Central Park Carousel

The basics

Whether you want to hop onto a brightly painted horse or not, the carousel is worth seeing as a fine example of American folk art. Travelers typically visit the carousel while independently exploring Central Park, but there are many ways to tour the 840-acre (340-hectare) park with a guide. Walking, bicycle, e-scooter, pedicab, and horse-drawn carriage tours are popular ways of experiencing the park. Some of these may pass the carousel for a quick look.

Things to know before you go

• You’ll need cash to pay for your ride at the ticket booth.
• If you’re going with a big group, the park offers ticket packages.
• There’s a seating area beside the carousel if some of your party would prefer to sit and watch.

How to get there

The carousel is at the southern end of Central Park, beside East 65th Street, which runs through the park. However, you’re not allowed to drive into the park, so if you have your own car, you’ll need to park it nearby and walk there. You can also take the subway to 59th Street–Columbus Circle (1, A, B, C, and D trains) or 5th Avenue–59th Street (N, R, and W trains) and find your way to the carousel along the footpaths.

When to get there

The carousel operates every day, weather permitting, from late morning until evening, with shorter hours in the winter. It’s under cover in a brick structure, so riders won’t be exposed to the weather, but it still often closes due to rain. You don’t always need to line up for long, but on a busy day in the summer, when lots of kids are around, the carousel will be busy.

All-ages fun at Central Park

Central Park is always popular for family outings, with plenty of favorite spots for kids. There are 21 distinctive playgrounds, including several you can walk to from the carousel, as well as a marionette theater and the Central Park Zoo. Pack a picnic—or head to one of the food vendors or cafés—and make a day of it.