In the summer of 2017, the Historic Carousel & Museum of Albany opened to the world—bringing old-school fun and fantastical creatures to life for kids of all ages.
Today, you can ride the carousel, peruse a small museum that explains its fascinating history, and even see artists and carvers working on the carousel's next additions. Here’s what to know about visiting the beloved Historic Carousel & Museum in the heart of downtown Albany—along with a few ideas for making the most of your time in town.
More than 40 animals and fantastic creatures enchant riders on Albany’s carousel—including a playful orca named Geno, several horses and ponies, a seven-foot-tall giraffe, unicorns, and dragons. When all pieces are completed, the carousel plans to have 52 animals and creatures occupying all three rows of its marquee attraction.
All those animals and critters—each brimming with detailed craftsmanship—were hand-carved and adorned with oil paints by local volunteers. It can take up to one year to paint each animal, with another six months allotted for each to fully dry.
Some of the animals were even designed to resemble local pets and furry friends of the carvers and sponsors who donated money for the creation of the animals. Saami, for instance, is a brown Lapland reindeer that was chosen to pay tribute to the sponsor family's Scandinavian heritage. And Shadow Catcher, a grey cat, makes an appearance every autumn; the pet sports a saddle blanket that's decorated with images of Halloween costumes that the sponsor crafted for her children.
Those animals reside on a merry-go-round that uses a 1909 mechanism crafted by the Dentzel Carousel Company, which was founded in the 1800s by Gustav Dentzel. When Gustav's great-grandson Bill heard about the effort to bring a historic carousel to downtown Albany, he donated the antique mechanism that would eventually become the attraction’s centerpiece.
From there, it took workers more than a decade to restore the mechanism so it could once again welcome riders. That painstaking work entailed restoring mirror panels, motors, wooden gear teeth, and other items. To complete the whimsical feel, an old-school organ pipes in fun, upbeat music while the carousel spins.
Away from the carousel itself, you can see historic artifacts and the next generation of animals and mythological creatures as they’re being carved, painted, and displayed. Here’s a breakdown of how you can spend your time at the carousel:
Historic Museum: An on-site museum showcases antique animals donated by the Dentzel family—and educational panels that explore the Dentzel family history.
Craving Station: Head downstairs to see whether any carvers are working on the next creatures—and if not, you’ll at least see the progress they’ve made on what’s to come. Feel free to ask for a tour; volunteers are happy to oblige if staffing and scheduling allows.
On-Site Gift Shop: Support the carousel by purchasing souvenirs, themed items, and locally made trinkets.
Café: Feeling peckish? Grab popcorn, hot dogs, soda, and other snacks at an on-site eatery.
There’s always something new and exciting happening, so check the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum events calendar for upcoming special events.
The fun might include a tea party where kiddos are invited to dress in their best royal outfits, breakfast with Santa Claus during the holiday season, sleepovers for stuffed animals, and weekly happy hours every Wednesday (featuring discounted carousel tokens and drinks in the on-site café).
As part of its mission to welcome all riders, whether during Autism Acceptance Month in April or throughout the year, the Historic Carousel & Museum hosts monthly Sensory Friendly Mornings geared toward riders with autism or who have sensory sensitivities, as well as their families. Sensory-friendly rides are offered between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month; during that time, the carousel slows considerably, the organ music is turned off, and lights are dimmed.
The carousel and its surrounding building are both fully wheelchair-accessible. Elevators and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, push-button entry and automatic doors are available, and wheelchair users can ride the carousel without ever leaving their chair.
You'll find a handful of historic covered bridges near Albany, each dating back decades and providing regal glimpses of the area's past. Pair your road trip with a stop at local breweries, eateries, and attractions.
Not far from the museum, walk through historic districts that showcase Albany's earliest days, dine at restaurants that craft dishes with local ingredients, and go shopping in downtown Albany.
Get outside—and experience crystal-clear reservoirs, thundering waterfalls, quiet wildlife refuges, raging rapids, and more. Learn about outdoor adventures near Albany for summertime fun.
