A visit to the Merry-Go-Round Museum conjures this famous quote: Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination. Willy Wonka knew that he created a magical little world inside his chocolate factory, and when he allowed a few members of the public in… well, they were in awe. While some of the visitors had… unusual… experiences at Wonka’s factory, you don’t have to worry about such things at this enchanting place.

Rather than a chocolate river (and cavities from all that sugar), you’ll find other notes of nostalgia and cherished childhood memories at this real-life wonderland featuring music, movement, and marvelous merry-go-rounds. The best part? It’s just a short drive from Cleveland, so there’s no better place to go when you need to add a little magic to your life.

Museums in Sandusky, Ohio are just some of the overflowing, splendid attractions, but nowhere is quite as magical as the Merry-Go-Round Museum.
Merry-Go-Round Museum/Facebook
Located inside the former post office on Jackson Street, you’ll find a museum that has delighted visitors since 1990. This museum preserves and celebrates the legacy of the carousel in a hands-on way that attracts people from all around the world.
Visitors encounter exhibits, a working woodcarving shop, and a working carousel that you can actually ride.
Melissa A/TripAdvisor
We are always impressed by the museum's dedication to preservation, and amazed by the skills of the in-house carvers.
Bryan E/TripAdvisor
Carousel animals are beautiful works of art, and the team here truly knows how to bring each piece to life. The museum’s restoration shop uses carving techniques that have been in existence for hundreds of years, striving for historical accuracy and working to preserve tradition at the same time.
The museum also has an unusual surprise: It’s said to be haunted, but don't worry - the spirits here are pretty friendly.
Merry-Go-Round Museum/Facebook
Paranormal experts suggest that certain objects within the museum may be keeping the spirits around. Muller’s Military Horse, for example, is a replica of one particularly beloved by its carver’s wife, and her spirit reportedly chose to spend part of her afterlife continuing to ride the replica just as she did the original.

Related Stories

Get In The Spirit At The Biggest Christmas Museum Near Cleveland: Castle Noel

Get In The Spirit At The Biggest Christmas Museum Near Cleveland: Castle Noel

 The Breathtaking Mansion In Cleveland You Must Visit This Year

The Breathtaking Mansion In Cleveland You Must Visit This Year

 There’s A Fire Museum In Cleveland And It’s Just As Cool As It Sounds

There’s A Fire Museum In Cleveland And It’s Just As Cool As It Sounds
The ghostly girl, too, is reportedly attached to an item that came to the museum from an estate.
Merry-Go-Round Museum/Facebook
The specific item remains a mystery, but her spirit leaves behind small footprints, and guests have heard her giggle and even playfully tug on their clothing or hair.
During the tour, you'll be mesmerized by the beauty of the museum's fully restored collection.
Merry-Go-Round Museum/Facebook
Today, only about 200 original wooden carousels are operating in our country, making the iconic carousel something of a fading childhood memory.
This museum's menagerie is unlike anything you'll ever see outside of your childhood imagination.
02corvette/TripAdvisor
The animals at this Merry-Go-Round Museum near Cleveland, Ohio, may not make a peep, but visitors enjoy taking in their originality and the playful notes of organ music.
Ohio's most magical museum is doubtlessly the Merry-Go-Round Museum.
Merry-Go-Round Museum/Facebook

For general information, hours, and prices, visit the Merry-Go-Round Museum’s website and follow along on its Facebook page.

There is no place to go to compare with your imagination, but this Merry-Go-Round museum is doubtlessly the closest thing to it in real life. Which carousel animal is your favorite?

And after your visit, enjoy an excellent meal at The Original Margaritaville in Sandusky, Ohio. And here are some more fun attractions in Cleveland.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

This Magical Merry-Go-Round Museum Near Cleveland Is Like A Childhood Dream Come True

Carolyn Harmon | May 15, 2023

Are there any haunted hotels in Cleveland, Ohio?

The Renaissance Hotel is one of the oldest and most haunted hotels in Cleveland. Opening in 1918 as Hotel Cleveland, the land use before offers a more exciting tale. It was home to Mowrey's Tavern which opened in 1814 and went down in a fire, and the Forest City House hotel came after and was razed in 1916. Some of the paranormal occurrences reported take place on the fourth floor of the Renaissance Hotel with slamming doors, faucets turning on and toilets flushing, and sightings of strangers entering vacant rooms. Speculation remains about where the hauntings originate - from construction workers to guests - who do you think may be haunting this hotel in Cleveland, Ohio? For more information, visit the Renaissance Hotel's website.

What are the oldest attractions in Cleveland, Ohio?

Here are nine places where you can still experience old Cleveland. Some on this list include:

  • The Arcade Cleveland (401 Euclid Ave.), It's amazing that this inspiring place in Cleveland still stands, and the most impressive views come from looking down from one of its four balconies. The fascinating history begins when it opened on Memorial Day in 1890, making history as one of the first indoor shopping malls in the U.S. The impressive building has two nine-story towers with a 100-foot-high skylight constructed of 1,800 panes of glass spanning over 300 feet. The construction cost of $867,000 was financed by John D. Rockefeller and several other wealthy businesspeople at the time. Shop, dine, and explore the fantastic history here. Discover more about this impressive space on Arcade Clevend's website.
  • Cleveland Cultural Gardens (Rockefeller Park, 750 E 88th St.) Visit this spectacular series of about 35 gardens celebrating Cleveland's diversity. The gardens depict poets, peacemakers, composers, philosophers, and others from distinct cultural or nationality groups. The first garden was completed in 1916 and others are still being created. Along with the beautiful gardens, you'll find sculptures and tributes to or replicas of sacred monuments in other places around the world. We love the unending visual inventory here. Visit Cleveland Cultural Gardens' Facebook page for more information.
  • West Side Market (1979 W. 25th St.) You won't have any trouble spotting this majestic, Neo-Classical structure and its famous clock tower. Open year-round, the one-stop shop offers the most eclectic selection of area goods. Whether you're searching for recipe ingredients, gifts, chocolate, or coffee, you will find it here. But be inventive, as the inventory urges creativity and spontaneity. Open a new recipe with hard-to-find spices you will surely find here. Find out more about this rich and elaborate space on the West Side Market's website.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Merry-Go-Round Museum, 301 Jackson St, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA