Looff Carrousel

Spokane's carousel is a working antique, not a museum piece behind a rope. Charles Looff carved it in 1909, and people still climb on and ride it today. The wooden horses are painted in detail, with flowing manes and jeweled saddles.

There are 54 horses, a giraffe, a tiger and two dragon chairs, plus a brass ring you can try to grab as you pass. It sits in a pavilion in Riverfront Park, a few steps from the clock tower.

It is a quick stop at under half an hour, and it suits kids and adults who like old craftsmanship.

What to see and do

Local tips

• Buy the day pass if you have kids who will ride more than twice; the city's listed single ride and day pass prices make the break-even about three rides, but check current prices.
• Children 2 and under ride free, and there are discounts for seniors, military and groups.
• Ride an outer horse if you want a chance at the brass ring.
• Visit on a weekday morning for short lines; weekends and event days are busy.
• Combine it with the SkyRide and the Garbage Goat, which are both within a short walk.
• Stand just outside the pavilion for photos of the horses in motion; a slower shutter blurs the background nicely.
• Hours vary by season, so check the Riverfront Spokane hours calendar.

A little history

Charles Looff was one of America's best-known carousel builders. The city says he made this one in 1909 as a wedding gift for his daughter Emma. It was first installed at Spokane's Natatorium Park, an amusement park on the river, and it moved to Riverfront Park in the mid-1970s after the Expo '74 fair.

The city says all the original figures still run, and the carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has carried an estimated 24.3 million riders since 1909 and still draws roughly 300,000 a year.