Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum: Admission Ticket
4.7
11 Ratings
North Tonawanda

Experience the magic of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. Explore the historic factory building, ride a restored 1916 carousel, and enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family. Admission fee and ride tokens included!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - The Herschell companies in North Tonawanda (located just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, New York) produced over 3,000 hand-carved, wooden carousels. Many of their carousels were portable with simply carved horses, meant to be used by traveling carnivals. They were shipped all over the country. Today 71 of the…
see more
What's Included
  • Local taxes included
  • Two ride tokens included, additional tokens available for purchase ($1 each)
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Explore the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, situated in the authentic factory building of Allan Herschell Company. The museum showcases a range of exhibitions including a sculpting area, a painting workshop, an assembly dome, and a dispatch bay. Venture into the various chambers of the seven-structure compound. Enjoy a ride on the expertly…

see more
Location
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
180 Thompson St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(11 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Michael
Sep 8, 2024
A fascinating smallmuseum not far from Niagara Falls - An amazing museum of the history of the American Carrousel housed in the restored factory building where they were made. They provide an included audio tour and rides on a carrousel produced in the factory. They have displays on how the horses and other animals were carved and painted, on how carrousels were built and simple displays explaining the mechanisms. Also how the Wurlitzer company. A nearby firm known for its organs contributed to the music of the carrousel. Also the firm was a pioneer in kiddie rides of the 1940s and 1950s. They have four fully restored kiddie rides from that era. This was a spur of the moment decision to visit and it was one of high lights of our trip. It was well worth the under two hours we spent there. The staff was very welcoming and very knowledgeable. They clearly love what they do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
589heidiu
May 9, 2024
Victorian Tea Event - I attended the Victorian Tea at the Museum and it was fantastic! They thought about all the details when providing this 3-course tea. They also brought in a speaker who was engaging, dynamic and informative. Additionally we had the opportunity to poke around the museum. I will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattfromwestchester
Oct 27, 2023
Much better than expected - Oy, a museum for Merry-Go- Rounds?!? Thought this would be a pink, rainbows and cotton candy, polished play with horses on poles. Boy was I wrong. This is where they carved the horses expertly and with style. This is where they came up with the music that is really a wonder to behold and hear, pre 78's. And you learn about the evolution of the amusement park ride. Really done well like the workers just left for lunch. All the people we interacted with were fans and could tell stories and facts. Quirky and great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A2757nhbradh
May 2, 2023
Step back in time... - Take a step back into the past and see how craftsmen created the marvels that we call a carrousel. Learn the STEM about making this modern joy and ride the hundred year old carrousel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lizakq
Apr 20, 2023
Loved it! - If you can don't miss the opportunity of visiting this museum; it really is a hidden gem. I learned so much of the history of carrousels and it was so interesting. The staff is super knowledgeable and friendly. With the admission ticket you get 2 tokens per ticket to ride the carrousel and you'll love every minute of it. Went in thinking I would be out in half an hour and end up spending 3hrs there. PS we even did the scavenger hunt.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bertram
Jul 27, 2019
8 Out of 5 - This was really worth going to visit. As members of the National Carousel Association, we take every opportunity we can get to experience anything carousel-ish. First there's the museum, which includes some animals from different eras of Allan Herschell’s companies and made in different styles. Then we had a self guided tour of the factory where carousels used to be fashioned. It took us step by step through the process of making carousel animals and gave an overview of the organs, which were made at the same factory. It also had a few animals on display from the carousel that will be opening up in Buffalo next year. Then, of course, we took rides. There is an excellently restored children's carousel in one room. Our son was still small enough to ride it. We also spent some time talking with people about carousels. And then, of course, riding the Allan Herschell # 1 Special Carousel was the crowning glory. This was one of the first 3 carousels sent out of the factory after it opened in 1916. The inner 2 rows have horses made around 1902 by Herschell-Spillman, soon after it first opened. This carousel was sent to a place near London, Ontario and in 1916 returned so that the owners could have a bigger carousel. They added their new kinds of horses as an outside row. Thus it has two completely different types of horses. Everything was extremely enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris
Jul 11, 2019
Convention Stop - Last week we spent a day at Niagara Falls, the Wurlitzer Factory and the Carrousel Museum as part of the ATOS Convention. This was a fascinating place to organ enthusiasts who were very interested in the music and how it created. The information about the amazing carving work was told by someone who did it for years. I got great pictures of some of our attendees riding the carrousel - an experience that brought back so many memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hugh
Nov 22, 2019
Herschell Carrousel - This is the home where the original carrousel was built which is located in North Tonawanda, N.Y. It has two working "merry go rounds." A small one and a large one which you can ride for a small price. There are also displays of the construction of the horses and other necessities.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lucasbear1104
Jun 28, 2019
A must see for any carousel lover - We kind of stumbled across this gem of a museum while in the Niagara Falls area, and we were very glad we did. A well kept compact museum that covered all aspects of the carousel (and roller coaster, etc) factory, with a great emphasis on the manufacture of the carousel animals (not just horses.) The highlight of the museum is the operating 1916 carousel that was built in the factory. A ride on the carousel is included in the admission price. Employees/volunteers were knowledgeable and friendly and have obviously mad but their mission not to preserve the history of the Herschell carousels but carousels in general, including the music rolls and organs. A highlight for us was seeing the kiddie roller coaster cars on display, then seeing those cars again on an operating Herschell roller coaster at Conneault Lake Park. A must see for any carousel enthusiast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nraeanderson
Apr 29, 2019
Really cool look at the history of amusements - Stop in on a rainy afternoon. Lots to see. Vintage ride exhibits and a ride on the carousel is included. See how horses are created, various carousel animals and a master carver at work. Great bit of history on the music of the machines as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $12
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Select a date
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).