Everyone riding requires a ticket and if your child is under 42” then you have to ride with them. Tickets are $3.50 so not bad. It is about a 3 minute ride. My daughters both had fun and really enjoyed riding!

This classic style merry go round is the perfect resting point for families if you are visiting the Smithsonian museums. You’ll find a good and drink stand as well as this classic merry go round. I think they said it was built in 1940. The blue water horse in my photos is my favorite. Each animal is unique making it even cooler.

Although it is closed during the pandemic, the area offers a place for entertainment from exercising to meditating or just hanging out with friends and exercising social distancing.

A welcomed break for kids while sightseeing at the National Mall in DC. But this is more than just a carousel, it is the only carousel with four horses all abreast jumping. Also, it was a symbol of desegregation on Aug.28, 1963. Something to read up on before enjoying a ride!

A good place to rest with kids before moving on with your walks around Washington DC. There is a huge plane of grass to rest on.

$3.50 for a carousel ride that lasted 3:45 when I timed it. If your kid is under 42” (~107cm) you’ll have to spend another $3.50 to stand next to them.Pros: beautiful location, the carousel itself is well kept and historic - before it moved here in 1981 it was part of Gwynn Oak amusement park and became notable when on the same day that MLK gave his “I have a dream” speech, an 11 month old child became the first African American to ride it.Cons: employees always seem disengaged, seemed pricey to me but I’ll let you be the judge!

A beautiful old carousel with a deep history. Id love to see it restored to original.

Old carousel. My daughter loves these. Staff couldnt speak English which was slightly problematic.

Use to ride this a ton when I was a kid. Now it just gives me a warm feeling when I see it. Of family and friends and simpler times. Happy its still working.

Its a beautiful place to relax with friends and family.Bring your camping kit to enjoy your beautiful day...Parking is also not a big issue in lighter days...

A good break for all the walking for the kids. About $3.50 per person, even kids accompanying children. Good harmless fun. Puts big smiles on the kids faces. Everyone loves a merry-go-round. Dont care about the cost it helps keep the upkeep of the carousel and gets people paid.

For the love of whatever diety you believe in, how do you not accept credit card?!?!??! This isnt a backwoods mom and pop operation, ITS THE NATIONAL MALL!!!

Beautiful addition to the mall

Pretty cool. Looks old

A bit fast.

Worth a stop and checking out. Classic merry go round, relax and enjoy the moment.

THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS. Do not listen to the reviews that say they do. Great carousel though.

Its nice to have a Carousel at the National Mall. Kids love it and its a welcome break from all the long walks from museum to museum.

Beautiful carousel right on the National Mall. We always give our little ones a break here while touring -- a quick ride on the merry-go-round does a lot to relieve the fatigue kids get when touring all the museums! The cost is quite reasonable -- only $3 -- and this is a classic carousel built in the 1940s with a fairly long ride. My kids have always enjoyed the more unusual mounts -- like dragons and the like -- that are available next to the standard carousel horses.

Cool to have along the pathway

Its ok... Compliments first: the ride is longer than the few other carousels I have been on recently and each unique horse is well maintained. My 2.5 year old loved it. Complaints: $3.50 per person for all age? Are you kidding me? And the employees barely communicated as we bought our tickets and boarded.

For only $3.50 you get a nice break in the day with your children!

My grandson thoroughly enjoyed a nice long ride in a beautiful, historical setting.

They charge the parent that must go with the kids! Been in more than 8 carousels in different cities/countries and have never been charged!

For a few dollars and you can ride a dragon, or a tiger, or a unicorn, or a regular horse, or a stationary horse, or even a teacup style turning boat! This is such a cute carousel, and has so many different options for the young, the old, or the young at heart. It spins pretty fast, but the music is old fashioned, and its nice to take in the sights around and on the carousel.

Its a nice historic piece but way too expensive. 3.50 a kid, and if your kid is under 42 inches you have to pay 3.50 to stand next to them for safety. So parents with younger kids get screwed paying $7, as if I wanted to get motion sickness holding my kid. I rarely see any kids on it. I sat and watched families with multiple children walk up, look at the price and walk away.

Not open

Ok carousel, old and not maintained well, extreemly rude personnel that had poor hygiene (stained t shirt, ripped pants) and only seemed interested in giving you a runaround about additional tickets needed for adult just as our toddler got excited about his turn. The child ended up in tears for being pushed to the end of the line as we were scrambling for quarters (no credit cards accepted by the way, cash only) Truly sucked all joy out of the ride for my child.

Super fantastic carousel on the Mall #WashingtonDC

Would avoid. Had to buy an two tickets as they said my son needed a parent with him. It cost me $7 for two tickets. I had to hold him on the ride.Most places let parents on for free.

Classy and antique carousel. Simply beautiful and so nice to watch others enjoy it, even if you dont feel like riding yourself!

A nice break for toddlers and young kids when in the area.Fantastic locationThey accept credit cards and cash.

Thursday July 27, 3017.Took the Metro with my grandsons.They were so excited with a surprise trip to the National Mall carousel. Very disappointed to arrive at the CLOSED carousel. The website is also very disappointing with no notice.My grandsons were disappointed!

Very good place

Interesting history. A landmark of the National Mall. $3.50 person no matter age, except children under one tear of age can ride free. Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Accepts Visa and Mastercard.

Very appropriate location for a classic 1940s carousel. Beautiful and well maintained.

This is one fast merry-go-round. Avoid if you are prone to motion sickness.

Yes, its pricey for a carousel but my son loved it and its in the shade! It wasnt crowded so the operators let him stay on (with a ticket of course) instead of getting on and off.

Inexpensive and fun for kids.

Real piece of Americana. Great for the kids.

Great for the kids

Beautiful antique carousel with a great view of the National Mall.

$3.5 just to help my 3 yo son for his ride... Last time for me and my kids

Enjoying a walk

Great fun!

A little overpriced for just going in circles.

Nice

Convenience and fun for the family.