I found the Merry-Go-Round Museum online while looking up things to do in the area. Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect but once I saw the great Yelp reviews, we decided to stop in. It ended up being one of our favorite experiences in Sandusky! It's small but mighty with tons of intricately carved merry-go-round animals, some of which were crafted in the early 1900s. I learned quite a bit and the displays were so fun to look at. Your admission ticket includes 1 ride on the carousel which is in the center of the small museum (you can pay for additional rides). They made an announcement that they were starting it up so we took our spots - Nate got on a seahorse and I sat in a chariot. When I tell you that thing goes fast, I mean it. I think the operator said it gets up to 7 mph! I actually started to get a bit dizzy, but it was so fun and brought me so much joy. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time. They have an on site woodworker/carver which was so cool. The building that houses the museum is an old post office and it's definitely seen better days (it's 100+ years old), so I hope they can continue to house this museum there! read more

See all

I'd been here once about 20 years ago and enjoyed it. Now, with a kid, we had to go when nearby. And it was even better than I remembered. Housed in I think an old post office, cool building. Parking around back. Loads of carousel horses in the lobby and all around- and swans, and giraffes, and merhorses, and more. A carver was there on the Sunday we went, and was great with the kids. The big draw is the merry-go-round inside. You get passes for one ride with your ticket, and can get more for $1 each. Kid K went twice. It seems fast inside, but all the kids loved it. The organ was playing Halloween-appropriate songs at the end of September. Ever heard the Ghostbusters theme on a calliope? There's also the Cedar Point museum, with some of the collection that used to be in a building at the amusement park. Mostly souvenir items, but some bits from there and some photos. A little roller coaster simulator video game. Tiny gift shop. Great staff. Definitely would come back. read more

Very cool! An amazing collection of carousel horses, Cedar Point history, and a functioning classic carousel. I loved looking at all of the designs and learning about the history of carousel. Definitely worth an hour visit if you're in the area. A great stop for your way in or out of Sundusky if you're making a multi-day trip to Cedar Point. read more

Merry-Go-Round Museum - Example of a partially carved carousel horse. - Museums Near Me - Sandusky, Ohio

Oh hayyyyyyy......Now *this* is a very cool place. My son and I decided this summer would be all about taking the horse by the reins and visiting places we had never been. Housed in a former post office building, the history of Cedar Point and the history of the beautiful menageries that encompass the carousel world are what you get to see here! I was just taken aback by the detail and the beauty of these very old classic merry-go-rounds. The careful nuances in the carvings, the beautiful paint colors, and the expressions on each of their faces are truly an art form. Some of the collection is well over 100 years old. Admission includes one ticket on the functioning carousel housed inside and as much time as you would like exploring the gorgeous space. My favorites were the reindeer. They were so unique and their expressions are full of emotion. I also loved the Cedar Point history, as going there was a part of my childhood summers. Ok, this review may be getting long....I'll rein it in now. My son loved the museum too and he asked to ride another carousel after we left. We had planned to stop at the carousel in Mansfield on the way home, and then maybe Tuscora Park. A carousel trifecta. Although it didn't work out that way, I do think we'll pony up return here at some point. Seriously can't wait to come back again. Giddy up. PS- do you like my puns? Yay or Neeeeighhhh??? read more

See all

Located right downtown Sandusky in an old post office. It is $8 for adults and includes a ride on their carrousel. It isn't terribly big but the quality is there and we really enjoyed it. A few of the "horses" were carved by a man that was there when we visited. The sea monsters were my favorite. Definitely worth a stop! read more

See all

This is a great small museum of merry-go-round memorabilia and carved animals. It is absolutely beautiful. The lady at the ticket booth was very knowledgeable. There is a full-size mirror inside the building and you get one ride with your entry ticket. Loved seeing the craftsmanship and beautiful carved animals. read more

See all

We were very impressed with this museum. On display are many carved animals, mostly horses, of course, for riding; merry-go-round decorations; and memorabilia from Cedar Point. The highlight of the visit was a ride on a beautiful, fully-restored merry-go-round. The ride was especially fun because it reached a higher speed than most merry-go-rounds, about 9 miles per hour. This is a good place to visit for people of all ages. read more

Spin me around and around up and down on an piggy? Wait what yes you guessed it this is a merry-go-round museum so you know there is a random animal or two here to ride on! Coming here is something I've wanted to do for a good while now as well this museum just sounded radical and let me say it totally was as let's start off by saying that first it's built in an old post office that just has an awesome looking building as well as a good amount of space inside so much so that they have a working merry-go-round right in the middle! Also inside you'll find a ton of vintage horses as well as other animals some of them with just sooooo much detail that it will blow your mind at how awesome the crafting is that was done to them. There's a lotta history here too as there's pieces from lots of closed parks and some vintage ones from places that are still operating like it really is cool and mind blowing to see all these awesome pieces! Overall this was a super cool time as well as a fun time going in circles with all that I really hope to come back here again at some point as it was just a fun and awesome experience all a round merry style! read more

See all

We had a great time looking at all the merry-go-rounds and learning about the history and construction of them. We also enjoyed the memorabilia from Cedar Point. It was a fun afternoon capped off with a ride! read more

Such a fun little gem! Great place for kids! Ride the carousel and learn the history about the merry go round (carousel). Hand carved and hand painted intricate masterpieces! Fun little activities to do while you visit- scavenger hunts, picture rubbings, etc. read more

Really nice small museum in Sandusky. Housed in a former post office, the museum is filled with carousel horses and other creatures. Very cool to see up close the handiwork of these mostly old pieces. A large merry go round is in the middle and each visitor is given a wooden nickel for a ride. The ride is fun and a little fast The staff are volunteers but are friendly and there because they love carousels. I chatted with one person who helps repair donations. There is a small fee but I'll stop by each time through the area as I love these old rides. Great for kids of all ages. read more

Merry-Go-Round Museum - Museums Near Me - Sandusky, Ohio

See all

If you're a fan of carousels, you HAVE to come here! We were in the area to visit Cedar Point, of course, but coming here was next on my bucket list and it did not disappoint. They have SO MANY hand-carved, hand-painted ponies of various styles-- Coney Island (such as Looff and Carmel), Philadelphia (Dentzel), and Carnival (portable for traveling circus)-- and many artists. Some have original paint and others have been restored. They also have a few calliopes on display! The centerpiece of the museum is the functioning carousel in the center, which you will receive a free token for with paid admission. It's a very fun ride that will bring a smile to your face. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. You're free to roam and explore as much or as long as you'd like. A few members of the museum are part of the tradition of carving horses and you can watch them craft or chat with them towards the back. There are bathrooms available inside for guests. Plenty of public parking nearby in downtown. Apparently they have a Halloween event in October. They can even do birthdays here! The gift shop has many cute trinkets-- I especially love the carousel pony pins! Also there are two Penny squishing machines with four unique designs. The hours are a bit restrictive, they open at 11am and close at 4pm. Make time in your schedule to come! It's easy to get lost here in wonder for over an hour. read more

See all

The last time I been here is a couple years back and glad to have a chance to revisit this museum. This is a great little visit to learn about the history of carousel. The entire museum is filled with a lot of interesting carousel figures. The staffs are always around to answer questions and they are super friendly. Love to end the visit on a carousel ride, which included as part of your admission. read more

See all

This place is great! Outside is a cool old post office. Inside is small, but the stuff from old carnivals is pretty cool. There is a merry go round in the middle of the Museum that they give you a token to ride it. Only $8 for an adult. Only takes about an hour to check the place out. read more

See all

My son and stopped by here on a whim during a baseball tournament. We were lucky enough to be the only ones inside when they opened which allowed us to have the kind people who operate this museum give us tons of valuable information. The museum itself isn't massive but the quality of the carousel pieces more than made up for that. There is an operating carousel inside that visitors can ride (included in the price of admission). There are many wonderful and very historical animals on display along with a carving section which shows the process of carving the animals. The place is nicely laid out and very clean. There is a small gift shop and restrooms are available. Make sure to check the hours because google had wrong hours listed. If you have a few hours to kill, it is high recommend that you stop by. A nice place for the young and young at heart! read more

See all

Housed in what was formerly a post-office, this place is a dream. For only $6, I was able to enjoy both the exhibits and one trip around the classical carousel located in the middle of the museum. Staff is super knowledgeable and friendly. I bought a raffle ticket for a zebra carousel carving; I hope I win! read more

See all

Fun little gem that you might overlook. Inexpensive and worth the cost just to ride the merry go round. Makes you feel like a kid again. Staff were super nice too. read more

A bit pricey, but I understand that they need to pay their bills. My 13year old loved it here and learned a ton and enjoyed listening to the volunteers! I was shocked! We both learned a ton. We also watched a gentleman carve a horse head from wood, he explained everything he was doing. read more

See all

Wow! What a small but quality museum; a real slice of Americana! Like stepping back through time. People there where as friendly as they were knowledgeable. My 4-year picked out this cool looking frog to ride on. After the ride we found out that the man who craved it was there doing demonstrations. What a gem! read more

See all

Very neat but small museum in Sandusky. I had no idea it was there, but my friend and I had some time to kill while waiting on the ferry to go to Pelee Island and found it purely by accident while wandering. It's really only one room with a huge carousel in the center, but the carvings are amazing and the volunteers/staff give a great history. read more

This place is amazing! My daughter and I loved this place, my daughter loved the different jeweled horses and the carousel was fun, lengthy in duration, not rushed at all. I loved my trip here. read more

First, thank you to the Blue Star Museum program and to this museum for participating in it. This museum is small - one large room with a carousel in the middle, but I thought it was pretty neat. Take a tour and learn a bit about the museum, see some carousel animals, look at those they're in the process of carving and then ride the carousel. Even if we hadn't gotten in free, it would've been worth the admission price. I took my 18-month-old and my almost 4-year-old and I'd say this isn't really the ideal place for young kids, at least not my 18-month-old because there's a lot they shouldn't touch and, if they're grumpy or screaming it distracts everyone else. However, my almost 4-year-old enjoyed riding the carousel and checking out all of the rubbing plates where he could make crayon rubbings of different carousel animals and other carousel-related scenes. The older adults that were part of our tour seemed to really enjoy it too - especially feeling like a kid again on the carousel. read more

LOVE this place!! I was in town for work and found the museum. I smiled the entire time. It's small, so I was able to really take my time and study the details. I made a few rounds through and noticed new things about the horses each time. I also picked out the perfect horse to ride. My love for carousels has been rekindled. Thank you Merry-Go-Round Museum. read more

See all

Had a great time at the Merry-Go-Round museum! Some of the volunteers there gave us a tour of the facilities and answered all of our questions! That and the ride included it was a great day overall. read more

Very fun visit to this long overlooked gem! Amazing to learn all about how the animals are carved, and sometimes repaired after a lot of wear and tear. A great many animals from private collectors and knowledgeable carvers on hand to tell you more. And, to top it off! We rode the Merry-Go-Round! Felt like a kid again!! Carefree and enjoying every minute!! Do yourself a favor and stop by! read more

Cute little place! Some of the carousel characters dated back to the 1800s. Very interesting. There's some history to read up on too. The rooster was insured for $250k and the lion was $500k. The employees were very friendly. read more

Great find! What a neat place to learn about the history of some treasures. They even have carvers here creating new animals. Not very busy when we were there so we had a private tour. read more

Merry-Go-Round Museum - Remember the stamps? Their models are here! - Museums Near Me - Sandusky, Ohio

Amazing! The hand carved animals are amazing and you can see someone working on new ones and watch them work! The ride you get is absolutely amazing, its faster than most and so cool. I highly reccommend coming here and if you want more than one ride its $1 for each ride after. read more

Small museum but it was cute, colorful and full of history. We were staying in Marblehead and on a rainy day we turned to tourist magazine for ideas to entertain our two girls, ages 4 and 1. This museum was about 20 min away which was fine. Its in an old post office building, there is an admission cost about $6 for adults and 4 and under are free. (And glad to pay it to help keep this cute museum going.) Huge old school and working carousel inside, quite beautiful. your admission gets you coins to ride. My daughter loved riding on it, super long songs. We got to see a volunteer work on sanding a wooden horse carousel, he said it takes about 650 hrs to finish one piece! They have very old, colorful and detailed pieces you can view....and a small gift shop. We spent about 45 minutes there because we rode the carousel twice, daughter got to color and we asked questions and took photos etc. (so I guess it was better for the 4yrd old and not the 1yrd old). If you need to take the kids out, on a rainy day stop by this place. I believe they have a website. read more

We were the only ones there to get the museum tour and ride on the indoor merry-go-round. The tour guide was very pleasant and excited to tell us all about the museum. I loved her enthusiasm. The 3-year old was a little bored at first but then started to get excited about the rubbing plates. He enjoyed the merry-go-round ride as well. I thought it was one of the faster rides than I've experienced before. I actually had to have the guide stop it so I could sit down (I was carrying our 9 month old, silly me thought it was going to go slow). I learned a lot about different types of carving styles. Didn't even know! We entered to win a carousel horse of our own, can't wait to hear if we win! read more

Fun museum, and it's quite interesting to see the carvers at work if they happen to be there during your visit. A ride aboard the museum's indoor carousel comes with the price of admission...it's a face-paced ride (as they used to be in the early days when the merry-go-rounds were more of a romantic ride for adults, rather than a slow-moving kiddie ride), and the ride lasts around 5 minutes! Interesting building as well as it's a former Post Office and retains some of the features of the building from that time. The building is on the National Historical Register of Places and has a marker out front for that. read more

Good for a rainy day. Not super exciting for the little ones on the "tour", but the merry-go-round ride does the trick.