Paragon Carousel & Paragon Park Museum

The Paragon Carousel has been operating along the shores of beautiful Nantasket Beach for 90 years. Built in 1928 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it boasts four rows of 66 intricately carved horses and two rare Roman chariots. It is decorated with 35 original paintings, 36 cherubs and 18 goddesses who look down while a Wurlitzer Band Organ fills the air with music. The Paragon Carousel is the last remaining attraction from the beloved Paragon Park amusement park on Nantasket Beach that closed in 1985.

Located in the Clock Tower Building, a Nantasket Beach landmark, the Paragon Park Museum provides a history of the park’s 1905 founding and its evolution from a Victorian era “exposition” to a late 20th century amusement park. Listen to modern recordings of songs about a trip to Paragon Park written in the early 1900s. Marvel at a scale model of the Giant Coaster and watch a “rider’s view” video (complete with screams!) of a front car trip on the classic wooden coaster (hands up!). See an original Kooky Kastle cart and the scale from George Kasian’s “Guess Your Weight” shack. Paragon Park clothing and merchandise are available for purchase along with copies of “PTC Carousels: The History of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousels” and other carousel books and memorabilia in the Museum Gift Shop corner.

Carousel Rides are $3.00 each. The Paragon Carousel is open seasonally rain or shine – weekends from Easter through mid-June 7 days a week from mid-June through Labor Day, and weekends in September and October.

Museum Admission is free. A donation of $2.00 is suggested. The Paragon Park Museum is open seasonally from mid-June through Labor Day 1pm to 5pm Wednesday through Sunday, and weekends in late Spring and early Fall. Please call to confirm hours before your visit.

Friends of the Paragon Carousel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to preserve the Carousel at its current location and restore it to its original beauty to enrich our community, our lives and benefit others for generations.