-interaction at the front and center. Custom classes are a special way to nurture what your child loves most and share that excitement with their friends, in-person or online.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Playwriting (Grades 4-6)</strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students will use their creativity, compassion and confidence to build a story they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Individually, each student will craft a play, and together they will workshop their scenes, exercising their acting, directing, and most importantly, imagination skills. 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They work alongside professional performers with years of experience bringing their passion to children. Class culminates in a movie showcase of scenes and songs.<br />Join for the full session, or enroll as a drop-in!<strong><br /></strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Shakespeare Scene Study (Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12)</strong></div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Young people become confident with Shakespeare’s world, language and characters as they learn how to interpret a role with technique and courage. Classically trained professional actors assist the players in their physical, vocal and emotional transformations. All Shakespeare teaching artists are classically trained professional actors and have performed Shakespeare both on and off Broadway and in regional theaters across the country.</div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students jump into the worlds of Shakespeare in this robust mash-up of improvisation and classic text scene study class. After learning the plot and characters from several plays, they rehearse and memorize scenes from the original text. New material, devised by the cast, adds a contemporary through-line to their show and highlights the universality of Shakespeare’s themes.<br />Class culminates in a movie showcasing their work.</div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Big Twist: A New Musical (Grade 1-4)</strong></div> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <div style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this acting class, students get to perform a brand new musical based on The Wizard of Oz.<br />The Wicked Witch of the South wants to return Oz to a time when WITCHES reigned supreme, and all was evil. Summoning a dark magic Tornado, the Wicked Witch of the South sends Oz hurtling into an alternate Oz. With the Yellow Brick road destroyed, the Wizard left powerless, and the citizens of Oz scattered to the Wind, our heroes are forced into unlikely partnerships to stop the Witch and restore the world to order. The Wizard of Oz meets The Tempest.  Class culminates in a premiere of a movie starring the students, filmed over the last few days of the session.</div> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-57c50323-7fff-79ce-175a-5e25408c0e29"></span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-84ebe141-7fff-03c2-24cf-fead86e88df2"></span></p>

Advantage QuickStart Tennis

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A proven teaching method, customized by age and ability for ages 3 and up. Special kid-sized racquets and playing area, plus slower-bouncing balls, make it fun from day one!</span></p>

CK Kids

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">CK Kids offers various classes and programs, including Afterschool Program, Lil Chefs, Boys Hip-Hop, Ninja Starz, Lil Artists, CK Kids Athletic Programs, Acrobatics, Dance and Drama, and Karate. </span></p>