Though certain members of my family are content to sit in front of the TV and work off their weekend meals by making sure the remote is fully charged, I have just as many other people interested in getting around outside and enjoying the fresh air. When we aren't climbing a High Peak or waiting for ice to freeze on the Adirondack ponds, we are enjoying one of the many Lake Placid (and beyond) sights.

The Adirondack Carousel is an experience for all ages
The Adirondack Carousel is an experience for all ages

One activity the whole family can enjoy is the Adirondack Carousel. The unique carousel is not just for the very young but for the young at heart. With 24 hand-carved Adirondack animals (18 working and six in reserve) and a handicap chariot in the shape of a custom mahogany Spencer boat, The Adirondack Carousel is the perfect place to spend some family time. Conceived by Adirondack carver Karen Loffler, the wooden carousel made of Adirondack Indigenous animals is open for events, birthdays and workshops. Recently the Adirondack Carousel even hosted a children's wood carving class, which included soap carving, snake walking sticks and advanced pumpkin carving.

Adirondack Carousel fish
Look for the ladybug hidden in each carousel animal

On one hand the Adirondack Carousel's focus, through each one-of-a-kind work of art, hopes to demonstrate different ways people can connect to nature and the Adirondack environment with a hands-on learning experience. Another is to demonstrate art in the Adirondacks through the hand carved animals. Not everything has to be a learning experience. The Adirondack Carousel is just plain fun. It can bring a sense of wonder and ignite that child in all of us by choosing our favorite animal and escape for a ride.

Upcoming Saturday events include free milk and cookies at 10:30 am as well as animal encounters through the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center.

The Adirondack Carousel, William Morris Park, Bloomingdale Road, Saranac Lake, will be open from November 1 – May 31 on weekends (Saturday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) with special holiday hours. The Adirondack Carousel is open every day but Tuesdays during the summer months. Tickets are $2/one ride, $5/three rides and $10/seven rides. Enjoy! photos and content used with the permission of Diane Chase, author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™.

kids on carousel
Choose your favorite animal and go for a ride!