Central Park Carousel

Disappointed that i had to pay for my 1 year old to ride on the carousel! Of course i’ll pay for my self but they shouldn’t charge for kids 2 and under because there is no way a child that small could go on their own. Not a happy camper.

Central Park (mid-​park at 64^th Street)
Hours: April-​October: 10am-​6pm daily. November-​March: 10am-4:30pm weekends. (Hours are weather permitting.)
Price: $ 3 per ride (cash only)
212−439−6900 x4
This classic carousel is one of Central Park’s most popular attractions. This large merry-​go-​round is actually a vintage carousel that was found in an abandoned old trolley terminal in Coney Island. It’s one of the largest carousels in the United States and represents an excellent example of American folk art. This historical merry-​go-​round has 57 almost life-​size horses to choose from. Once aboard, the horses run laps to vintage organ music. As far as carousels go, this one is surprisingly fast, and for this reason one of my daughter’s favorites. We rarely go on it only once. This carousel is actually Central Park’s 4^th. It is said that the original carousel had a live mule or a horse, hidden beneath the Carousel platform. The animals were trained to begin walking and halt when the conductor tapped the floor.
For a list of all our favorite carousels check out:

I will first start by saying Melissa Goldberg, Director of Concessions Compliance is an exceptional employee. Unfortunately the General Manager called me with a hollow apology… he apologized with and quickly followed with reminding me about their policy regarding children under 5 (which was not the reason I complained). The following is the incident.
— On Thursday April 28^th at 3:15 PM I took my nephew to ride the carousel. The young lady at the booth was very rude (I assume it had been a long day). Once I got the tickets from her I was not in the great mood I was when I initially arrived there. When I arrived at the entrance I asked the women in front of me if that was the entrance (it was) and their response was no. I was so frustrated I told them «that idiot gave me the wrong information». I am in no way saying I was right but I was frustrated.

— She overheard from the booth and stormed out and yelled at me in front of everyone and yelled «Mam I am not an idiot etc. etc.» I responded and said you’re not but you are rude and have an attitude. I than went and waited on line with my 4 year old nephew who was excited to get on the horse.
— When it was time to get the ride she popped out of nowhere and took my tickets and ripped them in front of my 4 nephew who started saying «why doesn’t the lady want me to ride the horse». While she ripped them she said people can’t say what the feel like.
— I asked for a manager she said there wasn’t one.
— Manager finally shows up and tells me I have to understand she’s upset (who’s the customer).
— After a lengthy conversation with manager who never apologized for employee I was told I could go on and to get on line and pay which I said you want me to get on line again… so he took my money so we went and waited again.
The carousal attracts children so people who are working around them should understand what a child feels when they’re made to wait for a ride than have it taken away from them. The manager did not apologize for his employee’s rude behavior.

This is one of my favorite spots in Central Park. the Carousel is ornate and magical. :) The workers were kind and let us squeeze right in considering it was the last ride of the night.

Mister baby loves carousels and Central Park’s is his favorite so far. With ornate carvings, beautiful horses that go up and down and stable ones alike, it’s a sweet ride. Life can be cray, but really… what else matters when you’re with your joyful kid in a carousel in beautiful Central Park?! (End. Sap. Here.)
The ride is 3 bones. Fork it up. I went on a Friday afternoon and waited 30 seconds to hop on. You are also able to leave your stroller in the gated area so you can ride with ease!

Great for children and sometimes adults! It’s a beautiful carousel. Very colorful and fun! Rides will set you back a few dollars. It’s not free! Souvenirs and tourist stands abound in the area. Enjoy if you are young at heart!

Pretty cool piece of park history.
This place is pretty run down though.
I can at least say the family rode this once.

Nice

nice walking area, very good when the weather is nice. very relaxing.

Most of the Horses were out of order. Charged $ 3 per person even if not riding, rip off.

Love this carousel it brings me back when the 1990’s where great and cool to be a kid again.

Horribly unreliable — they open and close at inconsistent times, they don’t post them online and their information phone number appears to be disconnected. If you have children young enough to be less than philosophical about unexpectedly closed carousels, then you’ll be much better off taking them to the far more reliable Le Carousel at Bryant Park.

I would give 0 stars if I could.
I had to wait several months to be even able to write what happened to us in Central Park Carousel. First I need to tell you that my 4 year old LOVED carousels since he was 18 m old. But since CP carousel experience he won’t go to any Marry Go Around anymore — at all.
Before the review I would like to note that We have enjoyed many differnet carousels including one in Bryant Park, Coney Island, Bronx Zoo’s several in San Francisco Bay area, Heampsted in London, Paris, Italy etc. With pure joy.
Because of our experaince in CP we are still suffering traumatizing consequences.
To begin with this review, CP is the ONLY carousel that I have been to, that charges the full riding fee for standing adult. (not fair to people with small children)
The person who works there appears as someone who is running some sort of camp, rather that someone who should be in charged for children safety. Totally unpleasant.
And this is exactly what happened to us there: my son was absolutely unsafe and endangered.
CP Carousel is placed in the indoor area. There are two open doorways next to each other (one entrance, one exit) The doorway area is cramped with parents eager to take a glimpse or photo of their children when they pass by (understandably). There is a «gate-​bar» at the doorways, an obstacle for the adults to come in the indoor area once they place their children on the designated spot.
Prior to that day my son rode without my assistance or immediate presence for more than a year before the incident. However, he enjoyed being able to see me in the crowd.
Since the entire doorway makes only one tiny spot of the carousel’s home where adult could stand, my son got scared when he couldn’t see me at once,(carousel ran pretty fast) with many of us in scanty area at the doorway.
He started to cry. I tried to get grumpy– employee’s attention and to point to him that my son became very scared. The grampy employee told me that «I had to wait it out, until the carousel ran its course. Its a policy! „
Astonished about the „flexibility“ within the policy, that I needed to wait, in-​spite of my terrified child on the carrousel, — I still didn’t loose my cool, hence I tried to let „The employee „know that it would be much helpful if my son could at least see me better. That too „was against their policy to enable such a thing until the ride is over“. Noticing that the fear at my sons face were escalating I told the employee that „I had made a mistake of letting my son ride alone, but that given the sate of his panic, I would need to take him off immidetly, and that its not SAFE for him to continue, a.k.a us waiting till the end“, The man kept telling me off to wait, emphasizing „the policy“. No empathy, no even attempting to locate my son, and see with his own eyes what I was talking about.
And than my biggest fear came through: with the eyes of terror I spotted my son freeing himself somehow from the stripes and STANDING on the horse– trying to figure out how to get himself out of it, while the carousel was still moving. He was screaming in fear and terror.
I too screamed and pointed to my son’s direction — and ONLY THAN the employee took the notice of him, went there and gott him out off the carrousel– without stopping the ride (The carussel ride ran its course as nothing had happend.)
Both my son and I were treumatazied by the experience. I was happy that my son was finally safe in my arms. Off course, naturally and very motherly I felt guilty. I thought how „I shouldn’t entrusted my beloved son’s safety to the rude, atrocious man and to the absurd policy“ ‚“ It was all my fault“ ‚“ I should have been next to him»,. I shouldn’t let him ride at all”. I went back and fwd.
The Bottom line is: None of this would have happened if the employee was even for a tiny bit paying attention to what I was saying, when I was trying to (friendly) warn him that my son was getting very scared. Instead he was shushing me and ordering me to wait. And it became much worse.
I am not mad that my son got scared. I am mad how the situation was handled once that happened, and after I (literally) begged them to do something about that. I wasn’t heard out nor taken seriously. This wasn’t our first nor our only ride on this carousel. But its going to be the last.
Its a shame as it would be lovely to be able to proudly enjoy NYC /​CP staple, instead of feeling afraid and ashamed of it.

Yes, I am a fan. The carousel costs $ 3.00 which is a great price in NYC. Unfortunately it was a quiet ride, but the history and authenticity of the carousel is great. Most people will miss the plaque on the metal pole near the entrance that describes the history. And although the carousel can seat maybe 50 people, there were no more than 12 when we rode. The carousel lasts for about 5 minutes at most and then the next group takes their turn. Cash only!

This merry-​go-​round reminds me of the Little Golden Books stories. I like this merry-​go-​round, because listening to a waltz, such as «Over the Waves», makes me want to go on this. I could imagine this merry-​go-​round being in a carnival filled with other rides, such as a Ferris wheel.

Great, old carousel that’s fun even as an adult! Worth going to see and it’s not badly priced. The clowns on it do weird me out, but then, I’m terrified of clowns! It also lasts a bit longer than the normal, carnival carousels do.

LOVED it. $ 3 per person per ride was totally worth it. As a couple of adults wandering Central Park, we had a great time on the carousel. You don’t need kids to have a good time. There are horses to ride (even adults can ride them) and there are 2 chariots that seat a bunch of people for those who don’t want to sit on a horse.
The carousel lasts a while and it moves fast, faster that I expected! We were there on a beautiful October Sunday when the park was busy, but we still walked up and got straight on the carousel.
Great for kids, great for adults…
iPhone users: You can do a panoramic photo by sitting still and pointing your camera toward the center or the outside. No need to move, because the carousel does all the work (if sitting in the Chariot). Fun!

So much fun! Brings me right back to my childhood when my parents used to bring us to the carnival.
I don’t know if it’s just me. or did this go pretty fast? Lol

So sweet and a New York must-​do. I nearly fell over when I saw the price… Only $ 3?! Nice! I love riding or walking by and hearing the music. Took some first-​timers here this weekend with my exchange student and everyone loved it. Just wish it wasn’t another place that makes you pose for a souvenir photo; that detracts from the charm.

How can anyone hate on the Central Park Carousel? Granted, it has some creepy clowns on it, but it’s an antique that has been restored to it’s younger glory days. The horses are a cornucopia of colors and look terrific on a bright sunny day. The restoration of this vintage carousel is terrific and is another gem found in Central Park.
It is a reminder of simpler times way before computers, cell phones, and Play Stations. As kids we all rode on one at least once. It still brings out the inner child in us when we see it. Many times during the summer season there are events going on around this part of the park along with birthday parties and such. Benches are close by to chill out on with an ice cream or cotton candy from the stands nearby.
Just don’t take multiple rides when drunk. This thing goes round and round, and up and down, over and over. Bleech!
$ 2 for a 3 and a half minute ride
Open daily April-​November, 10:00am-6:00pm, weather permitting
Open weekends November-​April 10:00am-4:30pm, weather permitting