A Carousel. With Bugs. Yes.

City-Kid Review:

I want the big one. What is that? A cockroach? I want that one. What do you think, mommy? Do you like me riding a roach?
I think I’d prefer the ladybug.
Yeah, I thought you would say that. (Massive smiles)

Part of the Carousel series.

If bugs make you nervous, then a carousel full of gigantic bugs is not for you. If you are fine with it, then read on. 🙂

I write this as the mother of a family who had pet mealworms and beetles for a while. Yes. And then we lost one. Yes. All good family fun.

One of the great things about the bug carousel is it is entirely encloses so it can be open all year round. It is a great place to go at any time of year but especially in extreme weather. We have enjoyed tromping through the zoo in the snow, the place all to ourselves, apart from the animals and staff, and made our way to this wonderful carousel, sometimes alone with the bugs (and staff). On such occasions City Kid has enjoyed going around and around and…well…around time and again, being the only kid wanting to ride.

The sliding doors open in the summer so with the natural breeze coming from repeated circulating, makes it one of the coolest places to be on a hot day. If you cannot go to the beach, that is.

The bug carousel is one of the delights of the Bronx Zoo. Instead of sitting on a carousel horse, each rider sits on a different insect. It might be a gigantic elongated praying mantis or a short and rounded beetle. Each animal is connected to the roof by a traditional pole.

We love it!

Need to Knows:

Location:  Within the Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

Nearest subway: 2 line

Cost: The zoo has had some staff changes and have recently changed their policies. However, the zoo is still free on Wednesdays but you do have to pay to ride the carousel. As far as I can tell, the ‘total experience’ tickets cost a rather whopping $36.95, which means you can go on everything as many times as you like. Children cost $26.95. A group of 10 or more get a discount. Family membership is $199.95 and some of that is tax deductible for US taxpayers.  I was interested to learn that the Bronx Zoo gets not a single dime from the City, which I find very surprising, given the service it undoubtedly offers. This explains the endless display of high-priced unhealthy-yet-ingestible junk available around the park, during the summer. We are still enormous fans of the zoo though, particularly for all of their wildlife conservation, and love to visit.

The zoo has improved its food choices recently, although it is still mostly Standard American Diet fare – fries and fried variations of food. I highly recommend

Information correct at time of writing. 

Top-Tip

If you have time, go to Tino’s Deli on Arthur Avenue, or grab a slice at Full Moon Pizza, or visit the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. They have a great stand with Italian foodstuffs and, at the back, you can get enormous and delicious subs.

Do you have a favorite NYC carousel? Please tell us about it in the comments section.

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