Take a Spin on the Most Beautiful, Hand-Crafted Carousels in the Nation

The oldest carousel in America in continuous public operation is located in the village of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Named the Flying Horse, it provided its first ride way back in 1876. The 20 horses on the carousel are not actually attached to the floor but suspended from a center frame, which gives the appearance that the horses are flying. Many of the manes and tails are still made out of real horsehair. Unfortunately, due to the fragility of the carousel, only children are allowed to ride. 

Built in 1905 and moved to Burlington in 1928, the Kit Carson County Carousel was the sixth carousel constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and is its only surviving "menagerie" (meaning it included animals other than horses). At the time it was one of the country's fastest carousels, with speeds of 12 miles an hour.

Today, it is the only remaining antique wooden carousel in America with original paint on both the scenery panels and animals. In 1987, the carousel was designated a National Historic Landmark.  

The Arkansas Carousel at the Little Rock Zoo is the only fully operational carousel of its kind left in the world. It's known as an "Over-The-Jumps" carousel due to the up-and-down movement of the track, which gives the rider the sensation of going over hills. Only four were ever constructed.

Despite its placement on the National Register for Historic Places in 1991, the carousel faced threats of dismantlement until the community and local leaders stepped in and bought it. Sixteen years and a $500,000 restoration later, the carousel made its debut at the Little Rock Zoo. 

Despite its simple name, the Jane's Carousel is anything but. Located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges on the shore of the East River, the carousel sits in a $9-million transparent acrylic jewel box designed by award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. The carousel itself was originally made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922, and took artist Jane Walentas 20 years to restore. 

While it may not be as historic as some of the others on the list, this carousel is notable for having been hand-carved completely by volunteers from the community of Missoula. Running since 1995, it includes 38 ponies, 14 gargoyles and the largest band organ still in continuous operation in the United States. As Largent put it, "they are not going to let go of this carousel for generations." 

This 1921 Dentzel carousel, located in Glen Echo Park, is the only carousel owned by the National Parks Service. Known as a "menagerie carousel" for its assortment of animals, it's now in its 95th season of bringing delight to young and old alike. The restoration, done by Rosa Patton, took 20 years, but Largent says it was worth it. She calls the carousel a "must-see" and "the best of the best."

One of only two racing carousels left in the country, Cedar Downs has been running at Cedar Point Amusement Park since 1920. The ride was originally constructed for Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland before being sold in the 1960s to Cedar Point, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the country. The 64 horses and 93-foot-track were restored to their original condition in 1980. 

The Flying Horses Carousel on Martha's Vineyard is the oldest operating platform carousel in the country, and has been giving rides since 1876. Operating originally on Coney Island, it was moved to its present home in Oak Bluffs in 1884. The carousel was originally steam-powered before being converted to electricity in 1900. It's known for its "lucky" brass rings, which riders try to grab as the carousel rotates (rumor has it that doing so might get you a free ride).