Flying Horses Carousel

Flying Horses Carousel is a rotating horse carousel in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, featuring hand-carved wooden horses with real horsehair manes and tails plus glass-embedded eyes. The horses are mounted on a stationary platform that turns, with music playing from traditional mechanical equipment.

The carousel was built in 1876 by Charles Dare of New York Carousel Manufacturing and originally operated at Coney Island. It was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884 and has remained a draw for visitors ever since.

The carousel keeps alive a traditional brass ring game where riders reach out to catch rings for the chance of a free ride. This game connects visitors to how people enjoyed carousels over generations.

The carousel sits on Oak Bluffs Avenue with street parking nearby for easy access. Visitors can simply stop by for a ride or book it for special occasions like children's parties that include unlimited rides.

This is one of only two surviving Dare carousels in the United States and retains all of its original hand-carved wooden horses from its founding era. The fact that it has been operating for more than 140 years while keeping its original parts makes it a rare example of authentic carousel craftsmanship.

Location: Oak Bluffs

Inception: 1876

GPS coordinates: 41.45722,-70.55778

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:43