There are few things in a child’s life that carry the unique joy of a carousel. The music, the rising and falling of the horses, the way the world blurs slightly as you spin. It is one of the oldest and most universally beloved forms of amusement, and this region has some of the finest examples in the entire country.
Here’s your guide to the best carousels within reach of the Finger Lakes, from a simple village merry-go-round to one of the most extraordinary concentrations of antique carousels anywhere in the world.
Binghamton: The Carousel Capital
Greater Binghamton has six antique merry-go-rounds installed in tri-city parks, all free to ride. There are fewer than 150 antique carousels in all of North America, and the Binghamton area has six of them. All are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The carousels were donated by industrialist George F. Johnson of the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company, who made them free for all eternity as a benefit for his employees and their families. More than 80 years later, they are still free. Here are the standouts:
Recreation Park Carousel 58-78 Beethoven Street, Binghamton
This is the one to visit first. Installed in 1925, the Recreation Park Carousel features 60 jumping horses and the original 2-roll frame Wurlitzer Military Band Organ with drums, pipes, cymbals, and bells, which was recently restored rather than replaced. The beautiful paintings on this carousel are full of specific imagery: children building sandcastles, a knight fighting a two-headed dragon. Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone and one of Binghamton’s most famous sons, spent his boyhood here, and the carousel eventually inspired an episode of his show. There is a Rod Serling memorial plaque on the grounds.
C. Fred Johnson Park Carousel Johnson City, NY
The largest and most ornate of the collection, installed in 1923, with 72 figures, four wide, elaborate carvings, original scenic panels and beveled mirrors, housed in a pagoda-style pavilion two stories high with a handsome cupola. This is the one for the photos.
Ross Park Carousel Binghamton Zoo, Binghamton
Adjacent to the Binghamton Zoo, the Ross Park Carousel has been part of the park since at least 1897. The zoo placement means kids can pair a carousel ride with a visit to the animals for an easy full morning.
Highland Park, George W. Johnson Park, and West Endicott Park round out the complete circuit. If you ride all six, the park employees at the last carousel will give you a pin indicating that you are a Carousel Master.
The carousels run Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. Call the City of Binghamton Parks Department ahead of your visit to confirm hours.
Emerson Park Carousel at Owasco Lake
6914 East Lake Road, Auburn
The historic carousel at Emerson Park on the northern shore of Owasco Lake has been delighting Cayuga County families for generations. Set inside a beautiful lakefront park with a beach, playground, and picnic areas, a summer afternoon at Emerson Park with a carousel ride included is one of the most complete and affordable family outings in the region.
The Strong National Museum of Play Carousel
1 Manhattan Square Dr., Rochester
The carousel inside The Strong in Rochester is one of the few indoor carousels available and one of the most whimsical in the region. For families visiting The Strong for the day, the carousel adds a genuinely storybook moment to an already extraordinary family destination. It spins inside a museum devoted entirely to play, which is about as appropriate a setting as any carousel has ever had.
Stewart Park Carousel at Cayuga Lake
1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca
The restored carousel at Stewart Park in Ithaca, right on the edge of Cayuga Lake, is one of the most scenic carousel settings in the entire Finger Lakes. After a spin, families can walk directly to the lake, the splash pad, or the restored boathouse for a full park day. The Stewart Park Carousel has been part of Ithaca’s summer landscape for over a century.
The Carousel Pro-Tip
Most antique carousels in the region run seasonally, typically Memorial Day through Labor Day, and are weather dependent. Always call ahead or check the parks department’s social media on borderline weather days before making a special trip. And the carousel master pin in Binghamton is a real thing that real children really want. Plan accordingly. 🎠