Bryant Park Carousel

City-Kid Review:

Can I go again? Can I please go again? Pleeeeeaaase???

You know how New York realtors call minuscule  apartments ‘quaint’, ‘cute’ or ‘cozy’? Then they have the perfected and unnatural skill of keeping a straight face while they tell you the rent per square foot, as your collective jaws drop to your waists?

Well, in the UK, they use the term ‘bijou’ for that same phenomenon, as if somehow by using the French word for a highly-prized, dainty, elegant piece of ornamental workmanship, lessens the small.  But, for today, it is entirely appropriate.

I am going to call this a bijou carousel. 

Bryant Park’s carousel is a beautiful and tiny construction, very pleasing. It makes me smile every time I see it. The girl can’t help it.

I think Spring is a particularly lovely time to take a twirl on this bijou carousel, although it is open all year and it delights whenever you take a turn. Bryant Park is bursting with spring loveliness, and you get to view it all, around and around.

This is such a fun carousel right in the heart of Manhattan, in Bryant Park. Known as ‘Le Carousel’ to match the french classical style of the rest of the park.

It was designed by the Brooklyn based company, Fabricon, who also designed the carousel in Riverside State Park. Passengers ride on horses and the design of the carousel displays cloud designs interspersed with gigantic blue butterflies in the style of a Blue Morpho. ( I know this from our trip to the Butterflies at AMNH)

It is not showy or breathtaking in the manner of  Jane’s Carousel or the Seaglass Carousel. But what it lacks in size or grandeur it packs in cuteness, fun and ease of location. I mean, it’s in midtown!  You can pop into Wholefoods afterwards. What could be better?

Need to Knows:

The hours of operation vary according to the month and the season, but Le Carousel is open all year around, weather permitting. It usually opens at 11am and remains open until 6pm or 7pm.  During the Holiday recess in December they open at 10am.

Cost: $3 a ride or a book of 10 rides for $20. You can purchase rides at the lovely booth at the location or, ahead of time, on line.

Location: Bryant Park, between 5th and 6th Avenue, between 40th and 42nd street. Le Carousel is located on the 40th Street side of the park.

Top-Tip

Visit the real Winnie-the-Pooh in the wonderful children’s library in the main library on the 5th Avenue side of Bryant Park.
And while you are there, sneak a peak into the library’s beautiful reading room. Just walking into its hushed confines  makes me feel supremely intelligent.

You can grab lunch at Wholefoods, nab some chairs and a table in the park or bring a blanket and have a picnic…in midtown!! There’s also Chipotle on 42nd street and a host of other food places lining either side of the park.

And, continuing the Francophile theme, if you want to have out-of-this-world baked goods and chocolat (yes, that is the French spelling) you MUST go to Maison Kayser on 40th street between 5th and 6th. They also have sandwiches. Although I have never had one, they look delicious. If you do, can you post about them below to confirm their status, please?

Do you have a favorite New York carousel?  Please tell us about it, in the comments below.

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