Balboa Park Carousel

Circle back to the past and ride the historic Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel, celebrating its 102nd anniversary in 2024! Built in New York in 1910, this menagerie model merry-go-round was shipped to Los Angeles, and then displayed at a summer resort called Tent City in Coronado before arriving in Balboa Park in 1922. A century later, the carousel continues to bring joy to kids of all ages.

The classic carousel is still powered by the original General Electric motor that was installed in 1910 when the carousel was built. Fifty-two hand-carved animals are mounted on a two-level platform, and include 12 jumping horses, 15 standing horses and 25 menagerie animals (a camel, two cats, a deer, two dogs, one dragon, two frogs, two giraffes, one goat, one lion, two mules, two ostriches, two pigs, two roosters, one stork, one tiger, two zebras). Four chariots round out the fun.

To keep the landmark looking its best, carousel restoration volunteers strip and repaint the animals with historically accurate colors. All have fanciful designs, including the frogs, the only pair of animals to wear clothes: tuxedos (one red, one yellow), starched white shirt fronts and bow ties. Another fun fact: Reindeer antlers and horse tails are real!

The paintings on the center panels — known as the “crown” of the carousel — are also original, as are the outer rounding boards and the joyful military band organ that plays paper rolls like a player piano. Not to be missed is a chance to play the carousel’s famous brass ring game, one of just 12 remaining in North America. Riders try their luck at grabbing a brass ring from a holder as they glide past to earn a free ride. For better odds, choose an animal on the outside platform; the taller the animal, the easier.

Rides, set by an old-fashioned egg timer, last 5 minutes, with a top speed on the outside ring of 13 miles per hour. Regular cost for tickets is $4 per ride or four rides for $14. Tickets are available for purchase at the carousel ticket booth.  For special event and filming inquiries email carousel@balboapark.org or call (619) 232-2282.

In 2017, Forever Balboa Park purchased the iconic carousel. As its new owner and operator, they ensure that it remains a historic park landmark. Take a spin and make new memories on this treasured attraction. Open daily, 11AM-5:30PM. The Balboa Park Carousel is located at 1889 Zoo Place. Check in and Learn more at balboaparkcarousel.org.