The children absolutely adore this place. Fun to visit during events or for a fun afternoon.
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How can you not go once. Just a peaceful sweet park with real people all ages...so beautiful.
Ohhh its wonderful! .50 a ride and there's picnic tables to have a picnic! Across the way there's a wading pool /splashpad!!! Restrooms with baby change table and drinking fountains lots of shade for those who need it! Enjoy!!!!! I am with my 4 grands!
Love this park, we use to have are family reunions there 1960's-90's. I visited with my grandchildren summer 2018 & had a blast! Italian ice vendor that had a variety of flavors was delicious. Had a blast on the carousel! Kids loved the Giant Slide! Great cheap fun!
Nice place to take kids. Trash can be an issue sometimes.
Old fashioned carousels for you and your entire family to enjoy
I thought the food was discusting. And what's with getting a combo and then extra money is added on for pop and the taters? And 79 cents for cheese?
Was upset that you wasn't open last Friday so My grandson couldn't ride
It was closed on a working day as many families were waiting for them.
Nice. Sounds like needs some work on it underneath, but very nice.
Our kids enjoyed riding the carousel several times. It's very inexpensive and much nicer than the average amusement park or carnival carousel. There are also several playgrounds and a splash pad nearby.
Hidden gem in Des Moines. Can also be rented for parties.
This is my daughters favorite place in the summer. I enjoy taking her there frequently.
Very cool, Very nostalgic merry go round on the other side of the street of the famous rocket slide
Heritage Carousel Des Moines located at historic Union Park is fun for the whole family. The carousel itself is very well maintained, and the music never misses a Beat. At a very reasonable $1 for adults and $0.50 for kids, $5 goes a very long way here. Also while you're here make sure to stop over at the Rocket slide and go for a ride.
Excellent restored carousel...my twin 7 year old Grand-daughter's thought it was very cool
We loved playing in the splash pad/splash pool and it's nice having the playground near it. The slides and carousel were fun too!
The staff is always so friendly. The carousel is in wonderful condition.
Enjoyed my time there only 50 for kids to ride good deal
A wonderful, inexpensive way to have fun. Thw sore points were the restrooms and the animal droppings left by the users.
Our most recent visit was for the birthday celebration and we all had a wonderful time. I have wonderful memories of the carousel as a child and I now get to make those memories with my own children. The carousel is such a wonderful treasure.
Such a nice little spot to stop and visit. The lady running it that day was super sweet. The kids loved riding it over and over again. Very well kept. Clean and beautiful. Even us adults went on it and had a great time! Loved that you could see the little musical instruments going as you rode. Nice and shaded as well!
The carousel is absolutely beautiful. As of July 2016, it costs 50 cents for a child to ride and $1 for an adult. Children can choose from many hand-carved animals to ride, including horses, a bear, a panda bear, a pirate cat, a tiger, a zebra, a giraffe, and an ostrich. There are different scenes of Des Moines painted on the carousel. I spotted the Botanical Gardens and Terrace Hill. Truly, kids enjoy the carousel because it's fun, and adults enjoy it because of all the detail.
50 cents per child and the carousel is in fantastic shape.
The classic carousel isn't open Monday's but it's 50 cents a ride and free for parents who stand next to their kiddo. Really a cheap fun day for my kids and I.
It's one of the most badass balls-to-the-wall carousels in the entire Midwestern United States says one popular TV comedian with failing vision.
Fun and nostalgic carousel. Great customer service.
We showed up with a large group of people with developmental disabilities and care givers. The attendant was friendly and allowed the care givers the ride for free. We all had a lot of fun!
Great place to have fun with my family, especially my grandchildren!
Fun for all ages! The carousel has been around since I was a child in the 70s. It's in Eastside staple
Got private party rental for my son's birthday. Excellent.
Exquisitely painted animals for children to ride on. Also has a rocket slide & splash pad close by!
Carousel was extremely nice, the young lady taking tickets was beyond rude, she didn't like being interrupted from her phone. I would not recommend this .
Only open May - September. Need to state this on site.
So FUN!!!!! Cheap entertainment, easy to get to from the interstate & great picnic and park area.
This is the attraction that Des Moines needed to be the cool place I knew It always had the potential to be.
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About Heritage Carousel
The Heritage Carousel of Des Moines, Iowa. One of the few wooden carousels built since the 1930's. Heritage Carousel located on Des Moines' East Side in Union Park.
Heritage Carousel: A Timeless Attraction in Des Moines, Iowa
If you're looking for a unique and timeless attraction in Des Moines, Iowa, look no further than the Heritage Carousel. This historic wooden carousel is one of the few still standing that was built since the 1930s. Located on Des Moines' East Side in Union Park, this carousel has been delighting visitors of all ages for decades.
The Heritage Carousel is a true gem of Iowa's history and culture. It was originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in 1924 and operated at an amusement park in Massachusetts until it was purchased by the city of Des Moines in 1974. The carousel underwent extensive restoration work before it opened to the public again in 1998.
Today, visitors can enjoy riding on one of the beautifully carved horses or other animals on this classic ride. The Heritage Carousel features 30 hand-carved animals including horses, rabbits, lions, tigers and even a dragon! Each animal is unique with intricate details that make them truly special.
In addition to its beautiful craftsmanship and historical significance, there are many reasons why people love visiting Heritage Carousel. For starters, it's affordable - rides cost just $1 per person! It's also conveniently located near other popular attractions like Blank Park Zoo and Adventureland Amusement Park.
But what really sets Heritage Carousel apart from other attractions is its sense of community spirit. The carousel is run entirely by volunteers who are passionate about preserving this piece of history for future generations to enjoy. They work tirelessly to maintain and operate the ride year-round so that families can continue making memories together at this beloved landmark.
If you're planning a visit to Des Moines or live nearby but haven't yet experienced Heritage Carousel for yourself - don't miss out! This charming attraction offers something truly special that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're young or old, riding on one of these beautifully crafted animals will transport you back to a simpler time when life moved at a slower pace.
In conclusion, if you want an unforgettable experience while visiting Des Moines then be sure not to miss out on visiting Heritage Carousel located on East Side Union Park where history meets fun!
- Website
- heritagecarousel.org
