Central Park Carousel
Central Park Carousel
4.5
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Central Park Carousel
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Central Park
How to get there
- 5th Ave / 59th St • 7 min walk
- 59th St – Columbus Circle • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,569 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,838 within 6 miles
Contribute
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
4.5
139 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
45
Average
17
Poor
4
Terrible
2
reise3
1,287 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Classic, historic indoor carousel - $3.50 per ride. Love the detailed carving on the horses & chariots and the ironwork on the decorative fencing. This is a nostalgic Central Park must for me, reminiscent of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye.
Written January 15, 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.
RunningDuff
165 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
There's so much to see in Central Park and this is an old classic. The kids will love it (some big kids too). It's worth taking a look and maybe a ride.
Written November 10, 2015
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.
Genevieve P
Tanzania25 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
it was absolutely baking hot that Saturday in Central Park and after having walked through the park, we got straight on the carousel and really enjoyed the breeze whilst having a mellow ride on the vintage carousel. Really low key and something fun to stumble across.
Written July 26, 2013
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.
kerryandrich
Swindon, England277 contributions
Mar 2020
We happened upon the carousel when strolling around the park. It was very quiet and we were the only people on the ride. Great fun, and another experience to add to the list.
Written March 20, 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.
Martin P
Malmö, Sweden1,003 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Our two year old loved it! Good thing to visit to give the little ones some joy after all those shopping and sightseeing days :)
Recommend the hershley playground nearby as well
Price is around 3$ per person
Recommend the hershley playground nearby as well
Price is around 3$ per person
Written February 17, 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.
Aky Rafi
Birmingham, UK57 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
All 6 of us went onto the carousel. It's well over 100 years old but for me that just adds to the charm. It was a lovely ride and the kids enjoyed it so that's all that matters.
Written June 27, 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.
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, AZ165,451 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
My wife is a big fan of carousels, which she has always referred to as the “flying horses.” On a lovely May afternoon, we took a long stroll to Central Park, and to the Michael Friedsam Memorial Carousel (often referred to as just “the Central Park Merry-Go-Round,” or simply “the Central Park Carousel”), not too far from the 59th St entrance, and just across where 65th St crosses the Park. We were walking up Center Drive, when I caught a glimpse of the building, and from its shape, was certain that I knew what it was – a carousel. I didn’t say anything, and we wandered the area a bit, when I began leading her to the building. Sure enough, as I thought, a carousel! She was delighted.
This carousel, so I learned from the plaques around it, was the fourth on to occupy this same spot. Two had been destroyed by fires, and this one, a gift “to the children of New York” from the Michael Friedsam Foundation, was erected in 1951, though it looked much older – which is very likely what the architect intended, as it was replacing carousels from early in the 20th Century. The last previous was destroyed in 1950, and this one was modeled after that.
This was a Sunday, and the park was filled. The line to the carousel was fairly long, but my wife waited patiently. I think that she was the only adult, without a child in tow, in the line, and was certainly the only one to take the next ride. I am sure that many asked themselves, “where is her grandchild?” but really only had to look at her beaming smile, to know that it was she, who was having all of the fun.
I worried that I would have to force her to leave, but one ride was enough. My mission was complete, and my wife was smiling ear-to-ear. “That reminded me so much of the ‘flying horses’ in Audubon Park, when I was a young child. My father would take me there from State St, almost every Sunday.” While all of the children, and the parents with them, had smiles, none out-shown that of my wife. It was great how such a simple amusement park contraption could bring such pleasure. There were no gravity-defying surges, no virtual reality, no computerized light show, no 3-D projection – just a simple building, with mechanical horses, that went round and round, and up and down. Still, the thrill was evident on my wife’s face. For a few moments, this carousel had suspended her disbelief, and she was transported to another park, over 1,000 miles away, and to another time – about when this carousel was dedicated. For one brief ride, she was 5 years old again – and with her father, who died just a few years later.
A wonderful “stroll in the park,” was now complete, and we slowly made our way out of the Park, to find a nice glass of wine.
This carousel, so I learned from the plaques around it, was the fourth on to occupy this same spot. Two had been destroyed by fires, and this one, a gift “to the children of New York” from the Michael Friedsam Foundation, was erected in 1951, though it looked much older – which is very likely what the architect intended, as it was replacing carousels from early in the 20th Century. The last previous was destroyed in 1950, and this one was modeled after that.
This was a Sunday, and the park was filled. The line to the carousel was fairly long, but my wife waited patiently. I think that she was the only adult, without a child in tow, in the line, and was certainly the only one to take the next ride. I am sure that many asked themselves, “where is her grandchild?” but really only had to look at her beaming smile, to know that it was she, who was having all of the fun.
I worried that I would have to force her to leave, but one ride was enough. My mission was complete, and my wife was smiling ear-to-ear. “That reminded me so much of the ‘flying horses’ in Audubon Park, when I was a young child. My father would take me there from State St, almost every Sunday.” While all of the children, and the parents with them, had smiles, none out-shown that of my wife. It was great how such a simple amusement park contraption could bring such pleasure. There were no gravity-defying surges, no virtual reality, no computerized light show, no 3-D projection – just a simple building, with mechanical horses, that went round and round, and up and down. Still, the thrill was evident on my wife’s face. For a few moments, this carousel had suspended her disbelief, and she was transported to another park, over 1,000 miles away, and to another time – about when this carousel was dedicated. For one brief ride, she was 5 years old again – and with her father, who died just a few years later.
A wonderful “stroll in the park,” was now complete, and we slowly made our way out of the Park, to find a nice glass of wine.
Written April 3, 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.
Beatrix T
Brno, Czech Republic290 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
I didn't actually ride the carousel, but I wanted to check it out because of literary reasons, and it was just the way Salinger described in The Catcher in the Rye.
I stayed a while there, watching the happy kids and happy adults riding the carousel, while lovely-cheesy old-timey music played, and I just felt thoroughly happy. I wish you could have been there.
I stayed a while there, watching the happy kids and happy adults riding the carousel, while lovely-cheesy old-timey music played, and I just felt thoroughly happy. I wish you could have been there.
Written May 12, 2018
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.
Kristen B
paris19 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
The fact that I had to pay an additional $3 to stand next to my not even two year old while she rode this is ridiculous. Trump is netting nearly a $90k per month profit on this thing already.
That said, it's a great carousel. Authentic and pretty. Although we spent five years in France where the carousels are much better (and you can stand next to your kid without paying).
That said, it's a great carousel. Authentic and pretty. Although we spent five years in France where the carousels are much better (and you can stand next to your kid without paying).
Written January 1, 2017
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.
DBW0411
Leawood, KS155 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Although we have been to Central Park many times, we had never taken time to go to the carousel. It will now be on the itinerary for every trip. 5 minutes of great fun for $3.00!
The horses are gorgeous. Over 100 years old and immaculately maintained. Highly recommend for kids young or old.
The horses are gorgeous. Over 100 years old and immaculately maintained. Highly recommend for kids young or old.
Written December 25, 2016
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.
Good question. I would call it oompa music but they could be disguised waltzes.
Written October 8, 2015
According to NYCTourist, the carousel is open daily from April until October from 10am to 6pm, weather permitting. If it is raining, it likely won't be open, so get info from the telephone number below before making the trip on a poor day. Between November and March, opening days and times vary depending on seasonal circumstances.
You can get more info by calling 212.439.6900 Ext. 12 - please note the number is not toll free, and you might be charged long distance.
Written August 5, 2015
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing