Triangle carousels: Burlington and Fayetteville

Last week, I lamented that there were no carousels open in the area worthy of the scene in Mary Poppins where the characters find a magical one at a fair and ride their horses across the country side.

Well ... scratch that, kind of. Because there's always the 72-acre Burlington City Park. The park in Burlington, about 50 minutes from Raleigh, includes a carousel, a train along with kiddie boat, airplane and car rides. There are walking trails, playgrounds, an aquatic facility and more. (Sounds a lot like Pullen Park, which is closed for construction through next summer).

And Burlington just happens to be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the park's historic carousel this year. The fully restored Dentzel Carousel, made by the same manufacturer as Pullen's carousel, is part of the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the usual horses, along with chariots, pigs, a giraffe, ostrich, cats, reindeer and tiger.

The city celebrates its carousel every year during the Burlington Carousel Festival in September. But there have been some special events this year as part of the 100th anniversary, including one planned for August with a Mary Poppins theme.

Rides are 75 cents each or 50 cents on Thursday. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.

City Park is at 1333 Overbrook Rd. near downtown Burlington.

And Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville also has a
carousel. It's been at the mall's food court since 2002 and on the property for 15 years. The carousel is open during mall hours which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $1.75 for one ticket; $12.00 for eight tickets; and $15.00 for 12 tickets. Children under 44 inches are required to have an adult ride with them. The adult can ride for free.

Find out more about Northgate Mall's carousel Friday. And, since Pullen's closed, check out the other carousels in the Triangle at Chavis Park in Raleigh and Cary Towne Center.