Paragon Carousel & Paragon Park

The Paragon Carousel is a 1928 wooden carousel on Nantasket Avenue in Hull, at Nantasket Beach. It's the last attraction left from Paragon Park, the amusement park that stood on Nantasket Beach from 1905 to 1985. A ride costs $3.

The Carousel

The Philadelphia Toboggan Company built it in 1928. It has 66 carved wooden horses, two Roman chariots, 36 cherubs, 18 goddesses and 35 original paintings, and a Wurlitzer band organ plays while it turns. The carousel says it's one of fewer than 100 grand carousels left in the United States.

The ride isn't where it started. DCR's master plan for Nantasket says the carousel was moved to its current spot after Paragon Park closed in 1985. The Friends of the Paragon Carousel own it, but it stands on state land inside Nantasket Beach Reservation.

Paragon Park

George A. Dodge built Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach in 1905, and it ran for 80 years until it closed in 1985. The carousel is the only ride still standing.

The Paragon Park Museum, in the Clock Tower building next to the carousel, tells the park's story with artifacts, photos, videos and memorabilia. You can also watch the restoration curator work on the horses in the Restoration Studio.

The Clock Tower Building

The Clock Tower next to the carousel is older than the ride. DCR's master plan says it was built in 1903 as a restaurant and waiting room for the ferry and train to Boston. The Massachusetts Historical Commission lists it in its inventory of the state's historic assets.

Today the building does three jobs for the carousel. The basement holds the machinery that turns the ride and the workshop where the horses are maintained. The first floor holds the Paragon Park Museum and the Carousel Creamery ice cream shop.

Hours

The carousel is seasonal. It opens on weekends in spring and fall and every day from mid-June through Labor Day, weather permitting. In October 2026 its posted hours were Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM, weather permitting. The museum is open 12 to 3 PM on most days from mid-June through Labor Day, and on spring and fall weekends.

Hours change with the season and the weather, so check the carousel's website before you go.

Tickets

• Single ride: $3
• 10-ride pass: $25
• Paragon Park Museum: suggested donation of $2

Getting There

From Boston, take I-93 South to Route 3 South and get off at Exit 35 (the old Exit 14) for Route 228 North to Nantasket Beach. Follow the 228 North signs through Hingham and go straight through the Route 3A lights. About two miles later the ocean comes into view; the carousel is half a mile on, on the left, next to the Clock Tower. From Cape Cod, take Route 3 North to the same exit.

By transit, MBTA bus 714 runs along Nantasket Avenue past the carousel. Our Parking page has the route details.

Parking

The carousel sits opposite a DCR beach parking lot. The carousel says the DCR lots are paid until 5 PM daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, and free from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Street parking in front of the carousel on Nantasket Avenue is limited to two hours in season, and the carousel asks visitors not to park in the marked crosswalks. DCR's rates are on our Parking page.

Good to Know

• Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the carousel grounds, but pets can't ride.
• The carousel, museum, Restoration Studio and Carousel Creamery are all within walking distance of each other.
• The carousel is run by the Friends of the Paragon Carousel, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and funded by donations and grants.
• The museum donation goes toward restoring and running the carousel.
• Personal photos and video are fine. Commercial shoots, including wedding and engagement photos, need written permission from the Friends first, and guests may not photograph other people's children without a parent's written OK.
• Public restrooms are in the DCR Comfort Station next to the Clock Tower.