Riding round and round on a sweetly painted horse that goes up and down while listening to the jaunty music of a carousel always brings a smile to my face, no matter how old I get. But riding a carousel with my kids, or watching them wave at me as they spin by, is just as fun. Carousels are hard to come by in Lake County, so we have a couple you can find nearby and others that are worth the trip if you get the chance.
Great America – Columbia Carousel
1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee | (847) 249-1776
My kids are always in awe of the giant reflection pond and the Columbia Carousel every time we walk through the gates at Great America. The Columbia is a two-story carousel with a variety of horses and other animals choose from. Of course, you have to pay for admittance into Six Flags Great America, but then you can enjoy the carousel as many times as you wish.
Lambs Farm Carousel
14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville | (847) 362-4636
Kids age one through 12 can ride the Lambs Farm Carousel for $2.00. Or, purchase a Child’s Day Pass for $12, and kids ages two through 12 can enjoy all of the farmyard attractions.
Stade’s Farm and Market Menagerie Carousel
3709 Miller Road, McHenry |(815) 675-6396
At the Stade’s Farmtractions Theme Park, you can ride the Menagerie Carousel and enjoy all the other attractions with your entry into the theme park. During the summer, children age 2 and younger are admitted FREE, and children ages three and older are admitted for $10. In the fall, children age two and younger are still admitted for FREE, but anyone age three through 64 are admitted for $15, and the cost for adults age 65 and older is $10.
Worth the Trip
Lincoln Park Zoo – Endangered Species Carousel
2001 N. Clark St., Chicago | (312) 742-2000
Take a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel, and then try to find examples of the real animals during your visit to the zoo. Tickets are $3 per rider, or a Value Ride Pass can be purchased for $12, good for five rides on the carousel or train.
Navy Pier – The Carousel
600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago |1-800 595-PIER (7437)
Children must be at least 42 inches tall to ride alone, or they need to be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets are $5.00 to ride one of the carousel’s 36, hand-painted animals. While you’re there, you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Navy Pier and perhaps venture onto another attraction at Navy Pier Park.
Ella’s Deli and Ice Cream Parlor
2902 East Washington Ave., Madison, WI | (608) 241-5291
Any time we know we are heading anywhere near Madison, we are sure to stop at Ella’s Deli. The food is amazing, the ice cream is our favorite, and the decorations and the carousel are not to be missed! From summer through fall, pay $1.00 and get a token to ride the carousel outside of the restaurant.
Did we miss your favorite carousel? Tell us where it is in the comments section.
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