The Carousel Building

NEWTON GK★★★★★a month ago

Super cool 😎 The Carousel House in Asbury Park, New Jersey is one of those places that you really have to see in person to appreciate. Walking through it feels like stepping into another period of the Jersey Shore. The building is massive, open, weathered, and full of character, and you can immediately tell that it has seen generations of people come and go. What makes it especially interesting is knowing that this was once home to a working carousel and part of a much busier entertainment complex along the boardwalk. Even though the carousel itself is long gone, the architecture and atmosphere are still there. Standing inside and looking at the old structure, it isn't difficult to imagine the crowds, music, families, and activity that once filled the space. I really appreciate that places like this have survived instead of simply being torn down and replaced. There are imperfections everywhere, but that's part of what makes it worth visiting. The aging brick, huge arched openings, exposed structure, and views toward the ocean give it a character that a new building could never recreate. If you're interested in historic architecture, old amusement parks, photography, or Jersey Shore history, the Carousel House is absolutely worth stopping to see while you're in Asbury Park. It's not a traditional attraction where you spend hours inside, but it's one of those landmarks that tells part of the story of what Asbury Park used to be. Definitely take some time to walk around the surrounding boardwalk and Casino area as well. There is a lot of history packed into this small section of the shore. ★★★★★ 5/5 — A beautiful piece of New Jersey history that's still standing.

cdk007★★★★★11 months ago

Probably the most beautiful building in all of historic Asbury Park, if not the entire Jersey shore. This gorgeous copperclad structure with its ornate decorations was designed by Whitney Warren and Charles Wetmore and constructed in 1929 as part of the casino building to the east. The carousel was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company also known as Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, and installed in 1932. If you’re out for a stroll along the boardwalk make sure to get up close where one can truly appreciate the beauty of the detailed copper work. As with so much of this town’s historical structures, the carousel fell into disrepair in the later half of the 1900s. The carousel itself was moved in 1990 to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after which the building sat abandoned. However, the structure was spared from demolition as is coming back to life in the recent revitalization of the beach community. Music events and art exhibits occasionally find a home within its newly restored walls.

Shelly★★★★★a year ago

Thank God some good folks were able to keep the powers that be from steamrolling this "copper-clad rotunda" into the bin. I've been wanting to come here for some time and finally did yesterday on a cold, windy day. Very appropriate. The carousel itself was purchased by an entertainment group in 1990 and reinstalled in Myrtle Beach, SC. What they say is that it's still operational to this day but with fiberglass recreations of the original wooden horses. So what happened to the original wooden horses?

Mikaela Peluzzo★★★★★12 months ago

Attended a live orchestra concert and the acoustics were amazing! Building itself is gorgeous inside and out. First time seeing the floor mural since it's repainting and it's absolutely beautiful. Great spot for lowkey, offbeat events, and slice of Asbury history

SKEFly★★★★★3 years ago

Beautiful Historic Carousel Building. Sad the horses 🐎 are still not there.