Albany's Historic Carousel & Museum

We know many of you are as excited as we are about Albany's Historic Carousel & Museum. This is no ordinary merry-go-round. Our city's carousel is a community volunteer-driven project more than 17 years in the making. Artists and laborers contributed countless hours to hand-carve and paint the fabulous animals. It's an attraction you won't want to miss, no matter what age you are. 

Admission to the Carousel is free, and ride tokens are just two dollars. Stop by for Happy Hour from 3 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday to purchase tokens at half the price. In addition to enjoying a ride, visitors can take a free guided tour of the carving studio and museum located in the basement.

The Historic Carousel & Museum is located at 503 1st Ave. W in Downtown Albany, across the street from the US Post Office and kitty-corner from the Albany Chamber of Commerce. Free parking is available throughout downtown Albany. While spaces near the Carousel are limited, additional parking is available two blocks southeast at Two Rivers Market. Be sure to check signage, as some areas near the Carousel require reverse diagonal parking. 

The Carousel Gift Shop features unique souvenirs, carousel-themed treasures, and locally made gifts. In the shop, you can pick up a copy of “The Miracle on First Avenue.” This inspiring book tells the story of the volunteers, the animals, and founder Wendy Kirbey's remarkable journey, whose vision and persistence turned a wild idea into a beloved landmark in downtown Albany.

If you get hungry, the Carousel Concessions offers lunch specials, Umpqua ice cream, and fresh popcorn. Get the most out of your Carousel visit with affordable pricing and special cafe deals every day. Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the building.

Planning a party, shower, or meeting? The Carousel has two charming party rooms available for rent, or you can reserve the entire space for a private event after hours. For inquiries about reserving the Carousel building for birthday parties, meetings, receptions, and other events, visit AlbanyCarousel.com.

The Carousel aims to provide a fun and inviting space for everyone. Welcoming visitors with mobility challenges, the doors are equipped with push-button openers. The Carousel is wheelchair accessible, with a deck that aligns with the loading platform. Wheelchair users can enjoy the chariot, which includes a locking mechanism so they can ride safely without transferring. The bathrooms are fully accessible, as is the museum downstairs, which is reached by elevator. Non-English speakers can enjoy the guided tours with the help of Electronic Translator Services. Upon request, visitors can use complimentary earbuds to hear real-time audio translations from the tour guide's microphone, making exhibits and storytelling easier to follow and more inclusive for a global audience. 

The Sensory-friendly Mornings at the carousel are offered every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This quieter, gentler experience features softer organ music and complimentary earplugs, ideal for individuals with sensory sensitivities and anyone who prefers a calmer environment.

With over 62,000 volunteer hours contributed by more than 550 dedicated individuals, volunteers help the Albany Carousel bring joy to the community. Whether they’re operating the ride, serving up ice cream in concessions, painting, carving, assisting in the gift shop, greeting guests at the door, or helping behind the scenes, every role makes a difference.

If you are interested in joining their team of volunteers, you can submit an application online or in person, or email AlbanyCarouselVolunteers@gmail.com.

503 W 1st Ave., Albany, OR 97321
541-497-2934
AlbanyCarousel.com

Photo by Lori Norton