Ride These Historic Pittsburgh Merry-Go-Rounds on National Carousel Day

Tomorrow is National Carousel Day — a celebration of the musical ride that has charmed both young and old for generations. In Pittsburgh, we have five: the Grand Carousel and Kenny's Karousel in KiddieLand at Kennywood, PNC Carousel in Schenley Park, the Merry-Go-Round in Idlewild & Soak Zone, and the carousel at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

Most Pittsburghers have distinct and delightful memories of Kennywood's old organ playing while going ‘round and ‘round under the dazzling lights on brightly colored horses — or maybe you were the lucky one who got the tiger! But did you know that the Grand Carousel was originally built for Philly? William Dentzel carved it for the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition in 1926, but it wasn’t ready for the event, so the park purchased it for $25,000.

The PNC Carousel in Schenley Park has a wider variety of animals, representing the diversity of Pittsburgh: a camel, giraffe, elephant, ostrich, seahorse, rabbit, and of course, a traditional horse. Celebrate by taking your little ones (or yourself) for a free ride tomorrow between

10 a.m. and 6 p.m.