Please note: This post was written in 2019, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdates information. Please be sure to visit their website for the most current information, especially about things like schedules and pricing.
See something new or different on your visit? Comment on this post or send us your update (pictures welcome too!) via email to outandaboutmom@gmail.com! Hey, it takes a village, right? 😉
2019 Post:
If you’ve been a follower of this blog for a while, then you may know that I grew up in Rhode Island, calling it home until I was in my early 20’s. And even though it’s been nearly two decades since I moved away from my home state, to this day I still find my “Rhode Island” showing when I grumble about car rides longer than 15 minutes (because in Rhode Island you’d probably be in Massachusetts already), have to backtrack mid-sentence as I accidentally order a cabinet (that would be a “milkshake” to the rest of you) at the ice cream shop, or find myself incredulous when no one ever seems to have heard of a little beverage called coffee milk (Yes! It’s a thing! And it’s RI’s official state drink). I guess, as they say, you can take the girl out of Rhode Island, but you can’t take the Rhode Island out of the girl 🙂
So a few years ago when my mom (a longtime Providence resident) acquired a house in the coastal town of Westerly, RI, which happens to be right on the border of CT (convenient!), I was super excited that my kids would now have an opportunity to experience the best of the Ocean State every summer.
As an added bonus, it also meant a local springboard for exploring the areas closer to our readers in southeastern CT!
On a recent trip, we headed to one of my childhood haunts: The Flying Horse Carousel, located in the adorable enclave of Watch Hill.
Now, this little village may ring some bells for you because some years back the Taylor Swift bought herself a seaside mansion here (just steps from this carousel, actually, though you can’t see any of it–what?! of course we had to try!)
We parked along Bay Street, where there is 2-hour parking, and walked the short distance down to the carousel.
A little closer down you’ll find a (not huge) parking lot.
But why would you want to do that and pass up the opportunity for photos like this:
And views like this:
The carousel (often referred to here as a merry-go-round) is located adjacent to Watch Hill Beach, and is open seasonally, so be sure to check this page for the current schedule.
The carousel has a long, storied history dating back to the late 1800’s, and is rumored to be the only surviving “flying” carousel and the oldest, continuously operating carousel (of any type) in the whole country! You can find more information posted at the carousel itself or on their website here. (Or for the full scoop, read this fun article published recently on WesterlyLife.com!)
Tickets can be purchased at the little building next door. It’s $2/ride for the outside horses (to play the brass ring game–more on that later), or $1/ride for an inside horse (no game, good for littler riders). Now, very important. PLEASE NOTE: this carousel DOES NOT HAVE A FLOOR. That’s right. The horses “fly.” So you cannot ride the carousel with your tiny tot and hold them atop the horse like on most merry-go-rounds. Children riding this carousel need to be able to keep themselves stable.
Also, due to the age and construction of this historic carousel, they kindly ask that anyone over 5′ or 100lbs not ride (i.e. no adults). So mom, dad, you have official permission to sit this one out! (Do I hear party horns in the background there?).
As the carousel spins the horses start to “fly” outwards.
At that point, the carousel operators lower a little arm that dispenses metal rings. The goal is to grab for the rings and collect them (play like a local and stack the pulled rings on the horse’s ear). It’s harder than it looks!
Now, I didn’t confirm this (totally slipped my mind!) but when I was a kid, if you got the coveted “brass ring” you won a free ride. I am assuming that if this carousel has a history dating back almost 150 years, chances are they haven’t changed the game much in the last 30. So I’m going to bet that is still the prize. (You do have to return all the rings at the end of the game.)
After a couple of turns, we headed up the road a few steps to the St. Claire Annex for ice cream (they also serve sandwiches and things if you’re in need of a real meal).
Please note that it’s CASH ONLY. There is an ATM inside though.
After vicariously reliving my childhood–followed by several fruitless attempts to locate Taylor Swift’s infamous abode (we think we may have seen the gate, but we can’t be certain)–we headed back to the house.
Another Rhode Island memory successfully passed on to the next generation 🙂
The Flying Horse Carousel at Watch Hill
151-153 Bay St, Watch Hill, Rhode Island 02891
Hours (2019):
Seaonal; hours vary. Please visit this page for the most current information.
Pricing (2019):
$2/ride for outside horses (brass ring game); $1/ride for inside horses (no brass ring game).
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES, the surrounding area is very stroller-friendly (not the actual carousel, obviously)
Coffee Mug Friendly: YES
Restroom: YES, there is a public restroom nearby
Baby Changing Station: That I don’t know…
Parking: YES, BUT…it is limited. We were there on a not-so-busy mid-week-night in July. A Saturday afternoon is probably a whole other ball of wax.
Food for Sale: YES (at shops and restaurants nearby)
Outside Food Allowed: Well, not on the actual carousel (duh), but there are lots of nearby areas for a picnic.
Cash Required: No; credit cards accepted for carousel tickets (cash required for that ice cream though–ATM onsite).
Dress Code: N/A
Age Recommendation: Because this carousel does not have a floor (the horses “fly”), an adult cannot ride standing next to and securing a small child. Adults are also discouraged from riding in general (over 5′ or 100lbs) so you won’t be able to sit on the horse with your child either. So that means your kiddo needs to be old enough to sit in that saddle solo…and not slip off.
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Birthday Party Venue: Event inquiries can be made here.
Discounts: N/A
Love this post? Here are some others to check out!
Out and About Mom is 100% funded by the generous support of our sponsors. Interested in advertising opportunities with Out and About Mom? Get more info here.
Want to keep up with things to do with kids in Connecticut?
Check back every week as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter or follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.
