Flying Horse Carousel Watch Hill RI — America's Oldest Carousel
Dawne Lundahl
Flying Horse Carousel <span class=">The Oldest Flying Horse Carousel in America Watch Hill RI
The Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill, Rhode Island holds a special place in American history — it is the oldest operating carousel in the United States.
Built in 1876 by the Charles W.F. Dare Company of New York, the carousel has been delighting visitors for nearly 150 years and remains one of the most beloved landmarks on the New England coast.
How It Works
Unlike modern carousels where horses are fixed to a platform, the Flying Horse Carousel's horses hang freely from a center frame by iron chains. As the carousel spins, centrifugal force causes the horses to swing outward — giving riders the magical sensation of flying. Each horse is hand-carved from wood and features real horse hair tails and glass eyes, making them true works of folk art.
The Brass Ring Tradition
Flying Horse Carousel — I Caught The Brass Ring Youth T Shirt. SHOP Now at The Wishful Fish" width="192" height="192">The most beloved tradition at the Flying Horse Carousel is the brass ring. As the carousel spins, riders reach out to grab rings from a dispenser at the side. Most rings are iron — but one is brass.
Catching the brass ring earns the lucky rider a free ride, and the thrill of the attempt keeps children (and adults) coming back again and again. It's one of the last carousels in the country where this tradition is still practiced.
A Watch Hill Summer Tradition
The carousel operates seasonally, typically from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Lines form early on summer mornings, and the wait is always worth it.
For generations of Watch Hill families, a ride on the Flying Horse Carousel is as essential to summer as East Beach, ice cream on Bay Street, and a walk out to Napatree Point.
Visiting the Flying Horse Carousel
The carousel is located at the end of Bay Street in Watch Hill village, steps from the harbor and the beach.
It is open to children only — a rule that has been in place for generations to preserve the magic for the youngest riders. Adults are welcome to watch, photograph, and cheer from the sidelines.
The Watch Hill Touch and Trace Adventure book is made for Little Explorers and guides you to the Flying Horse Carousel.
National Register of Historic Places
The Flying Horse Carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated by the Watch Hill Fire District. It is one of Watch Hill's most photographed and treasured landmarks.
SHOP THE FULL CAROUSEL COLLECTION
