Kit Carson County Carousel

Stopped here on our family vacation and so glad we did. The people working their are so friendly and passionate about what they do, everyone was smiling from ear to ear. Once we picked out our animal to ride, the bell clanged and the music began. Slowly the carousel picked up speed. We were all surprised on how quick the carousel ran, especially after riding the one that used to be in Jantzen Beach. What a wonderful experience to share with our kiddos, such a great piece of Americana. Stop by and check it out.

It isn't a quick trip, so be sure to have plenty of time. It's 15-minute intervals for rides, at the quickest. It would be nice if it opened at 10 instead of 11. We listened to 2 different people tell the history and they were very different. The facts were the same, one just brushed the surface, and the other went into detail. It's worth the stop, even if you don't have children.

We've seen the signs from the freeway for years and finally decided to stop. The carousel is at the county fair grounds and is definitely worth the visit. Tickets are a dollar or three if you want to see the museum as well. The carousel is gorgeously carved and painted and rotates faster than any other one I've been on. The animals don't go up and down like others, but the ride is long and the original air power organ adds to the ambiance. We happened to be there on county fair weekend, so we also got to see some of the livestock exhibits.

Awesome experience!! We were the last ride of the day. We forgot to bring cash and there is a minimum purchase amount to use a debit card. I was going to find something to buy in the gift shop. The lovely ladies there donated $2 of their own money so my husband and I could ride for our 21st wedding anniversary. They even offered to take our picture after our ride. Definitely recommend!!!!!!

It’s very interesting spot, worth it to stop. Friendly and very informative staffs, and even the military band organ was really cool. The admission is only a dollar

It's "National Carousel Day" today! I had longed to visit the carousel because I'd heard about it during my volunteer work at the historic Elitch Theatre in Denver. The Kit Carson County Carousel originally belonged to the famous Elitch Gardens, so I wanted to take the opportunity to ride the original. On several occasions, traveling through the area, I mentioned to my husband of my desire to ride the carousel; it didn't happen because we were always in a hurry going one way or the other. Well, in August of 2022, as my husband and I were driving towards Burlington on our way back through Colorado, I looked up the time schedule for the carousel and it just so happened that we would be driving through the area a little before their scheduled closing for the day. We arrived and parked in the back within minutes of closing time; the two ladies who worked at the carousel were just starting to lower the large wooden shutters when they saw me running up to the pavilion. They realized, as I was catching my breath, that I really wanted to ride that carousel! They were not only kind enough to give me a much anticipated ride, but my husband and I were also treated to a little tour of the museum! While we were conversing inside the museum, my husband told Donna and Anita (the two women who operated the carousel and museum) that I had dressed in period costume to portray Mary Elitch for tours of the Elitch Theatre. When they heard that, they asked me to come back dressed in my costume; I promised them that I would return. In September, a month later, a friend and I drove the distance to Burlington--just to ride the carousel and visit my newfound friends! I'd worn shorts and tank top for the trip, and upon arrival, quickly added my costume while in the parking lot. We went around to the front of the museum; Donna had been inside talking to customers when she looked out the window and saw me walking up the sidewalk to buy tokens for the ride. She excitedly came running to the door just as we were starting to walk in; we gave each other big hugs and both of us got emotional. She was teary-eyed when she told me how happy she was that I came on her last day of operating the ride for the season! I was so humbled by that precious moment--such a sweet blessing from the Lord! My friend and I followed Miss Donna out to the carousel. We waited in line as others took their turns, then it was my turn to ride (I was able to ride my favorite, the Rose Horse!) The carousel started off slowly, but as the music played and the ride picked up speed, I began to feel the cool breeze blowing on my face. What a wonderful feeling that little carousel ride conveyed as it spun round and round; happy memories to think on for years to come. I'm so thankful for this beautifully restored treasure and the many people who take such great care to preserve it for future generations. Thank you also to the volunteers who welcome weary travelers and those who come to enjoy a little taste of yesteryear; your hard work and diligence doesn't go unnoticed. The wooden carousel was made in 1905 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for the Elitch Gardens Amusement Park in Denver. Later it was purchased by the city of Burlington and became known as the Kit Carson County Carousel. The carousel is housed in an enclosed pavilion and is open during the summer months from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The hand-painted animals are a sight to behold and the ride is pure joy for the young as well as the young-at-heart; hold onto your hats though, because she really goes!❤️😌🎠

This place was an absolute gem in the middle of a long car ride! It is a beautiful carousel! It has been restored and is fully functional for rides. We enjoyed hearing about its history and a couple of stories about it before we took a ride. Rides are only 25 cents a person too! The organ that plays music for the ride is an absolute stunner, too! Don't hesitate to stop and see this historic treasure.

We love stopping here for a quick rest when traveling. Lots of shade, picnic tables, and lovely grass areas. They generally have restrooms open as well. Also, if you fancy a carousel ride this is a good one!

This place is a must stop for our family every time we pass by on our way to the mountains. It is beautiful and well kept. The workers are knowledgeable and incredibly kind. This is a true gem and it feels like a step back in time.

Who knew that Burlington, Colorado, a sleepy little town 3 hours east of Denver, could pack a day full of fun like this??!!! First we visited the Kit Carson County Carousel, a 1905 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel bought by Elitch Gardens and used at the park every summer until 1928. This carousel goes fast---10-15 mph!! It is the only antique carousel in America retaining its original paint on both the scenery panels and the animals, and it is the only surviving menagerie (having other animals in addition to horses) carousel made by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Quaint. Fun. My husband and I felt like kids! 25 cents for a wooden token to ride. This thing picks up a speed to the Wurlitzer organ plays as the carousel circles around. Then we drove over to Old Town Museum. I thought it was a small indoor museum. Don't let the word "museum" fool you!! It's a little town filled with old historic shops, a saloon, church, barn, school...brought from the surrounding areas of the eastern plains. Everything inside is authentic! We missed the Can Can show and shoot out earlier in the day but enjoyed the horse drawn wagon ride, dinner of pulled pork, beans and macaroni salad in the barn and country western band playing outdoors! The locals were there eating with us and are very friendly and down to earth. I felt like I was in a Hallmark movie with a quaint setting from some old Western town back in the day. Don't go with super big expectations. This was a spontaneous trip for us. We enjoyed the atmosphere, Country Western activities and laughed liked giddy little children on a lazy summer's day!

This carousel slaps. 10/10 recommend seeing if you are going past Burlington on I-70 or want some different for a day trip from the Springs or Denver. This bad girl is still fully operating to my surprise. I can't help but feel awful for the animals being harnessed on this ride against their will. Can't joke too much, otherwise PETA will actually shut this down. All joking aside, donate if you can to this very unique historical ride in Eastern CO!

We stumbled on the carousel. It cost $0.25 to ride. There was a history lesson, very informative, before the ride started. Allowed to take pictures after the ride. It is great fun for the young and the young at heart.

Until the beaches of Florida and the Outer Banks seduced me a decade ago, the scenic wonders of Colorado held me in thrall, and I drove the 600 miles to the Front Range at least twice a year. I loved being among those ragged, snow-capped peaks--loved to hike up into them and experience the solitude and grandeur that they offered. I loved the smell of pine forests, the sound of rushing brooks, the views of wildlife, the icy chill afforded skinny-dipping in a crystalline alpine lake. I loved all Colorado had to offer . . . except the drive out there. I've never been one of those who believed that the vast plains of Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado were devoid of scenic value, but compared to the vistas that awaited me in Rocky Mountain National Park, these relatively arid stretches of flatish farmland were merely something to be rushed through as quickly as possible--resented as a delaying obstacle to be overcome. I never stopped anywhere unless it was an absolute necessity and longed for the day when supersonic ground transportation was a reality. During the course of these somewhat grim vehicular trudges toward paradise, I had occasion to stop for gas or sustenance in Burlington Colorado a number of times. The town, not surprisingly--no offense to its residents--seemed to have nothing to offer (except that it was NOT Limon--a distinct positive), just a dry, nondescript little town whose main purpose for existence seemed to be catering to the food/gas/lodging needs of the passing parade on I-70. I'd often noted the signs that touted a certain historic carousel, the "Kit Carson County Carousel" to be specific, but in my headlong rush to commune with high-altitudinal nature, I couldn't be bothered . . . until one day, inexplicably, I allowed myself to be so bothered. I was the guy who chafed at even necessary delays, who began peering impatiently ahead for that first distant view of Pikes Peak at least 80 miles before the curvature of the earth made it possible, so how could I have countenanced such a detour? I can't explain it, but I've been grateful for this break with my impatient nature ever since. No doubt because my childhood had been compromised, I often find myself searching for a transporting mechanism to take me back to a new, a different childhood. Disney World had certainly provided such transportation on my first trip to Florida, and dreary Burlington, Colorado was now to do the same. Here I discovered a carousel the like of which I had never seen. Here were rows of beautifully carved horses, wild beasts, goats, camels, dogs, and other animals (46 in all), including fantastical creatures that only ever drew breath in someones imagination. And not only beautifully carved, but beautifully painted, as this carousel is the only one in America that retains all of its original paint. One could spend hours lost in the details of the carvings as there are numerous idiosyncratic touches--gnomes tucked under saddles with spears at the ready to threaten riders; garlands of varying flowers, cupids with bow cocked, ribbons, festoons, a snake crawling up the neck of the giraffe, faces staring out of nooks and crannies, glass eyes, real horse tails, and on and on. Most people probably favor the magnificent hippocampus--a "merhorse," i.e., a horse with a fish tail instead of back legs. Me, I like the simpler "Rose Pony," sparsely decorated with the eponymous flowers, or the armored horse. But there are no duds among the collection of animals. Another great thing about the carousel, is the music that comes with it. At its center, there is a 1909 Wurlitzer Monster Band Organ--a fabulous instrument made up of 155 pipes (which approximate the sounds of a brass band), a bass and snare drum and cymbals. The organ plays music the same way as the old roll pianos did, and it has quite a repertoire, with hundreds of marches, waltzes and other music from the turn of the century. I should mention one other thing, unlike many carousels, these animals do not go up and down as your ride them, but instead simply travel about their axis counter-clockwise, but at speeds greater than you will find on the up and down models. It costs a mere 25 cents a ride, which is quite the bargain. There is a museum (and gift shop) adjacent to the large gazebo that houses the carousel that examines the history of this carousel and the Philadelphia Toboggan Company which constructed it. If you're ever in the area, do stop and give it a look. Paradise be damned--it's more than worth it.

I was in Burlington for work and thankfully someone told me to check out the carousel. Although it was already closed for the season (I was there the day after Labor Day) a very nice lady was there closing it up for the winter. She invited me to walk around and even gave me some history on the carousel. The carousel itself is stunning. Beautiful craftsmanship. If only I had been able to hear the music as well. If you're in the area during the summer it's definitely worth a stop. Now I need to arrange a work trip for summer so next time I can go for a ride.

Great historical piece of art. And best part is you can ride it for a mere quarter. Listen to a bit of history before the ride or visit the museum for a dollar and learn more. Cheap entertainment in a small town with this beautiful piece of history.

Beautiful carousel! Wonderful close-to-the-road attraction that makes a great stop on a cross-country road trip.

I grew up riding this carousel! Runs on the hour for 25 cents per person, and the museum is $1 per person. Say hi to the staff, they are very friendly and will give you a history tour of the carousel.

Beautifully restored turn of the century carousel. Museum next door is surprisingly good. This place is an unexpected treat. It I'd well worth the short detour of the Interstate.