Everybody loves a carousel, right? As you’re sitting astride one of those spectacularly ornate carved wooden horses, flying serpents, or other mythical creatures that rise and fall as the organ plays the Blue Danube Waltz, are you thinking about jousting matches between 12th century Turkish and Arabian warriors? Me, neither. But that’s how they started. A carousel was a style of battle games, especially centered around jousting. In one game, horsemen and their steeds in magnificent regalia faced off in circular patterns in palace courtyards, lobbing clay balls at each other. When a ball hit the opponent, it shattered, dousing him in perfume. The defeated horseman had to slink off for a scrub to get rid of the stink. In another medieval game, galloping knights attempted to spear a metal ring suspended from a cord.
Over the centuries, through the Renaissance and into the Gilded Age, those games inspired the carousels we know today, drenched in art, gold and jewels, with chariots, brass rings, and even chandeliers, arriving to America by the late 1800s.
So now you know!
Fewer than 300 early carousels still operate around the world. Many still have authentic Wurlitzer military band organs that use paper rolls. In addition, a new generation of wildly reimagined carousels is emerging, including the futuristic Constellation Carousel slated to open at Universal Orlando Resort next year. Here are a few standouts in Florida and the world.
Carousel du Jardin Pierre Goudouli
Toulouse, France
Why it’s cool: It’s soooo Rococo: pastel-decorated horses set against ornate gold, scrollwork, cherubs, and trompe l’oeil, set in a garden in the center of the ancient “pink city” on the banks of the River Garonne. toulouse-tourisme.com
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Walt Disney World, Orlando
Why it’s cool: Some say the prince had the spire-topped carousel built in the castle courtyard to practice his jousting skills. Look carefully among the white prancing steeds with their golden helmets and decorative shields. The one with the golden ribbon on its tail is Cinderella’s personal horse. disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom
Wildlife Carousel
Jacksonville Zoo
Why it’s cool: Only kids 12 and younger get to ride the wonderful tiger, giraffe, eagle, leopard, or one of the other wild creatures in this menagerie carousel. Adults may ride while accompanying their little ones. It’s an add-on to zoo admission. jacksonvillezoo.org
Carousel in Morgan Wonderland
San Antonio, TX
Why it’s cool: It’s so accessible! Wheelchair-friendly chariots, no bright lights or sudden movements, and, best of all, a stationary horse near the entrance for special needs guests to touch, sit on, and hug to relieve anxiety before going inside. morganswonderland.org/attraction/carousel
Carousel Capital of the World
Binghamton NY
Why they’re cool: A prosperous businessman who grew up poor in the late 1800s never forgot his magical moment of childhood: riding a carousel horse. To share the magic, he created six city parks, all with carousels, stipulating that they remain free forever. This small central New York town calls itself the Carousel Capital of the World. visitbinghamton.org/things-to-do/carousels
Endangered Species Carousel
West Orange, NJ
Why it’s cool: The closest thing to a horse is the zebra in this menagerie carousel inside a classic carousel house with mosaic floors and stained-glass windows. Hop astride a shark, gator, tiger, or one of the 30 other creatures. turtlebackzoo.com
House on the Rock
Spring Green, WI
Why it’s cool: It has a whopping 269 hand-carved animals, 182 chandeliers, and 20,000 lights. This one is to gawk at but not ride. The astounding carousel, one hour from Madison, is one of many ooh-and-ahh worthy mechanical displays in this privately owned resort attraction. Kind of like Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory without the sweets. thehouseontherock.com
Cedar Downs Racing Derby Carousel
Sandusky, OH
Why it’s cool: It’s one of only two racing carousels in America! 64 racing steeds move forward and fall back, sometimes neck and neck, just like a racetrack. It’s always a photo finish! cedarpoint.com/rides-experiences/cedar-downs-racing-derby
Carrousel des Mondes Marins
Nantes, France
Why it’s cool: Appropriately near the Jules Verne Museum, Carousel of the Marine Worlds is an undersea universe as wild as a Steven Spielberg set. This see-to-believe reimagined carousel has fantastical creatures of the deep on the three levels: the Surface, the Seabeds, and the Abyss. lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/discover/the-carrousel-des-mondes-marins
Glen Echo Carousel
Glen Echo, MD
Why it’s cool: In 1961, 13 Howard University students made civil rights history by leading protests at the carousel, effectively ending segregation in the park, two full years before the Smithsonian Carousel’s desegregation during the March on Washington. This century-old menagerie carousel has 40 horses, four rabbits, four ostriches, a giraffe, a deer, a lion, and a tiger. glenechopark.org/carousel
The Flying Horses Carousel
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
If you yearn to be part of carousel history, you can buy a chance to have your name on the last un-named chariot on the oldest carousel in America. Built in 1876 for Coney Island, it has all the feels: hand-carved horses, chariots, and an authentic brass ring. The drawing is October 12. vineyardtrust.org
And, finally, To Infinity and Beyond!
The Constellation Carousel
Orlando, FL
This will be the centerpiece of Celestial Park in the soon-to-open Universal Epic Universe. The park promises “a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.” I can’t wait! universalorlando.com