Jane's Carousel

In Empire Fulton Ferry Park in Brooklyn, New York, the historic Jane's Carousel sits right on the East River between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Originally built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters for Idora Park in Ohio, the wooden carousel survived a devastating fire in 1984 that destroyed the amusement park. Jane and David Walentas, a married couple, bought the rescued one-of-a-kind ride in 1984 and spent more than two decades painstakingly restoring it. The result is a truly unique experience: you can marvel at 48 elaborately carved horses, including 30 jumping and 18 standing figures, as well as two chariots, all accompanied by the sound of a historic Wurlitzer band organ. The carousel is housed in a modern pavilion with glass walls all around, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Since its reopening in 2011, after it had been damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Jane's Carousel has been one of the most popular attractions in Brooklyn Bridge Park, combining nostalgic amusement-park atmosphere with modern architecture.