Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round
Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round returns for its pre-season opening beginning May 23, operating weekends only until the regular summer season begins June 13. Located in the center of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the historic carousel remains one of the shoreline village’s most recognizable landmarks and enduring summer traditions. Families visiting the coastal destination each year often make a stop at the carousel part of their holiday weekend routine, with the sound of the ride and the atmosphere of Bay Street helping signal the unofficial start of summer in SW Rhode Island.
Believed to have been built in 1867 by Andrew Christian and the Charles W.F. Dare Co. of New York City, the Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round is widely considered the oldest continuously operating carousel in the United States. Local legend says a traveling carnival brought the carousel to Watch Hill in 1883 before abandoning it, allowing the attraction to become part of the village itself. Over more than 135 years, the carousel has survived major storms, including the devastating Hurricane of 1938, while remaining a beloved fixture of the Watch Hill waterfront community.
Today, the Watch Hill Merry-Go-Round continues to blend nostalgia, history, and classic seaside charm for generations of families returning each summer. The hand-carved horses, historic structure, and coastal surroundings create an experience that feels deeply tied to the character of Watch Hill itself, making the carousel one of the region’s most iconic family attractions during the warmer months.
