Flying Horses Carousel
Flying Horses Carousel
Flying Horses Carousel
4.5
About
Try your luck at catching the brass ring and winning a free ride on the oldest working carousel in the U.S., which has been enchanting children and adults for over a hundred years. The 20 hand-carved horses on this official historic landmark have real horsehair manes and tails.
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4.5
407 reviews
Excellent
246
Very good
119
Average
36
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2
Terrible
4
Traveler27662
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan1 contribution
Step back in time to the flying horses. You can even win an extra ride by catching a brass ring. This is what the Vineyard is all about, returning to a simpler time--reading books, playing board games, riding an old fashion Carousel, and eating an ice cream cone.
Written 5 May 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lolly’s Look
New York City, NY15,009 contributions
July 2021 • Couples
Its not just for kids.
The Flying Horse carousel is an Oak Bluff historic tradition. It is listed as the oldest platform carousel in the nation, operating since 1884.
The Flying Horse carousel is an Oak Bluff historic tradition. It is listed as the oldest platform carousel in the nation, operating since 1884.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redeco
Warren, MA9,326 contributions
July 2011
By all means, make sure you see the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs. It's the oldest operating platform carousel in the country. Originally from Coney Island, and constructed by Charles Dare in 1876, the carousel is owned by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust and is listed as a National Landmark by the Department of Interior.
The carousel is interesting because of its historical integrity. Visitors can come inside and get a look without charge. Children ride for a fee. If they catch the brass ring, they ride again free. Note that there is only one ring that is brass. So not everybody catching a ring as they go by catches the brass one.
All that being said, the place is usually crowded with kids and hovering parents. Trying to take a photograph of one of the horses without kids is nearly impossible. But this place certainly shouldn't be missed.
The carousel is interesting because of its historical integrity. Visitors can come inside and get a look without charge. Children ride for a fee. If they catch the brass ring, they ride again free. Note that there is only one ring that is brass. So not everybody catching a ring as they go by catches the brass one.
All that being said, the place is usually crowded with kids and hovering parents. Trying to take a photograph of one of the horses without kids is nearly impossible. But this place certainly shouldn't be missed.
Written 17 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbell
Orlando, FL179 contributions
This is not a ride for thrills and excitement. It is a step back in history. The horses have real horsehair and real stirrups, not the plastic stuff of today. There is a lot of history regarding the Carousel. When the summer residents of Martha's vineyard would return after the winter, it would open on Easter Sunday just so they could all come down in their finery and take a ride. It was a major social event as everyone could see who had survived the winter and returned to Martha's Vineyard. Since there were many different religions they would not all see each other in church. I am in my 60's, and I loved taking a ride back into history. I just wished I could have ridden it in my Easter finery!
Written 22 July 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dandre01
Las Vegas, Neveda29 contributions
Aug 2019
The Flying Horses Carousel is an absolutely excellent venue that anyone will truly appreciate! You absolutely cannot visit the Vineyard and leave without going to The Flying Horses Carousel. They are the oldest in the United States and are very proud of that fact! It is especially enjoyable for all new visitors to the island and I strongly recommend it!
Written 27 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BDJV
87 contributions
Aug 2019
Kids enjoyed it. They had fun snatching the rings. Go first thing in the morning because it gets very crowded and the space is small.
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SailSunJay
Fairfield, CT198 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
The experience is wonderful. Music and Brass rings. Wish the horses went up and down.
Staff was friendly and helped little kids.
Staff was friendly and helped little kids.
Written 5 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RhodeIslandActor
Providence, RI191 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
It was delightful to watch the children go for the brass ring and enjoy the carousel. I wish the horses were attached to the moving gears the way they were in my day, but even stationary, it was fun to watch the faces of the young ones.
Written 13 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worldtravelerT1820IO
New York City, NY258 contributions
July 2019 • Friends
i have been going to Martha's Vineyard for over 30 years and Flying Horses has stood the test of time. It really hasn't changed much since I was a kid...and that's very good. Certain things are better left unchanged and Flying Horses is one of them. It doesn't matter your age but it is more fun if you have a child who really wants to ride the carousel and tries to win the free ride by grabbing the golden ring. Highly recommended.
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mark b
125 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Went in September, the website indicates the Carousel is open September 9-October 8: daily 11am-4:30pm, but the local information desk said it was only open at weekends, you can vaguely see the carousel through the windows, but as it was dark, so you could only just make it out. Not impressed.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the carousel’s hours after Labor Day?
Written 4 September 2018
I’m sorry I’m not sure. Maybe there is info online.
Written 8 September 2018
Will the carousel be open during the week by June 18?
Written 12 June 2018
What time of year does the carousel shut down
Written 28 August 2017
We are annual visitors to MV in Fall... it's always closed then ☹️
Written 24 September 2017
Can I get close to the barn of the¨flying horses¨on a mobility scooter? How many steps up to watch my great-grandchildren ride? I´m obviously walking down memory lane. Mass, doughnuts, and flying horses were my Sunday morning for years
Written 25 June 2017
I think there's only 3 steps or so up to it then it's a flat surface. I'm not sure if it's wheelchair accessible but you probably could call 508-693-9481 that's the number under the MV preservation site. Hope you have fun :)
Written 26 June 2017
Is the Flying Horses open in early April? Wondering when the season opens...
Written 22 November 2016
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