Central Park Carousel

Nestled in Central Park near East 65th Street, the Central Park Carousel—officially the Michael Friedsam Memorial Carousel—is one of New York City’s most beloved and historic attractions. The current carousel, installed in 1951, is a masterpiece of American folk art crafted in 1908 by Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein. It features 57 hand-carved and painted horses, two ornate chariots, and a mechanical organ that fills the air with nostalgic music as the horses “gallop” in circles.

This is the fourth carousel to operate on the site since 1871, when the original was powered by a hidden mule beneath the platform. Over the decades, earlier versions were lost to fire, but the present carousel—relocated from a Coney Island trolley terminal—has become a cherished landmark for generations of New Yorkers and visitors alike. Its enduring popularity is reflected in its appearance in literature, most famously in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, and in the joyful memories of countless children and families.