The Carousel of Happiness is open year-round!
Days and times vary according to the season. Generally we are open 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and open on weekends through the fall, winter, and early spring. Holiday hours will be posted here and on various travel search engines. We have a DIY puppet theatre upstairs which is a fun place for kids to play. All are welcome to come see the carousel and hear our staff tell our story, free of charge.
We offer various opportunities for you to help us keep the carousel turning! See the Support tab for more information, or consider a Membership.
Location & Hours
The Carousel is located just off Colo. 119 in the Caribou Village Shopping Center between the Train Cars and the Wild Bear Nature Center. Our address is 20 Lakeview Dr, Nederland, CO 80466.
Rides
We recently increased our ride price to $3 per ride due to the impact on our operations from the pandemic. Infants younger than 9 months old still ride free! Frequent riders can purchase 10-ride punch cards for $25, and we also offer membership packages.
Accessibility
As part of the Carousel’s values to be respectful and inclusive, we are an accessible destination for people with disabilities. We have a wheelchair ramp, step stools, and our facility is walker-friendly. See below for our service animal policy. The carousel also has several stationary benches and easy-to-ride seats. We can offer headphones for sensitive ears, or turn off the music entirely for riders with special needs. Our restrooms are handicapped-accessible and have diaper-changing stations.
Puppet Theater
In addition to our main spinning attraction, the Carousel of Happiness has an upstairs puppet theater housed in a restored band organ facade. The puppet theater is a popular family favorite as an attraction for creative play with our selection of gently used animal puppets. There is also an observation window that is great for watching the carousel’s 100-year-old gears turn.
Story Catcher Booth
Storytelling is part of the magic behind the Carousel of Happiness. Wonderful, untold stories are all around us, and inside you. The Carousel invites riders to take a moment to share their own unique stories with friends or family in our Story Catcher sound booth.
- Interview a friend or family member, or tell your own story
- Professional recording equipment and sound quality
- Up to 20 minutes of recording
- File saved to USB drive compatible with both Mac and PC
- You own the recording—share it with whomever you wish
- $10 suggested donation includes your USB drive
How to Catch a Story — Download these tips on how to tell a great story so you can start planning your storytelling experience today!
The Wonder Box
What makes you wonder? Here at the Carousel, sharing your stories and creativity inspires us. The Carousel invites riders to take a moment to write a message, or draw a picture, share their experience, and tell about what brings “Wonder” to their life.
Group Visits
Please see our Group Visits page for more information.
Directions from Denver/Boulder
Take U.S. 36 west from Denver to Boulder. In Boulder, turn left onto CO-119/Canyon Blvd. Continue on Colo. 119 for 18 miles. When you reach Nederland, take a left at the traffic circle, cross the bridge and continue until you see the red train cars on your left. Turn left onto Lakeview Drive and then turn right into the shopping center parking lot. GoogleMaps>>
Nederland Area
For links and information on what else to do in the area, visit the Nederland activities page.
Pets and Service Animals
The safety of our guests, their pets and service dogs included, is a top priority. We love animals, your pets and our magical wooden ones. To limit disturbance:
- Pets (non-service animals) are NOT allowed in the building. Please ask the staff on duty if your furry friend needs some water!
- Service animals are allowed inside the gift shop, and shall remain outside of the carousel room, except when assisting their owner on/off the ride.
Staff may ask any pet or service dog to leave the premises if the animal becomes a disturbance. With a moving mechanical machine weighing several tons, and the responsibility of providing for a safe ride for tens of thousands of visitors each year, and limited interior space, we cannot allow pets of any kind into the building, and we cannot allow service animals on the ride while open to the public. Please contact us before you visit with any concerns.
