Ever since I heard about the new SeaGlass Carousel – opened in August of 2015 in Battery Park in NYC – I’ve been intrigued. Aquatic and nautical in theme, it was inspired by the New York Aquarium’s first home, which until 1941 was located in Battery Park. After seeing pictures I could see it was like no other carousel – with 30 massive iridescent fish as the seats, it mimics the underwater sea world in a fascinating swirl of colors and lights. I finally took my girls there on a recent day off from school, and indeed it was a completely unique carousel experience.
From Grand Central, we took the #4/5 express down to Bowling Green and walked the couple blocks to the carousel. The pavilion was easy to spot – a big, chambered nautilus made out of steel and glass, set close to the water. We went in the morning and were able to buy tickets right away, and only had to wait for one ride before we could aboard. Watching that ride had my girls giddy with anticipation and excitement, a mesmerizing site for all.
Each of the fish are made out of fiberglass and internally illuminated with “color-changing LED light fixtures…designed to recall the bioluminescence found deep in the ocean.” There are also “water effect” light projectors as well as opera music to create a “mystical underwater experience”. Pretty cool! And it was cool…with no center pole (there are four electric motors below the floor), the fish that we climbed into swirled about in different directions, all the while with the music and special light effects to transport you into a world of aquatic sea.
My girls really loved this carousel, and being located on the water at the southern tip of Manhattan, we were able to walk around Battery Park after and admire one of the best views you’re going to get of the Statue of Liberty (this is where the ferries to Lady Liberty depart). There are also a few important war memorials to see, which we walked around, but my girls are a bit too young to appreciate this sort of thing. For an early lunch we went to a nearby beer garden, which had simple fair but fine enough for the kids. It had outdoor seating which was perfect on this beautiful day – did I mention we had spectacular weather? The best for a jaunt in Battery Park.
Between the carousel, the views, and walking around the park, it was a great way to spend the morning – but note if you live outside the city, or are visiting, as neat as it is, the carousel is not a full-day, or even half-day destination in and of itself. You will want to combine it with other NYC activities (perhaps the Statue of Liberty?). But it was so worth it to go down there and see my girls’ eyes light up at the whimsy of it all. Mine did too.
SeaGlass Carousel, Entrance at State Street and Water Street
Hours: Open 7 Days a Week, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Weather Permitting
Admission: $5
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I’ve never even heard of it. Awesome!
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A and D would love it..
What a great idea for an outing! Love it..
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Thanks Eleanor!
Corey, you did make it sound magical to me. Will try to see it next time we are in the city. I loved seeing my beautiful grand daughters having a grand outing purses in hand” what a hoot”
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Yes, they always want to bring something sophisticated to the city. Leighton took forever to get dressed because she said the outfit I picked out wasn’t fancy enough. Oy..
Can’t wait to go there. I had never heard of the carousel in Battery Park
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Maybe we can go with Alex..
Blown away by your photos, Corey! They are absolutely magical. I want to slide in beside one of your little super models and just sit there smiling. Just fabulous! 🙂
I was grabbed by the title anyway because my husband has been involved in a seaglass project in a light installation show (which I’m excited about going to see this week 🙂 ) but totally unlike this.
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Thanks so much Jo! Is your husband a designer or artist? Sounds like an interesting show. It’s funny, I knew the colors would be so rich that I only brought my Iphone with me – sometimes you can tell that the scenery will take care of itself for images :). One thing I may add is a video – the music really added to the experience. A good find for sure!
A video would be lovely! 🙂 My husband is actually a garden designer but he sometimes gets involved in other projects.
What an incredible carousel, I’d read about this somewhere but didn’t see any pictures, it looks beautiful. I so want to ride this!!
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Thanks Joy! They really did a magnificent job with it. And being so far downtown there wasn’t a big line which was nice. Worth the trek!
Gorgeous carousel! I had never heard of this one before.
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Thanks for reading!
Battery Park is one of my favorite spots in New York unfortunately when we went there, this was not yet done. 🙁 Looks cool though! 🙂
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That’s too bad – you’ll just have to come back for another visit!
There are so many things going on in that area. I remember the beer garden, from when i was there this summer, but the carousel wasn’t open yet. The fish look so beautiful and I love how the colors glow.
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The colors were amazing – and constantly changing in this swirl of color and light. They did a really good job with it. Impressive!
Great photos and what a beautiful carousel! It sounds like such a lovely, unique experience with the lights changing and glowing and the fish moving about in different directions. #CityTripping
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Thanks Cindy – it really is so unique and magical. A brilliant idea for a carousel!
My kids did this last time we were in NYC and it was fab! so pretty with the pearlescent colours.
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I know I love the colors – so whimsical. Thanks for reading.
This is such a unique idea. I have never heard of this attraction before although I have visited Battery Park. Your girls look like they had an incredible time:) Thanks for linking up to #CityTripping
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Thanks for your comment – I’m not sure when you were last in Battery Park but it’s fairly new. Now you know!
What a cool carousel – my daughter would love it!! It is almost as cool as your daughters who look like super cool kids… I love their outfits! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
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Ha – thanks! My younger daughter is a fashionista. Though I love that about her, her closet has gotten completely out of hand..I had no concept at that age!
It’s great to see!
I remember when they were still building this. Despite having been to the city a few times since it has been finished, I still have yet to see it. No kids and what not. It looks like they did a great job with the carousel though. It looks beautiful! 🙂
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It really is beautiful – and when it starts and the music begins to play, it’s a very whimsical experience – on or off!