St. Louis Carousel
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The St. Louis Carousel offers a charming, historic, and highly affordable entertainment option within Faust Park, making it an ideal short excursion or a perfect complement to a visit to the nearby Butterfly House. Its unique, beautifully painted carousel horses, vintage-inspired gift shop, and family-friendly atmosphere provide a delightful experience without breaking the bank.
Key Highlights
- ✓Historic and beautiful carousel with unique, hand-painted horses and landscape artwork on the center.
- ✓Highly affordable rides at $2 - $2.50 per person, with babies riding free.
- ✓Short ride duration (a few minutes to 5 minutes) is perfect for maintaining young children's attention spans.
- ✓Variety of seating options on the carousel including moving horses, non-moving horses, deer, and stationary benches.
- ✓A 'sweet' gift shop selling unique books, games, toys (including vintage items) not commonly found elsewhere.
- ✓Staff are consistently described as very nice, polite, professional, and helpful.
- ✓Membership option available for unlimited rides over a year, beneficial for frequent visitors with small children.
- ✓Conveniently located in Faust Park, directly across the parking lot from the Butterfly House.
Standout Features
- ⭐The aesthetically pleasing historic carousel with its unique, individually designed horses and detailed artwork.
- ⭐The option to ride different animals like horses (moving/non-moving) or deer, plus stationary benches for those who prefer not to mount.
- ⭐The excellent value for money: $2-$2.50 per ride, with babies free, considered 'worth every penny'.
- ⭐A distinct gift shop offering a curated selection of books, games, and toys, including vintage items.
- ⭐Availability of soda, water, and ice cream for purchase on-site.
- ⭐Dedicated party room for events.
- ⭐The option of an annual membership for unlimited rides, providing significant savings for families who visit frequently.
- ⭐Prime location within Faust Park, facilitating easy combination with a visit to the Butterfly House.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Combine with Butterfly House:** Plan to visit the Butterfly House as well, as they are across the parking lot and together make a 'great day' out.
- →**Consider a Membership:** If you have small children and anticipate visiting more than a few times a year, purchasing a membership for unlimited rides is highly recommended for cost savings.
- →**Look for Unique Gifts:** The gift shop offers items 'you may not find elsewhere,' so browse for unique books, games, or vintage toys.
- →**Prepare for a Short Visit:** The carousel is ideal for a 'relatively short excursion' or as part of a larger day in Faust Park, with rides lasting a few to 5 minutes.
- →**Hydration Available:** Drinks like soda and water are available for purchase on-site.
Price & Value
Excellent value. Rides are consistently reported at $2, though one review noted $2.50, and last a few to 5 minutes. Babies ride free. This pricing is considered 'worth every penny' and 'well worth going' by multiple reviewers. An annual membership is available for families with small children who plan to visit multiple times, offering unlimited rides for a year.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Stationary benches are available on the carousel, offering an option for those who cannot or prefer not to ride the moving horses or deer.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Soda and water are available for purchase on-site. Ice cream is also sold.
🚗Parking Info
- •Located across the parking lot from the Butterfly House, suggesting readily available and convenient parking within Faust Park.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One review mentioned a wait time of 'about 5 minutes' to get on, suggesting manageable crowd levels that do not lead to excessive delays.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Margaret Lamming
3 months agoThis is such a fun part of visiting Faust Park. The carousel itself is old and there is a description of its history. It is beautiful, with paintings of landscapes during different seasons on the center part, and the horses are all unique. Rides are only $2 and last a few minutes each; plenty of horses that move, ones that don't, and stationary benches on the carousel if you need to sit. There is also a sweet gift shop with a neat collection of books, games, and toys, things you may not find elsewhere. Definitely worth a stop!
FEARSMAN26
9 months agoI had sooooooooo much fun at this place . Had no idea this place was located in the same area as the butterfly 🦋 house . Only had to Wait about 5 minutes to get on and the ride lasts 5 minutes and it’s costs only 2 dollars and 50 cents to go for a ride. It goes pretty fast and they also have vintage toys inside to buy and also if you are thirsty they do have soda 🥤 and water 💧 avilable to buy to drink . The staff is very nice and polite and professional and helpfully . This perfect for a putting with your family and friends . I highly recommend it and it sure was a lot of fun. FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AND YOUTUBE AT FEARSMAN26
Frecky Lewis
5 years agoThis historic carousel is an absolute delight to visit, especially with children. The horses move up and down except for the outermost ones, and there are even a few deer if you feel like riding a different animal. If you plan to visit more than a few times, consider a membership which gets you unlimited rides for a year and is great for families with small children. The staff are always pleasant, and the carousel is a great option if you need a relatively short excursion with your little ones.
Pat & Sandy Ramshaw
a month agoGreat fun for the whole family. You get to ride quite a long time for the $2 ticket price. We'll worth going.
Jordan Dukart-Anderson
2 years agoIce cream, gift shop, party room for events. It literally only cost $2 for adult entry and worth every penny! The baby got in free and had so much fun! Right across the parking lot from the Butterfly House! Both together make a great day