City Park Carousel

Name: City Park Carousel
Address: 1 Victory Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA, New Orleans, LA, US
Telephone: (504) 482-4888
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

1 Victory Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA

Overview

Category:Amusement Parks

Location:New Orleans, LA

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

City Park Carousel offers a classic amusement park experience within Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, often bundled with access to Storyland Park. It provides specific value through limited-time discounts and special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks'. However, be aware that the carousel, once free, now requires admission and the park can be subject to private closures. Booking birthday parties here carries significant risks based on recent negative experiences.

Key Highlights

✓Summer Saver discount available Tuesdays through Thursdays for $15, which includes 4 specific attractions (Ladybug Coaster, Carousel, Umbrella Cars, Train) and free entry into Storyland Park.
✓Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' offer unique perks such as free rides, hot cocoa, and marshmallows for toasting (requires paid tickets in advance).
✓Access to Storyland Park is included with Carousel Gardens admission during certain promotional periods like the Summer Saver.

Standout Features

⭐Summer Saver discount provides an affordable option for families interested in specific classic rides and Storyland access.
⭐Special holiday events (e.g., 'Celebration in the Oaks') enhance the experience with unique offerings like free treats and rides.
⭐The overall atmosphere is conducive to making family memories when visiting under positive circumstances.

Perfect For

Likely suitable for young children to pre-teens, given the nature of a carousel, train, and other rides like a ladybug coaster and umbrella cars, as well as the inclusion of Storyland Park.

Teens and older children might find the limited number of rides during discount days less engaging if seeking thrill rides.

Ideal For

Budget-conscious families looking for a few classic rides and Storyland access during weekday discount hours.

Families attending specific, pre-planned special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks'.

Families with younger children who enjoy carousels, trains, and gentle rides.

Locals who have a nostalgic connection to City Park, understanding the changes in admission policy.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

→Visit Tuesdays through Thursdays with the 'Summer Saver' discount to pay $15 for access to 4 rides (Ladybug Coaster, Carousel, Umbrella Cars, Train) and free entry to Storyland Park.
→For special ticketed events like 'Celebration in the Oaks', purchase tickets in advance and arrive at opening to ensure you can experience all offerings.
→Before visiting on a weekend, especially a Saturday, check the park's schedule or call ahead to confirm it's not closed for a private event.
→If considering booking a birthday party, ask specific, detailed questions about staff conduct, party timing policies, and the condition of rental facilities (e.g., air conditioning) to avoid negative experiences.

Things to Consider

⚠The historical carousel, which used to be free to watch and cheap to ride, is now behind a fence and requires general amusement park admission even to see.
⚠The park, or at least the carousel, can be closed to the public for private events (e.g., birthday parties) on weekends, specifically mentioned on a Saturday.
⚠Birthday parties booked here have been reported as a 'horrible' experience, with staff (e.g., C. Lewis) treating guests badly and rushing them out before the party time concludes.
⚠Rental houses for birthday parties have been reported with broken or ineffective air conditioning.
⚠The summer saver discount (Tue-Thu) only includes 4 out of 18 available attractions, potentially limiting the experience for some.

Price & Value

The 'Summer Saver' discount (Tue-Thu) offers good value at $15 for 4 rides and Storyland entry, assuming those rides are sufficient for your family. Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' require advance paid tickets but include free rides and treats, offering good perceived value. General admission to the carousel is no longer free, requiring a paid entry to the amusement park. Birthday party packages appear to offer poor value due to significant service and facility issues reported.

♿Accessibility & Special Needs

•No specific information about accessibility features was mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

•During 'Celebration in the Oaks', free hot cocoa and marshmallows for toasting are provided.
•No general food or outside food policies were mentioned in the reviews for regular park visits or birthday parties (beyond the included treats at events).

🚗Parking Info

•No information about parking availability or cost was mentioned in the reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

•Special events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' can get crowded, requiring early arrival to experience everything.
•Summer Saver discount days (Tue-Thu) with fewer rides available might suggest potentially lower crowd levels compared to full operating days or weekends.

🛡️Safety Features

•No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.

⏰When to Avoid

• Booking birthday parties here due to serious concerns regarding staff treatment and facility maintenance (broken AC).
• Visiting on a Saturday if your primary goal is to ride the carousel or access the main park attractions, as it may be closed for private events.
• Expecting a full amusement park experience if visiting during the Summer Saver discount days, as only a limited number of rides are available.
• If you expect the carousel to be free or very cheap to ride, as general park admission is now required.

Pricing/Package/Events

Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 6 reviews)

Areas for Improvement

Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Jennifer Hayden

a year ago

I highly recommend Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, they currently have a summer saver discount for $15 Tuesdays through Thursdays (only 4 of the 18 attractions are available: ladybug coaster, carousel, umbrella cars, and the train) and you get free entry into Storyland Park. It’s open from 11 AM - 4 PM.

Moon JustMoon

5 months ago

Went there on a bucket list trip, after a 40 year wait to go back home to New Orleans for a week. Was sad to see the carousel now behind a fence, part of the amusement park with admission to even see the old carousel that used to be free to watch & cheap to ride. AND it was closed to the public for a private birthday party that Saturday. So we were bummed. 🙁 I do & will always love City Park tho. It's dear to my heart.

T. Hutson

a year ago

Celebration in the Oaks, lovely event. Free rides, free hot coco and marshmallows for toasting. Get there at open or you won't be able to do everything. (Event is paid tickets in advance)

Calvin Patterson

a year ago

PLEASE DON’T BOOK A BIRTHDAY PARTY HERE WHATEVER YOU DO!Our second experience with them was horrible! We had our 2 kids birthday party here last Saturday and the staff treat you bad and rush your party guest out even before the time is out. C. Lewis did it to us very disgraceful. Also, they are renting out a house with a broken ac along with the digital ac that’s not giving much air. Beware ask questions all they want to do is just grab money don’t care if your child’s birthday party is good for their guest. Thanks.