Carousel of Happiness
Carousel of Happiness
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Carousel of Happiness is Nederland, Colorado's magical menagerie featuring 56 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ. Rides are now $3, or 10 for $25. Scott Harrison was a 19-year-old Marine Gunner serving in Vietnam where the gift of a music box and the image of a carousel in a mountain meadow calmed him. Many years later, after rescuing an abandoned carousel, he began carving what would become a whimsical menagerie. It took him a little over 26 years to hand-carve the 56 animals and a dedicated group of volunteers helped bring the carousel to life in the little mountain town west of Boulder. The fully-enclosed Carousel of Happiness turns to the music of a restored 1913 Wurlitzer Band Organ, and is home to a gift shop, storytelling booth and do-it-yourself puppet theater. The Carousel is available to rent for birthday parties and private events, and is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
257 reviews
Excellent
230
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Pana-X8
Raleigh, NC133 contributions
Aug 2022
You would think that carousels are for kids, which they are. But this one has a magic about it that makes great for all ages. The animal (and some people) carvings are beautifully done, the ride is like gliding, and the music almost three-dimensional. Everyone there is transported.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara M
Springfield, MO3,229 contributions
Jul 2021
Inexpensive, impressive that one guy carved all this, and it was delightful music the whole time. Upstairs is a puppet "gallery" where you can put on shows. A friend mine put on a little show for a couple of children. Great fun, and we WERE happy--all 3 of us.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joshua Berkovitz
West Bloomfield Township, MI1,054 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We visited this place many times…
Adults and kids love this place for its beautiful and unique CAROUSAL..
It is all made from wood. Beautifully done. Assorted wooden CORVED animals.
The music is plaid by a very old fashioned music box.
The mechanism of the carousel is all OLD Fashioned!!!
It is operated by a non profit!!!
Next door you can get in a train trailers freshly made old fashioned donuts and enjoy a drink of your liking.
Adults and kids love this place for its beautiful and unique CAROUSAL..
It is all made from wood. Beautifully done. Assorted wooden CORVED animals.
The music is plaid by a very old fashioned music box.
The mechanism of the carousel is all OLD Fashioned!!!
It is operated by a non profit!!!
Next door you can get in a train trailers freshly made old fashioned donuts and enjoy a drink of your liking.
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelin Exec
Julesburg, CO1 contribution
Oct 2020
Wonderful experience. You can't help but smile from deep inside while riding the Carousel of Happiness. As hokey as it sounds, it's true. I'm a grumpy old guy and was very skeptical - totally caught off guard by this amazing experience. Such a labor of love; 26 years of hand restoration to restore a 1910 carousel as part of therapy to heal from the Vietnam War. Don't miss this opportunity to have a deep down happy feeling for $2.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you! We’re glad you came and enjoyed your visit to the Carousel!
Written November 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ed B
Eagle Mountain, UT1,184 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I stumbled upon this attraction merely by accident. I was in the mood for a drive up the canyon, and when I got to the city, I looked to see if there was anything to do. Wow. This is a destination attraction. The people there were extremely friendly, and I feel like I was transported back a century while riding on the carousel. I will definitely be back and I will tell people about this place. I really enjoyed the experience.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VespagirL55
Bisbee, AZ672 contributions
Sep 2020
Heard about the Carousel many years ago, and finally got a chance to ride. What a charming, lovingly maintained attraction. Seven of us (adults and kids) were all pleased by our visit. Good COVID protocol: only 10 people per ride. Our group got to ride by ourselves. Fun for all to pick their carousel character to ride. Nice little gift shop helps support the carousel and charity. A must-do if you're in the area.
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you! We’re glad your group enjoyed visiting the Carousel of Happiness!
Written November 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anjpanj55
Florida209 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Such an amazing little place in a cute little mountain town. So glad we stopped here as it ended up being one of the highlights of our vacation. Take some time to look around when you are there and take it all in. Listen to the story behind the making of this carousel. I was moved to tears. It’s a special little gem.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike P
Cleveland, OH126 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Flying Southwest Airlines reading the May inflight magazine I came across an article on Scott Harrison's labor of love. My wife sees the tears while reading but doesn't ask. Landing in Denver I set out on a ride to see the Carousel of Happiness, telling her where we are going is a surprise. Arriving in Nederland she can't figure out why we are there. Walking to the Carousel I have her close her eyes until inside the doors when she sees the Carousel. We purchase our $1 ticket and she can't believe my excitement. Trustingly she asks "why are we here?" The young lady running the ride asks we all be careful climbing aboard. He last instruction is we all "must have fun". She picks the reindeer, I pick the duck. The ride starts and two near 60 year olds become kids again. Photos and video of a roomful of people at peace.
After buying a book for the grand-niece, and other stuff we off to Estes Park. Driving along I tell her the story of how the troubled vet has carved all the animals and his service to humanity. Driving along I get tears again thinking of Scott and thankful for his simple gift, my wife notices the tears of her husband, she smiles but says nothing allowing for my happiness.
And for a few minutes that Carousel was the center of all that can be good in this world.
After buying a book for the grand-niece, and other stuff we off to Estes Park. Driving along I tell her the story of how the troubled vet has carved all the animals and his service to humanity. Driving along I get tears again thinking of Scott and thankful for his simple gift, my wife notices the tears of her husband, she smiles but says nothing allowing for my happiness.
And for a few minutes that Carousel was the center of all that can be good in this world.
Written May 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria F
Los Angeles, CA61 contributions
Sep 2019
The story of the restoration of this carousel is a wonderful story. Nederland resident Scott Harrison not only brought the.carousel to Nederland but carved.the.animals over the.course of 27 years. The citizens raised the.money to house the carousel. This is the best $2 you will spend on a visit and leave with a big smile! Enchanting!
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting, Victoria--and for sharing your experience. We hope you'll come again sometime!
Written October 15, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hiplain1
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania305 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
First its a great story...but honestly, its just fun. Who doesnt love a carousel? It moves pretty well...the woodwork is awesome...just a great little stop for people of all ages.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katrina
Nederland, Colorado
We will be open 11am - 6pm those days.
Written March 16, 2017
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