Jane's Carousel
Jane's Carousel is a magnificent restored vintage carousel set inside a glass jewel-box pavilion with sweeping views of the East River and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
Jane's Carousel, built in 1922 for Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio, sits inside an acrylic pavilion on Brooklyn Bridge Park's DUMBO waterfront, beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. The glass cube overlooks the East River, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and Lower Manhattan; after dark it projects carousel-horse shadows on its facades every hour.
History and Restoration of Jane's Carousel
The Jane's Carousel was constructed in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company for Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio, and after Jane and David Walentas bought it at auction in 1984, Jane Walentas led its restoration from a studio in DUMBO over the following decades. The carousel is now enclosed in a glass pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel Ateliers and opened to the public on September 16, 2011. The original 1922 horses and chariots offer detailed subjects for close-up shots, while the transparent walls frame the ride against the surrounding waterfront.
Best Photo Spots
Here is one photo spot at Jane's Carousel, a classic wooden merry-go-round featuring hand-carved horses and decorative panels.
Jane's Carousel
Photographs of This Location
Restored Carousel and Jean Nouvel's Canopy
Built in 1922 and originally named the Idora Park Merry-Go-Round, the carousel first operated in Ohio before being reopened in Brooklyn in 2011 following a full restoration. The minimalist, transparent canopy designed by Jean Nouvel's atelier covers the vintage structure, allowing daylight to filter through to the interior. This pairing of early-20th-century craftsmanship with a modern enclosure creates strong visual contrast for compositions.
Common Questions
Jane's Carousel is located in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn Bridge Park, to the east of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Yes, the carousel is beautifully lit at night, making it a popular attraction in the evening.
Jane's Carousel is located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, in a glass pavilion offering views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and East River.
History of Jane's Carousel
Jane's Carousel in DUMBO, Brooklyn, was built in 1922 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC 61) with horses carved by John Zalar and Frank Carretta. Originally a 1920s ride from Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio, it was restored by a six-person team led by developer David Walentas and named for DUMBO artist Jane Walentas, who spent two decades restoring its paint. The structure is enclosed in a glass pavilion designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel that draws on construction techniques used for large-scale aquariums and airplane hangars, and is operated by the non-profit Friends of Jane's Carousel.
Practical Information
B25, B61, B63, B67; Jane's Carousel is a popular destination within Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Thursdays-Sundays; 11 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.; The light show runs every hour on the hour, with screens descending at sunset.
$2; $3; US$3
Permits are required for commercial photo shoots or groups larger than 20 people.
Session Tips
- The DUMBO area around Jane's Carousel changes dramatically depending on the time of day, so photographers should chase the light until there is none.
- Arrive as soon as the carousel opens because it typically fills up quickly.
- Use a wider lens to capture the grandness of the carousel.
- Photographers can capture the carousel framed by both the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge from nearby vantage points in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
- Arrive at sunset to see the four 70-by-25-foot recessed screens descend and trigger the hourly shadow-projection light show, where shadows grow larger toward the building's edges.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
10:27 AM - 10:54 AM
10:54 AM - 11:54 AM
9:34 PM - 10:34 PM
10:34 PM - 11:01 PM
Best Season
mid-May to mid-September
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:17 | 16:53 | 9h 35m |
| Feb | 06:49 | 17:30 | 10h 41m |
| Mar | 07:07 | 19:02 | 11h 55m |
| Apr | 06:17 | 19:35 | 13h 18m |
| May | 05:38 | 20:06 | 14h 27m |
| Jun | 05:24 | 20:28 | 15h 4m |
| Jul | 05:37 | 20:25 | 14h 48m |
| Aug | 06:06 | 19:53 | 13h 47m |
| Sep | 06:36 | 19:04 | 12h 28m |
| Oct | 07:07 | 18:15 | 11h 8m |
| Nov | 06:42 | 16:37 | 9h 55m |
| Dec | 07:12 | 16:29 | 9h 16m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Jane's Carousel runs seasonally from mid-May to mid-September within Brooklyn Bridge Park, housing 48 carved horses and two chariots that draw crowds and long lines shortly after opening. From nearby vantage points, photographers can frame the structure against both the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, and arriving at sunset allows capture of the hourly show when large screens lower to cast the carousel's shadows across the pavilion's facades.
After dark, the pavilion turns into a magic lantern and every hour the horses' shadows dance on the facades, marking the hour like a city clock.
Jane's Carousel is a nice ride any time of year because the glass-enclosed space has huge ceiling fans for hot days.
Jane's Carousel Day is celebrated on Saturday May 3rd from 11am to 5:50pm.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- The entire Brooklyn Bridge Park, including the carousel area, is ADA accessible.
- Parking
- Parking near the park is very limited and visitors are encouraged to take public transportation.
- Public transit
- NYC Ferry East River to DUMBO/Fulton Ferry or South Brooklyn to Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue or DUMBO/Fulton Ferry; A/C High Street or Jay St-MetroTech; 2/3 Clark Street
- Walking distance
- Jane's Carousel is located at 1 Old Dock St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.
- Bike friendly
- Nearby CitiBike stations include Atlantic Ave & Furman St (Pier 6), Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 2, Old Fulton St (Pier 1), and Water St & Main St (Main Street).