Round and around and around they go — is there anything better than a whirl around a merry go round? Luckily for Cincy kids, there are lots of local carousels! Here is a roundup of the best carousels in Cincinnati, and a few out-of-town merry-go-rounds, too.
Make this summer a little more fun with our Cincinnati Carousel Bucket List!
Carol Ann’s Carousel (pictured)
Built in Mansfield, OH, the carousel is comprised of 44 whimsical Cincinnati characters, like a flying pig (Porkopolis! And the eponymous marathon) and queen bee (for the Queen City).
Kings Island
Kings Island has two carousels: the Grand Carousel and Character Carousel. The Grand Carousel was originally purchased by Coney Island in 1926, and was one of the first rides King’s Island bought for its grand opening in 1972.
KI also offers a carousel for the kids in the Planet Snoopy children’s area: the Character Carousel is sure to be a hit with smaller kids!
Coney Island
Did you know Coney Island is the fifth oldest amusement park in the United States? Its B&B Carousel was first built in 1906, and is a piece of the past for Cincy kids (and parents!) to enjoy each summer.
Cincinnati Zoo
One of the hidden gems in the Cincinnati Zoo, the Conservation Carousel features all your kids’ favorite Zoo animals: giraffe, gorilla, rhino and cheetah! (Tip: Get a Gold Pass at the Zoo, and enjoy unlimited carousel – and train – rides!)
Carillon Historical Park
The Carousel of Dayton Innovation is a celebration of all things Dayton. This carousel features 31 figures and a 38 foot hand-painted mural illustrating the turn of events in the Wright brothers’ flying experiments. Hand-carved figures depict various Dayton icons (Orville Wright’s dog, Esther Price candies, soap box derby car), much like Carol Ann’s showcases iconic Cincy figures.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The indoor carousel at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is iconic. Carousel Wishes and Dreams features intricately painted Carousel animals that were salvaged from the original ride that operated in Broad Ripple Park in Indianapolis in the early 20th century.