Carol Ann's Carousel

My kids love carousels. But honestly, what kid doesn't? 

Right before Baby #3 was born I finally took the kids to Carol Ann's Carousel (which I always want to call "Queen Ann's Carousel" instead for some reason). 

We love Smale Riverfront Park, Cincinnati has some pretty cool parks and Smale just has such a variety of things to do. 

Anyways, even though we've been to Smale Park 120,098,413 times we had never checked out the carousel. It's located across the street from the park in a building. You can either climb the stairs or go up an elevator. Outside of the carousel's building is a splash pad but the kids need to be dried off before riding the carousel. 

The only other carousels I have experience with are the Cincinnati Zoo's and the Albany, Oregon Carousel. 

Call me biased but I like the Albany Carousel better. The animals are handmade in a shop next to the carousel where you can receive guided tours. A lot of thought and imagery is put into each animal with stories that you can read while waiting to ride.

So I guess the reason I like the Albany Carousel better is for the sentimental feeling it gives. 

And little kids don't care about that. 

What they care about are cool animals and going around in a consistent circular and vertical motion. 

And for $2 a ride (which is cheaper than the zoo's carousel) I thought it was pretty good. 

We will be back. Dun dun dunnn.

I mean, just look at these faces :D