Carousel of Happiness | Kids Out and About Denver <

Carousel of Happiness

Address: 
20 Lakeview Drive (just off Highway 119) PO Box 1811
Nederland , CO , 80466
Phone: 303-258-3457
39° 57' 36.4068" N, 105° 30' 36.2592" W
Contact name: 
Melody Baumhover
Seasons / holidays: 
Ages for which our activities are most appropriate: 
The Carousel of Happiness is a one-of-a-kind, magical menagerie with 57 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ. Voted among the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, the Carousel is open year-round and is fun and accessible for people of all ages. We also have a do-it-yourself Puppet Theatre where families can engage in creative play with our gently used puppets. The Carousel is located in a small mountain town on the scenic Peak-to-Peak Highway, and makes a great day-trip from Denver when combined with the area’s other recreational offerings, attractions and restaurants. Ride tickets are only $3 (or 10 for $25) and birthday parties can be booked in our party room and adjacent puppet theatre. What better place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other milestone than at the Carousel of Happiness!

The Carousel of Happiness opened to an adoring crowd on Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, the culmination of a 26-year-long carving and restoration project by Nederland resident Scott Harrison, whose Vietnam War experience inspired the project. Since then, the carousel has given nearly 1 million rides to 'kids of all ages' and abilities from around Colorado and the world.

The carousel is accessible to people with disabilities, offering a wheelchair ramp and variety to seating to make anyone and everyone comfortable. We pride ourselves in being an inclusive destination and our staff will be happy to provide additional assistance if needed.

The 110-year old Looff carousel, with its delightful, growing menagerie carved by Harrison--now numbering 70 animals--is located in the Caribou Village Shopping Center, next to The Train Cars on Colo. 119. The carousel building also houses a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ, gift shop, children’s puppet theatre, and the “Somewhere Else” wall, another whimsical work of art created by Harrison in 2014. The exhibit presents a gateway to another dimension where the carousel animals come and go when no one is watching.

The Carousel is near Nederland's town park, with playground equipment, including toddler-appropriate, and a covered picnic area, kids fishing pond and grass area for flying kites and playing. The Carousel is also 1.5 miles from Mud Lake (Boulder County Open Space), a popular hiking area for families and kids, and next to the Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center where kids can pet a turtle and learn about the environment around them. The Carousel is on the way to and from Eldora Ski Resort and a popular spot to stop after skiing...a great reward for a good day on the hill. Nederland also boasts a full size, outdoor ice skating rink.

The Carousel is enclosed and open all year.  The Carousel can be rented out for groups outside of normal business hours.  We rank in Kids Out and About's Top 20 places to take Denver kids and we hope you will make a day trip to come visit us and take a spin...or two...or more! 

Open hours: 
Sunday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Monday: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm