Broome County Carousels

Three Horse
Originally uploaded by peachicken.

We did something really special on our way up to Niagara Falls. Not many people know about this awesome little off-the-beaten track stop, so I wanted to share it with the world to get the word out. It is the Broome County Carousels, which consists of six antique Herschell's (one with it's original Wurlizter Machine). They are spread out into five parks and one zoo, with free admission to all of them. Well, actually, the charge is a piece of litter from the park, to help keep the place clean. Neat idea, eh?!?

The carousels were donated by a fella named George F. Johnson, who grew up poor. He always loved carousels and he promised himself that when he grew up and became a rich man, that no child would ever be denied a ride on one of these magical horses. Isn't that a sweet story? (I hope it isn't made up. That is what the brochure says...)

The parks the carousels are located in are Ross Park (Zoo), Recreation Park, George W. Johnson, West Endicott, C. Fred Johnson, and Highland Park. We rode on all six of them, but we had to find them all first, since they are divided up between three different towns! And we had an extra exciting time doing this because half of the roads were closed due to all the flooding in that area last week. (I think this would make an awesome Amazing Race challenge.)

The best part of the whole thing is that you get tickets at each carousel, and if you collect all six, you get a button that says you rode the "Broome County Carousel Circuit." Sweet. You know I had to have that! Seriously, if your ever in the area, check it out! But for now, check out my pictures of the experience...