Thursday, October 1, 2026
Last week, after 10 months of repairs, Nunley’s Carousel began spinning again at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City. The 113-year-old attraction reopened with extended hours, offering families a simple retreat during these final weeks of summer.
The carousel holds a special place in the hearts of generations of Long Islanders. Many who rode the hand-carved horses at the original Baldwin location now bring their own children and grandchildren to Museum Row. These multi-generational visits represent continuity in an ever-changing world.
The carousel’s journey mirrors that of many Long Island families. Originally built in 1912 in Brooklyn, it moved to the suburb of Baldwin in 1940. It found a permanent home on Museum Row in 2009, after Nunley’s Amusement Park closed. The attraction has survived several relocations because it represents something enduring in uncertain times.
There’s a lot to be said for the carefree pleasure of a carousel ride. In times when daily life feels increasingly complex and stressful, the gentle rhythm of painted horses moving in a circle offers a brief respite. The music plays, children laugh, and for a few minutes, the outside world recedes.
The carousel operates on a different pace than the rest of our lives. While we rush from commitment to commitment, the horses move at their steady, measured pace. The carousel offers a few minutes of gentle motion, music and togetherness.
The transition back to school schedules and fall responsibilities looms large for many families. These remaining summer weeks present an opportunity to appreciate the small moments — time spent together, shared laughter and uncomplicated joy — like those Nunley’s Carousel has provided for over 100 years.
The carousel operates Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. until the end of August, giving families a chance to create one more summer memory before the school year grind begins. At $4 per ride, it’s an accessible way to gather multiple generations and remember what we’re grateful for.
For families dealing with modern life’s stresses, the carousel offers something increasingly rare: a space designed purely for joy. There are no learning objectives, no competitive elements, no pressure to perform. Success is measured simply by smiles.
The carousel’s return also invites a broader reflection: What serves as your family's symbol of joy? Every family, club or organization needs something that brings them together, something that creates shared memories. For some, it might be a weekly trip to a local ice cream stand or a monthly hike. Others might find their tradition in Friday night pizza or reading bedtime stories in the same rocking chair.
The beauty lies not in the grandeur of the tradition but in its consistency and the joy it brings. A grandmother’s weekly phone call can be as powerful as an elaborate vacation. A father teaching his child to throw a baseball creates memories as lasting as any expensive entertainment. Family game nights, Sunday-morning pancakes or choosing a Christmas tree together — these small, repeated acts become the foundation of traditions that transcend generations.
Nothing is too big or too small to serve as a source of shared happiness. What matters isn’t the scale but the intention — the deliberate choice to create moments of connection.
Nunley’s carousel reminds us that traditions don’t have to be complicated or costly. Whether your joy comes from carousel rides, backyard barbecues or quiet reading moments, they are the actions that ground us in gratitude and connection.
In these waning weeks of summer, be sure to take part in old traditions — or create new ones. The carousel of life can be stressful. Be sure to take a few moments to find your joy.
