Even the most whimsical New Yorker might raise an eyebrow upon hearing that Battery Park recently debuted a new carousel. (The city doesn’t exactly have a shortage of the spinning attractions.) However, the new addition is unlike any other merry-go-round in town — or really, the world. A steel and glass shell that houses 30 fish measuring more than 13 feet tall, this attraction is must-sea!
Fish Tale
Ten years in the making, the sea-themed carousel was designed by award-winning WXY Architecture + Urban Design, and pays tribute to The Battery as the original home of the New York Aquarium. The carousel’s glass and steel enclosure is inspired by the form of the chambered nautilus shell, and the 30 luminescent fish of varying colors were designed by the internationally-acclaimed George Tsypin Opera Factory. The spectacular sight is surrounded by the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Woodland Gardens.
Instead of climbing onto a fish as one would on a traditional carousel, riders climb inside the fish, each of which is equipped with speakers to enjoy nautical-themed music. If your kids are too young to ride alone, you may sit and hold them in your lap, but because the entire floor moves, no one can remain standing alongside a fish when the ride is operating. Each “underwater” spin lasts 3 and 1/2 minutes and cost $5.
A Whale of a Day
Want to make a day of your visit? After your ride, continue the nautical-themed outing and grab a bite on the waterfront at Battery Gardens and watch the boats sail by. Or, take to the river yourself: Considered one of the best ways to see the city’s skyline, the nearby Staten Island Ferry leaves roughly every half hour and is totally free. If it’s your first time at The Battery, go the classic route and hop on the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.
(And if your kids can hang at night, it’s worth letting them stay up past their bedtime to see the ride transform into a spectacular “underwater” light show.)
photo: Filip Wolak
SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery
Open daily; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tickets: $5/person
Battery Park
Online: http://www.thebattery.org/
Have you taken a spin on the SeaGlass Carousel? Tell us about your ride in the comments below!
—Caitlin Dowling
