Hotel Blog

A Lakeside whirl!

Today might be the perfect day for the beach, and Port Dalhousie, a scenic gem along the shores of Lake Ontario, is the perfect place to go! Known for its beautiful beach, top-rated restaurants, and a historic carousel, this lakeside destination blends charm with timeless fun.

One of its most beloved attractions is the hand-carved carousel.   Some quick history about the piece. The carousel it was created by Charles I.D. Loof, and crafted between 1898 and 1905.  It was made in Brooklyn New York then relocated in 1921 to St. Catharines, from its earlier home in Scarborough at an amusement park, to the old Port Dalhousie amusement park along with 58 other attractions in those days. Safe to say it was flourishing in Port Dalhousie back then and still is now!

With how beautiful the carousel truly is, it’s not hard to believe people back then would travel from far and wide to come and enjoy!  The carousel has 68 animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats and giraffes, plus four chariots to choose from. And charming music is played by an antique Frati band organ.  Truly a unique experience to enjoy. Now, the carousel and animals have all been carefully restored and continue to be maintained. If there are any needed repairs, they are carefully done by the Carousel team to keep the carousel in sound working order. The Carousel is one of 350 antique hand-carved carousels still operating in North America, only nine of which are in Canada.       

 What’s best about the carousel is that the price to ride has not changed in decades. That’s right, to ride this beautiful carousel is only 5 cents! A 5 cent or nickel donation made to the carousel is all it costs to take in its authenticity and beauty, something you surely won’t want to miss out on. The carousel hours vary depending on the time of year and is closed during the winter, all seasonal hours can be found on their website.       We hope you get to enjoy one of Niagara’s most beautiful hidden gems on your next visit!

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