Carousel of Happiness

Carousel of Happiness 57 whimsical hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 W
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The story of the Carousel of Happiness is the story of a young Marine, an abandoned carousel, and the small mountain town of Nederland, CO. It starts in 1910 when a Looff carousel was installed at Saltair Park, outside Salt Lake City, Utah. During its 49 years at Saltair, the carousel survived fires and wind storms. It was moved to the Utah State School where it was enjoyed by people with disabili

ties until 1986, when it was sold and stripped of its wooden horses. Meanwhile, a young Marine in Vietnam, Scott Harrison, received a tiny music box that he held to his ear to balance the horror of war. He began to dream of building a carousel in a mountain meadow. Decades later, when Scott heard of the empty, abandoned Utah carousel, he rescued it. He would spend 26 years carving animals to bring it back to life. As he finished the last of 35 animals, the community of Nederland pulled together and raised money to build it a home. The Carousel opened on Memorial Day Weekend, 2010, with the first ride a silent memorial to veterans. Since then, the Carousel has become a destination for families, senior groups, organizations serving people with disabilities, parties and weddings. A local dating website called it a perfect place for a first date. As a non-profit organization, the Carousel relies on charitable donations along with the work of many volunteers so that everyone can experience that feeling of joy at a low, affordable price.

Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.-N...
06/21/2026

Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.
-Naya Rivera

And so are Dad’s…Dads, Grampas, surrogate Dads, good and kind people who don’t even know how significant they are in the life of a child. We are celebrating you at The Carousel of Happiness all day tomorrow Sunday February 21st so come bring the family and take those rides. Dads, please grab a magnetic butterfly for your refrigerator or file cabinet, they are everywhere in The Carousel, or a Carousel Sticker…your children in the meantime will be coloring a Father’s Day card for you, all just to remind yourselves how very special you are…
🌺❤️

And while we are at it, let’s wish one of our favorite Dads Nick Alexander, new and famous already podcaster at The Caro...
06/21/2026

And while we are at it, let’s wish one of our favorite Dads Nick Alexander, new and famous already podcaster at The Carousel of Happiness, a very Happy Fathers Day…your children adore you and hope it’s one of your best ever❗️

Today Nick and Assistant Director Sarah Bishop address The Whimsy and Magic of The Carousel and why and how it touches so many hearts and minds…take a listen as they go deep and Don’t Delay Joy🥰🎠🎉

Podcast Episode · Carousel of Happiness Podcast · June 20 · 38m

Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.-N...
06/21/2026

Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.
-Naya Rivera

And so are Dad’s…Dads, Grampas, surrogate Dads, good and kind people who don’t even know how significant they are in the life of a child. We are celebrating you at The Carousel of Happiness all day tomorrow Sunday February 21st so come bring the family and take those rides. Dads, please grab a magnetic butterfly for your refrigerator or file cabinet, they are everywhere in The Carousel, or a Carousel Sticker…your children in the meantime will be coloring a Father’s Day card for you, all just to remind yourselves how very special you are…
🌺❤️

The Longley Family have The Best Mom ever❗️❗️ She bought all her children our famous Frank and Bubby Stuffies as a memor...
06/20/2026

The Longley Family have The Best Mom ever❗️❗️ She bought all her children our famous Frank and Bubby Stuffies as a memory of The Carousel today. Our dear friend Alina continues to make these stuffies even though she has now moved to Alaska. Much of Alina’s proceeds still go to help support her father who is a dairy farmer in The Ukraine as he and his people continue to journey through this unsettling war in The Ukraine. She and we continue to pray to the gods of the universe each and everyday for Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men, Amen❗️ Don’t Delay Joy🥰🎠🌺

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing.” ~George Bernard ShawMeet our wonderful...
06/18/2026

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing.”
~George Bernard Shaw

Meet our wonderful Centenarian that rode today 🙂 Oh what fun she had, laughing, smiling and riding round and round with Bear…and then the sweetest note from her family:

“Sending you photos from our visit to the carousel today, June 15th. We brought our recently turned 100 year old matriarch. She loved riding the carousel and all of the staff and visitors made her feel super special. Such a treat. Thanks to you all!”

Testimonial to the fact that you are never too old to ride The Carousel of Happiness and experience the magic and joy of it all……Don’t Delay Your Joy Ever❗️🎠🎠🎠

"You don't stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing." ~George Bernard ShawMeet our wonderful...
06/17/2026

"You don't stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing."
~George Bernard Shaw

Meet our wonderful Centenarian that rode today 🙂 Oh what fun she had, laughing, smiling and riding round and round with Bear…and then the sweetest note from her family:

“Sending you photos from our visit to the carousel today, June 15th. We brought our recently turned 100 year old matriarch. She loved riding the carousel and all of the staff and visitors made her feel super special. Such a treat. Thanks to you all!”

Testimonial to the fact that you are never too old to ride The Carousel of Happiness and experience the magic and joy of it all……Don’t Delay Your Joy Ever❗️🎠🎠🎠

BUSY JULY COMING UP AT THE CAROUSEL OF HAPPINESS🇺🇸🌺🌸 We are now open every day all summer long, rides on Monday through...
06/14/2026

BUSY JULY COMING UP AT THE CAROUSEL OF HAPPINESS🇺🇸🌺🌸 We are now open every day all summer long, rides on Monday through Thursday 11AM-5PM, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10AM-5PM.
Last Ride Always 4:45, animals need some rest, be here by 4:40🎠

On Saturday July 4th we will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of this great country, The United Stares of America, as well as The State of Colorado’s 150th Birthday🎂. The Carousel will be alive with the sound of music and there will be lots of festive memorabilia to celebrate the moments of this great day, this day of Our Independence. Never Forget🇺🇸 Join us also at The Annual Nederland 4th of July Day Parade marching through town Noon-1:00 and then a Town Picnic@Chipeta following sponsored by The Town of Nederland. It’s a Potluck so bring a dish🇺🇸

On Tuesday July 21st there will be HighTea at The Carousel from 3-5PM. Dress up in your favorite dress, tutu, and top hats, wear your gloves and bow ties. Tutus, gloves and bow ties may be purchased at The Carousel for this momentous First High Tea and we hope to do it often. Tea sandwiches, sweet treats and the best teas ever will be served on white tablecloths and with the finest of China…so get your best dress and manners on and come join. More Joy, Rides and Tea🌺

On Thursday July 23rd at 2:00, The Carousel will host another Veteran Warrior Group, Travis Manion. Travis Manion, headquarter in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is another national veteran organization…they host their annual meeting in Colorado each July and veterans from all over the country travel to Colorado to honor each other as well as those gone before. The Carousel is always a favorite stop for them. Scott Harrison always speaks at this event, we have another Silent Ride, then more joyful rides. It is our honor and privilege to host this incredible group each year🇺🇸🎠🇺🇸
https://www.travismanion.org/

Saturdays through July we will also have Our Carnival of Happiness at all the Nederland Town Sponsored Concerts In Chipeta Park. What great fun this is..again, come join, chill out, listen and dance to the music and Don’t Delay Joy…
🎉🎠🎉

06/10/2026

Another closure, woe is we…Highway 72 Coal Creek Canyon, will be closed again Thursday and Friday, June 11th and 12th at The Pinecliffe Railroad Crossing…
CLOSED 5PM Thursday till 5PM Friday❗️
Alternative routes:
Boulder Canyon Highway 119 West to Nederland
Golden Gate Canyon Highway 46 West then North to Nederland.

Don’t let anything stop you from coming to The Carousel of Happiness on these incredibly beautiful Rocky Mountain Summer Days🌺🎠
HappyHappy and Don’t Delay Joy…

06/08/2026

Did you know that 80% of our riders are adults? Come on up for a spin on the Carousel of Happiness. What are you waiting for? Don’t delay joy!

Good Sunday Morning Coffee. Listen to Our Podcast today and hear all about our memorable Memorial Day Celebration 2026, ...
06/07/2026

Good Sunday Morning Coffee. Listen to Our Podcast today and hear all about our memorable Memorial Day Celebration 2026, always touching and heartfelt, honoring all who have gone before especially our veterans who made us free. Listen here…

Podcast Episode · Carousel of Happiness Podcast · June 6 · 27m

Address

20 Lakeview Drive
Nederland, CO
80466

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13032583457

Website

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