I spent most of my youth growing up in Bristol and I think I only went to the Carousel Museum one time. Now, as a grown adult who lives thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, it was time to revisit this place on a recent trip back to the nutmeg state. My wife and I ended up coming here on a Wednesday morning because we collect museum magnets and we figured Bristol was a fun little spot to grab one of these. The building itself is insanely beautiful and gave me some wild flashbacks. From the moment we walked into this place to the second we left we are surrounded by hundreds of beautiful vintage carousels from the 1800's up to more recent times. On top of having the carousel's themselves they had binders with info on everything so you could absolutely learn every possibly detail about these things and that's so cool. On top of the carousels, they had a big section dedicated to Lake Compounce which is where I practically lived as a kid. It was super interesting to see photos from the original park, old photos of the Wildcat Coaster from back in the day, and a ton of old photos and memorabilia from old rides and the park itself. Are we done? No, they also had a fire museum upstairs and even though it's not something that really interests me, it was still a cool little bonus at the end of our tour. Overall, The Carousel Museum is such a cool spot and definitely somewhere everyone in Connecticut should go to at least once. It was really cool getting to see some of the same pieces I saw as a little kid 30+ years later. This was a wonderful time. read more

The Carousel Museum - This was my favourite piece. - Museums Near Me - Bristol, Connecticut

I had the best time at the Carousel Museum! Prices are a little steep but once you see everything they have to offer you can see it's worth it and totally necessary to keep them running! I originally went because I thought my toddler would love it honestly I think we all had an equal amount of fun and enjoyment here! Two floors of beautifully constructed animals and cool history of them all. My daughter loved the carousel ride and probably could've gone around on it for hours if we let her. She also loved the puppet show area with books and dress up items. Second floor was absolutely beautiful and a firehouse museum was on it which my husband enjoyed. Everything was super accessible. My mid 80s grandmother had a blast and everything was flat, walkable and had elevator access. People working are dedicated and passionate about this museum. I've been recommending it to everyone! read more

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Excellent museum, worth your time. There are many carousel horses and figures. Arranged by production region some quite old and some fairly new. There is also a restoration area on view. There is a small section that is a Greek history museum. Additionally a firefighting museum with an impressive collection of equipment, many from local fire stations. All of the staff greeted us. They have a banquet room where they host parties and weddings. Lots for children to do. Also, there is a small gift shop. Across the street is an impressive mural featuring Martin Luther King. read more

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So we are having our wedding here, the process was the most amazing process ever. Samantha is amazing. I asked for info via email, the next day she reached out and we set up a tour. My partner and I are looking forward to the actual event. The museum is also gorgeous and happy to see all of this history being looked after read more

Attended a child's 2nd birthday at the museum. The party was a lot of fun. The kids got to enjoy crafts, stage play, and see the different characters from a variety of previously used carousels. Both adults and children were able to enjoy carousel rides. The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout the duration of the party. read more

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This museum is positively magical - the first look into the main room is priceless because it's so beautiful. I suspect the staff gets a kick out of it too. There first floor is full of carousel horses and other assorted animals, a kids room area, and a real, working carousel with a working calliope in the same room. Why they put the calliope next to the horse labeled as haunted, I can't tell you but I would assume it's not caused any difficulties. Each horse is beautiful, and you could spend hours there just studying their individual designs. Upstairs has a ballroom, fire museum, Hellenic museum, and restoration room. It is a place with something for everyone - the carousel lion in the Greek ruins helps tie things perfectly together :-) read more

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"Riding along on a carousel, trying to catch up to you Riding along on a carousel, will I catch up to you?" (The Hollies -On a Carousel) FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY !!!! Sometimes we tend to overlook the wonderful opportunities we have all around us. So listen carefully, if you live within a reasonable distance to Bristol, CT, and you haven't yet visited the New England Carousel Museum, you have really done a disservice to yourself and your family. The deluge of art and talent and color and beauty displayed in their carved carousel animals is simply amazing. I said animals instead of horses, because although you'll see dozens of gorgeous carousel horses, you'll also see some pretty extraordinarily representatives of other species from the animal kingdom. Wanna see a carousel elephant, lion, egret, bunny, pig, giraffe, camel, chicken, cow, deer, tiger, or giraffe? The NECM has got you covered, because you'll see them all here, and each one is more gorgeously decorated than the other. The museum has dedicated itself to "the acquisition, restoration, and preservation of operating carousels and carousel memorabilia and the creation of new carousel material, for the education and pleasure of the general public". They sure have done a great job. Their collection of over 100 carousel animals is nothing short of wonderful. Some of the animals are over 100 years old, and the museum will teach you about their history and the various carving techniques used to create these masterpieces. Of course they have a carousel for you to ride on. Your ride is free with the very modest $8 admission fee. Upstairs, there is a big open space they rent out for weddings or special events. Also upstairs is a very cool Museum of Fire History with all sorts of fire station signaling equipment, alarms, bells, memorabilia and photos. They had a big 9/11 display with a flag that listed the names of the First Responders, and the iconic photo of three NYC firefighters raising the flag over the WTC rubble. What a photo....... We loved our visit, and if you haven't been there yet, go and correct that situation ASAP. read more

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I had such a fun time here! The staff was beyond friendly and had such a wealth of knowledge! I loved looking at all the 100+ horses and other animals they had. I liked earlier about the history, looking in the binders they had available about each horse or animal that had on view. My husband and I were a little too big to ride their kids' carousel but that's okay. It's just so beautiful to look at everything. The only downside (which is totally on me) is that I didn't have my wedding here... that would be have been amazing. I would HIGHLY recommend this place and considering I saw someone else's review who stated that they added a lot more things... I would check this place out again for sure. read more

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The Carousel Museum is absolutely charming. My husband and I were staying in Bristol and were looking for things to do, and happened upon the museum. What a wonderful place! The carousel animals are just beautiful and the entire space is gorgeous. The staff is beyond friendly and were so excited to share their extensive knowledge and enthusiasm. What a hidden gem! read more

I've been here twice, the first time with Bestie; the second, with Writer Friend. Each time was a thrill! Who knew that something as iconic as a carousel had such a rich history and so much variety! First, not all carousels are created equally, nor are the horses (or other animals) that race around (well, looking from the outside). The different styles, the poses, and the colors all have meanings, and each creator of the horses (and other animals) have different styles and hallmarks that set the apart from the others. Skill and craftmanship are all excellent, and once you've learned the differences, you can pretty much tell at a glance when and where each horse was made, and by whom. The space is huge, with many different types of exhibits, including a mockup of a workshop and a progression of styles. In the back, is a fully-functioning carousel that you can ride, accompanied by an original Orchestrion (there are several others on display, but not all are functioning). Something unique is the QR codes on many of the displays that lead to a recorded speech--a boon to the sight-impaired or if you want more information about the exhibit (Thanks to the Bristol Lions Club and CRIS Radio for creating these!) The museum also boasts a banquet room that you can book for parties or dinners. Imagine dancing with all those painted beauties! This is a place that appeals to children of all ages, and the exhibits always change, so it's never the same place twice. HIGHLY recommended!!!! read more

This museum was far more interesting than I expected. It was interesting to learn the history of the carousel and learn how they were made. There is so much to see here and so many unexpected items. Upstairs is the Firehouse Museum which is equally interesting and included in your museum admission. Did you know there is an upstairs banquet room available for large parties or weddings? Today they were prepared for a party of 250 people and the set up was beautiful. Your $6 admission price includes a free ride on the small indoor carousel. read more

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I Recently attended a "museum after dark" series, presented with details about the Carousel at Lake Compounce. I was VERY impressed by the collection at the carousel museum. From exquisite examples of early decorated wooden horses to the newer examples of fiberglass-cast creatures of the Jeff Briggs Greenway Carousel samples. The museum also has part of the collection some of the "cast" and "mold" samples showing how modern day resin or fiber glass carousel figures can be created. The upstairs of the carousel museum is home to a gorgeous event hall, with lush window light and deep historic wood floors. A beautiful place for an event surrounded by history and wonder. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. They explained some of the detailed painting and the restorative process that takes place at the museum. read more

This museum is truly remarkable. You will never see a collection like this anywhere else. Not only is it beautiful, but the curators did a great job telling a story about the history of each individual piece and the history of carousels in general. This museum is well suited for adults and kids, which I think is a winning combination. The museum even has a real, functioning carousel in it! Interestingly - and a little strangely - the Carousel Museum also houses the Museum of Fire History. Although it is much smaller than the carousel part of the space, there are some very interesting fire department and firehouse memorabilia on display, including real ladders. At $6/adult admission, I think this spot is a great bang for your buck and a hidden gem. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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I was looking for something to do locally with my kids and found this on a groupon for a really good price. It was well worth it and I didn't realize there was so much to know about carousel and the original use of them is so interesting. They had tons of pieces and my favorite part was seeing how they were originally put together and painted. Who knew!! It was really neat to see all the variations and to think that it wasn't just horses! I'm telling you that you have to go here. They also have the fire museum upstairs and they opened up the area just for us to see. Also they have a small Greek museum as well. It was so fascinating and seeing the history of Bristol with original pictures. The entire experience was well worth it , I was really happy to share the history with my kids! read more

The Carousel Museum - Museums Near Me - Bristol, Connecticut

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Wife loved this place. The history, the colors, the craftsmanship, even the smell brings it all together. It is a really great place to visit. The Groupon price was amazing. Seeing all of the different sizes, types, and craftsmanship was incredible. Definitely worth the visit if you are in the area. Even get to ride one with the old time band playing as well. Worth the visit to see a part of history. read more

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Fun place to visit to learn more about carousels... great artistry went into the various carousel horses.... good to see at least once

Never knew about this place and what a delightful surprise.! There was so much artistry, beauty and history jam packed in this historic building with awesome wooden ceilings. Was even able to ride the carousel. A perfect place to bring children- with many activities for them. Also the second floor had a restoration room, a carving room and a small Fireman's museum!! The center of the large room can be rented out for parties.. I will go back there for sure... read more

This place was a surprisingly fun deviation from our usual routine. I was looking for something to do besides going out to eat and shopping. I thought about museums and historical sites. Little did I know that bestie would choose this gem! He kept it a surprise until we pulled into the parking lot. I had heard about this place but never thought of venturing a look. Upon entering inside I knew it would be an interesting place. It had a vintage feel to it. Elaine, who handles a lot of the events they have there, was our guide. She told us a little about the history and art of animal carousels . We were encouraged to browse and check out the main floor on our own. She did come in at various points and explained about a few of the collections of carousels and chariots and everything from the styles to artists and materials used. I never realized how much went into it. Before we got our guided tour of the upstairs, we were shown the room with the indoor merry go round. Elaine showed us the band organ with the different music scrolls and workings. However, it was a bit cold and the organ didn't want to cooperate. Given the age of it, it gets a little temperamental. Plus care must be taken to not damage it. We sat on the chariot on the carousel and was given a ride. I felt like a kid, transported to a carefree time. It also reminded me of why I don't go on many spinning rides nowadays. My head and body was still feeling it a few minutes afterwards. Once we were stable enough to walk again we were led upstairs. The upstairs was a more open space with some more carousel horses along one wall and the workshop was on the other side with some pieces they were repairing for a client. There was also another area that had the fire museum, and another small section for the Greek exhibit. High upon the cathedral type ceiling hung several beautiful chandeliers. This room is also used for various events. I would definitely recommend you check out this one of a kind experience. I definitely enjoyed it. read more

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What an exquisite gem! A plethora of antique carousel horses and all kinds of exotic animals fills the interior of this museum. The layout allows an up-close view and even a hands-on experience for some merry-go-round demo items. There is a working carousel, but beware the organ music if turned on is very loud and lengthy. The upstairs allows a peek at their artist's restoration workshop and a whole vintage firefighter's museum included with general admission. Staff were quite knowledgeable and it seems donors are generous with making the detailed exhibits abundant and wondrous to look at for hours. Great for all ages. They also host special events and wedding receptions! read more

What a jewel of a place in Bristol, on Riverside Ave. We went last saturday morning and the staff couldn't be more helpful and welcoming. They have added many new horses/animals to their display since I visited last. They even have a kids' sized carousel that works, music, lights and all! Kids must be seatbelted on the horses. The ride is wiped down by staff after the riders exit. Upstars is a nice display in their Fireman's museum. They do offer a room for kids' crafts and birthday parties. The 3 year old we took enjoyed the carosoul ride especially. read more

Lovely little museum. Worth a stop! They have a second museum on the top floor as well, the fire museum. Both worth spending some time at. Kids will absolutely appreciate it. Especially if they like carousels. read more

Gave did a great job on our tour. He was very patient with my 14 month old daughter, and he is very knowledgeable about the displays. So much fun learning about the craftsmanship that goes into the pieces, and fun to ride the carousel as well. I think it would be so fun to attend a tea party or birthday party here!!! read more

This is such a cool place that I got to check out by chance at a Yelp event, and I'm so happy it was held here, because unfortunately I don't think this would have been on my radar otherwise! This museum literally brings you back in time- to both your childhood and throughout the history of the carousel. It houses a range of ornate carousel animals (I had no idea there could be so many different ones) as well as a fully functional carousel that you won be judged for riding as an adult (let's face it, you'd probably get some looks at a fair or on the carousel in the mall- but anyone visiting this museum is going to understand). The staff were all incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The museum can be rented out for private functions and events and it's a beautiful building. The parking lot is small but there are other lots nearby if needed (probably only needed in the case of a big event, like the Yelp one). It was great to discover the existence of a beautiful museum dedicated to the history of the carousel, I will definitely be back! read more

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It is truly a beauty attendant a birthday party the kids loved it absolutely perfect, seating carousel music, clean, rides, fortune teller at the entrance for 50 cents doesn't really tell the fortune just for show but makes a great picture. read more

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I went to an event here last night and am glad I got to see this little museum and that I now know it exists and that you can rent it out for private parties. I'd definitely go back, it's such a happy place with a working carousel that you can ride indoors to take you back to your younger years. It's amazing to see the different animals and takes on them that have been used in carousels throughout the decades. Go check it out! read more

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Wow. Went to an event here last night and was blown away at how beautiful this place is! Would definitely have an event here in future. Looking for something different to do indoors? Check this place out! ( I'm told they have regular entertainment here as well. Check out the schedge.) read more

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I highly recommend this museum! It is a "must see" if you like carousels! Our tour guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable. I learned so much about carousels in a short amount of time! The fire museum is also vey cool! My kids loved it and I loved it! We will definitely go back again. read more

Wow. I was not expecting this to be that cool. But I'm totally impressed with how much goes into carousels. There is so much history! I brought the Little Sister I mentor (age 12) and we both found it very interesting. There's just enough to see and touch to keep interest of kids/adults at any age. Our tour guide, Sam, was awesome! She was friendly and very thorough. Sam knew so much about many of the pieces and was able to answer the inquisitive questions we had. The tour ended up being over an hour because we rode the carousel (yeah there is one in the side room!), perused the featured art exhibit (unrelated to carousels... this one was about tattoos - cool!), and headed upstairs to see more. The Carousel Museum is also home to the Fire Museum (upstairs). It's a bit more interactive and really fun to see the history of Bristol Fire Department and even helmets all over the world! My Little even got to try on the coat and mask and helmet! The upstairs is also home to a small banquet-type area. It's a unique space for quaint celebrations or events. You won't see photos in my review simply out of respect for signs requesting no photography of the horses. Guess you just gotta see for yourself! read more

Such a lovely museum! Spent most of an afternoon looking at the gorgeous craftsmanship displayed, helpful descriptions, and engaging variety of animals that once graced the carousels of previous generations. So happy we choose to visit during our "leaf peeping" trip. read more

this is a DELIGHTFUL museum to visit. The history and the beautiful carousel animals provided several hours of delightful visit. The staff is very friendly and quite knowledgeable about the carving process and current creation process. read more

I came here for a fantastic Yelp event, and I used the opportunity to scope out the location for my fiance and me as a possible wedding venue. I ultimately ended up deciding that the atmosphere didn't fit with what I have in mind, primarily because it doesn't go with the color scheme I have in mind. (I love bright colors, especially yellow.) This museum would be a suitable venue if you had a pastel color scheme with a romantic and maybe vintagey feel. The upstairs event space is lit dimly enough that it would work well with earthy tones too, which would go well with the wooden detailing that gives it a rustic feel. This museum houses a wonderful collection of carousel animals of all different kinds--not just horses! As most of the reviews are very complimentary, I'm going to take the liberty to be a little more critical. My impression of the downstairs museum space was that it felt cluttered in some parts. There's one large room in particular that has rows of carousel animals (about three deep) and roped off to keep visitors from venturing too far. I would have liked to be able to see the animals in the far back with greater detail, but I do understand that they have a lot to exhibit with limited space. Personally, I also felt as if the little carousel they had inside was a little kitschy and better suited to a children's birthday party than a wedding or adult event; when I was riding my carousel horse, the gears weren't super smooth and there was always one spot in the rotation of the horse moving up and down that would "hiccup." I would recommend you check the place out in person before committing. I think for the right event, this museum would be great. read more

My 3 year old loves carousels so I suspected he'd enjoy this museum. What I didn't expect was how much the rest of our group would enjoy it! We arrived at 11am on a Saturday. It was very quiet and we had the museum to ourselves. We had brought a library pass which admitted four for free. I expected that we'd only get 1 carousel ticket because we'd only paid for one admission but we were given five tickets! Extra rides are only $1/person so we bought four more tickets (which are also valid for the Bushnell Park Carousel, whenever it reopens). So five of us (plus an infant) got in for $10! Once inside the staff was so attentive! We basically got a private tour which was very interesting and brought to our attention things we wouldn't have noticed otherwise. For my son they had a laminated scavenger hunt sheet for him to look for various horses or characteristics. My son is almost 3.5 and loved that part: he found nearly all the items without help. We went upstairs and toured the Fireman's Museum which is another big topic in our house. Last we went to the carousel to ride. My son rode three times on different horses/items each time. Weight limit for horses is 165 pounds but there are sleighs and a teacup without a weight limit (or you can just stand beside a horse). All told we spent almost 2 hours at the muse and we all very much enjoyed it! read more

A great small museum with fun for the whole family; it doesn't take long to explore but the historic carousel horses and figures are beautiful and it's great to know that there a place in the Northeast that preserves these pieces of America's past. The Yelp Cirque event hosted at the museum was wonderful and I wish them luck with their capitol campaign to raise funds for the renovation. Make sure you take a ride on the mini carousel read more

The Carousel Museum - Admire the historic horses - Museums Near Me - Bristol, Connecticut

My husband and I went to the Carousel Museum recently after buying some tickets on Groupon. We were pleasantly surprised with our visit. There was a lot to see and enjoy!! We have a fabulous tour with Nick, and were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves. We loved the carousel animals and appreciated Nick's enthusiasm in teaching us about the history of everything. We even liked the fire museum, which we didn't think we would be interested in. After visiting, we plan to go back for the different events they host. It's definitely worth checking out!! read more

Wonderful little museum brings back exciting memories of trying for the brass ring when you were a kid. Come here my little presish! You must come with the kids to see the beautiful carousel creatures of all kinds. The history of there making surprising little finds inside when they are working on them, like little time capsules. The kids can even ride a little carousel inside. They have a nice collection of miniatures as well. The museum is bigger than you would think, and can even be acquired for events. I deffently will be comming back, there was a whole area to the left we missed but unfortunately had to leave. read more

My friend and I took a road trip to visit Lake Compounce and Quassy, we stumbled upon this place while driving, and I am so thankful we decided to stop and check it out! The staff was beyond friendly and welcoming, they also were knowledgeable and truly made this a special stop on our road trip. We saw some gorgeous pieces of art, stopped to do some arts and crafts (we made our own paper carousel horses) and we even got to take a ride on a carousel. This place is absolutely worth checking out, we had a great time! read more

The Carousel Museum - Main entrance - Museums Near Me - Bristol, Connecticut

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This place is awesome! When I used to live in Bristol I remember going on a field trip to visit this museum but what do you know when you're in middle school? Coming back as an adult I see it through open eyes and this place is a gem! We brought our daughter here to visit Santa in December and not only was it FREE but they had refreshments, free carousel rides, Anna and Elsa were there, free craft stations and free views of all the carousel exhibits! My daughter and her friends loved viewing all the very unique and old school carousel pieces and it was beautifully decorated for the season! They have many activities for kids and the community so I totally recommend checking it out! It's nice to have such a great museum nearby! read more

We stopped by the carousel museum randomly one Sunday afternoon. The young man who helped us when we first walked in showed us around the main floor. He was really knowledgable and helpful. The tour is typically self guided. The main level is full of carousel horses, the carousel itself and the woodworking studio. The upstairs seemed strange. Technically referred to as "the ballroom" it also has a "Greek museum" and "fire museum". Obviously out of place in a carousel museum. read more

Absolutely great place for a birthday party for younger kids great attractions absolutely great staff and the party room is very roomy

The New England Carousel Museum in Bristol CT is a nice find. A small museum by many standards, a medium sized museum by other standard, however for me it is just right. It is focused on the carousel and the animals that are carved and put on those carousels. With a wonderful sampling of the carousel animals, a working carousel for the children, and a party room to bring a birthday or holiday party to a great setting the Carousel Museum is beautiful. So colorful and playful. Now add to this a master carver who can create new animals, and repair aged animals and you have something really special. It turns out that animals needing repair are shipped here and the craftsmen repair and return them. Wow! There are animals in the process of construction so one can experience the process of creation. So, if in Bristol, make this a stop for sure. Oh es and did I say the staff is so helpful and knowledgeable, well they are! I can hear the tunes now.... Lets go. read more

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