A magical menagerie featuring 57 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer band organ.

Happening at the Carousel

Adopt a Carousel Animal to Support the Carousel

The Carousel is offering a discount on new animal adoptions during the months of August and September. You can adopt your favorite Carousel animal for just $600 for the initial year (regularly $750) if you make your donation by Sept.

Carousel Named as Top 3 Spot to Take Kids

The Carousel of Happiness has been named the #3 Top Spot to take kids in and around Denver for 2021, by readers of Kids Out and About Denver. The Carousel ranked immediately behind the dual powerhouses, Denver Zoo and Denver

Watch the Film, Carving Joy

Film About the Carousel Now Available for Streaming! Carving Joy is an award-winning, short documentary film about the origins of the Carousel of Happiness and its founder, Scott Harrison. Produced by Reel Inspired Media, the film debuted at the 2020

How It All Began...

As a young Marine in Vietnam Scott Harrison received a tiny music box that he held to his ear to distract him from the horror of the war going on around him. The music, Chopin’s “Tristesse,” brought him a peaceful image of a carousel in a mountain meadow. After returning home, he rescued an abandoned Looff carousel in Utah and spent 26 years hand-carving animals to bring it back to life.

Scott had never carved before, but starting with the rabbit that is now on the sign in front of the carousel in Nederland, he went on to create more than 50 one-of-a-kind animals, 35 of which can be ridden. As he was finishing, the small community of Nederland (pop. 1,500) came together and raised the $700,000 to build it a home.

Our Newest Ride

The Carousel unveiled a new rideable animal — a giant, wondrous, blue butterfly — as part of our Wonder Project on July 17. Come check it out for yourself!

Shop the Carousel

Our gift shop is full of items sure to intertwine our story with yours. Your purchase helps fund the Carousel, magic and all.

Birthday Parties

Celebrate your birthday or other special event at the Carousel to create lasting memories for your family and friends.

"This is hands down the most magical place I've ever been. The carousel has such a rich and interesting history and the environment it's been placed in shows just how much love has gone into it."

"A carousel in the middle of a mountain town?! Fun for the kids and an interesting history for the adults. Second time we've stopped in after doing something else in the area..."

"Glad to see history saved. They took great care documenting the history of the carousel and its restoration. If you pass through Nederland, CO, you need to stop and take a ride."

"Beautifully carved animals, an antique Wurlitzer music box and a fun place for kids."