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The Dentzel Carousel
Attraction in Washington, District of Columbia
The Dentzel Carousel
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7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812
301-634-2222
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
The Dentzel Carousel Description
The centerpiece of Glen Echo Park is the Dentzel Carousel, which was originally installed in 1921. It's called a menagerie carousel because of its variety of animals, which delight young children and their parents alike. The 40 horses, 4 rabbits, 4 ostriches, giraffe, deer, lion, and tiger form three concentric circles, with their more decorated sides facing out and the plain sides facing in. The carousel also has 2 circus chariots. Some of the Dentzel animals have distinguishing features, such as arched manes and hand-carved wooden horseshoes on the horses. Although there seems to be no beginning or end to the circle of animals, there actually is a lead horse (he's the one with the red roses). More than one thousand lights sparkle from the carousel as it turns to the music of a Wurlitzer band organ. From the 256 wooden pipes flow the sounds of an orchestra with viola, bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, flute, flageolet, and piccolo. The organ also has a glockenspiel, castanets, a cymbal, and snare and bass drums. Be sure to check out our other Glen Echo Park vacation ideas.
Attraction
Planning Notes
- Worth the wait.Lines can form during busy weekends, but they tend to move quickly. Still, it's worth the wait -- and you can't beat the $1 per ride price.
- Fast ride: As carousels go, this one turns quickly, so if you are susceptible to motion sickness, you might want to skip the ride, or sit in a chariot rather than on an animal.
- Follow the path: When walking from the parking lot, go over the wooden foot bridge and follow the path up. You'll see the carousel in front of you.
Just the Facts
Hours: The carousel operates from May to the end of September on weekends from 12 to 6 p.m. From May to August, it's open Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and in July and August on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fees: $1 per ride.
Recommended Time: Less than 1 hour
