Skip to content

1928 Spillman Carousel

Opening Friday, February 13

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is thrilled to reopen the Cook Carousel Pavilion for guests of all ages to once again enjoy rides on the 1928 Spillman Carousel. Enjoy new features like…

  • Additional space for viewing as your loved ones ride the Carousel
  • Sound-dampening baffles
  • Freshly restored and repainted animals with extra personality and charm
  • Gently sloping ramp access
  • An accessible chariot that allows those with wheelchairs or other mobility devices to enjoy this nearly century-old artifact

Carousel Ticket Pricing

  • General
    $3 per person
  • GRPM Members
    $1 per person
  • Group Scheduling Rate
    $1 per person

Please Note

  • All riders are required to obey every verbal or written warning prior to and during their ride.
  • Each rider under 42” tall must have their own dedicated supervising companion with them while riding on the Carousel. Supervising companions enjoy a free ticket.
  • One accessible chariot ticket will be available per scheduled ride; standard rates apply.
  • Discounts for members using the accessible chariot will be applied at checkout.
  • The Carousel is a nearly 100-year-old artifact and amusement park ride that requires great care and maintenance. This may require occasional closures.
The exterior of the carousel pavilion is backlit by the late sunset. The sky is a deep blue and the inside of the pavillion is illuminated showing off the 1928 Spillman Carousel inside.
Get Tickets

Carousel Origins

The 1928 Spillman Carousel is housed in the Cook Carousel Pavilion off the first-floor Galleria, overlooking the Grand River. The Carousel is an iconic piece of downtown Grand Rapids and a family favorite that has welcomed millions of visitors for the last 25 years.

The Carousel was manufactured by the Spillman Engineering Company of North Tonawanda, New York, in 1928 and is one of only three of its style known to have been produced by the company. It includes a Wurlitzer band organ, and is made up of forty-four hand-carved, elaborately jeweled wooden horses, two chariots, and six menagerie animals: a giraffe, whale, deer, goat, tiger, and camel.

Renovation Behind-the-Scenes Videos

Welcome to the captivating journey of the 1928 Spillman Carousel Renovation at the Grand Rapids Public Museum! Join us as we go behind the scenes, witnessing the meticulous restoration process and the dedicated team of experts who brought this iconic carousel back to life. Discover the secrets, artistry, and passion that went into preserving this cherished piece of history. Get ready to be mesmerized by the beauty of the carousel’s transformation in this captivating YouTube playlist.

Collecting Community Carousel Memories

My husband Henry and I were married at the museum November 1, 2014! Our favorite memories from that night include riding the carousel with all of our friends and family! - Jen
This has been one of my favorite pictures. The little boy is now 30 years old. Although the picture is not on the carousel it is in fact in the background which made this picture so special. 100 years I thought an older picture would fit in. - Marilyn
This was taken yesterday June 26 during the bday of my son and daughter (yes same day!) I can’t post both so I’m posting my hubby and son here! We enjoyed it! Thank you! - Jacqueline
This is my 5 year old Trenton who frequently visits the Museum, he has been waiting for the carousel to reopen and was really excited to ride it for the first time in many years! We also enjoyed the many different Santa’s that were through old Grand Rapids. 12/27/2022 - Mckenzie
This is a picture of childhood friends Danny Johns and Emily Byl, taken in the mid-1990s, more than two decades before they got married. They plan to return to the carousel this spring with their seven month daughter. - Danny

Renovation of the 1928 Spillman Carousel is Sponsored By:

Title

Ambassador

Sustainer

Friend

Supporter

The GRPM is CLOSED today.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed today, January 27, due to weather conditions. 

This evening’s invite-only event by the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital will be taking place as scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Drive safe, and stay warm! We’ll see you soon!

GRPM is Closed January 23

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed on Friday, January 23, 2026, due to weather. 

Early Closure on Friday, Jan. 16

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing early at
1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, for the 2026 Grand Rapids Wedding Affair. 
 
We will resume normal hours on Saturday, January 17.

The GRPM is NOW OPEN

⚡ Electricity is back in the building! ⚡
 

The GRPM is open for guests today, July 28. While the Museum is open, the cafe will be closed.

We hope to see you here. Stay cool in the heat today, Grand Rapids!

An exhibit with the label ELECTRICITY in pink lights

Museum Parking Ramp Closed Saturday, July 26

The Museum Parking Ramp will be unavailable for use this Saturday due to the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival taking place on Front Avenue. They will be painting 21 new beautiful murals to brighten up Downtown Grand Rapids.

Alternative FREE parking will still be available in the GVSU Mt. Vernon lot at 50 Front Ave SW. See the map below for directions on how to access the Mt. Vernon lot.

See Map

U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!

This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members—active or retired—and their families.
 
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
 

This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.

Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.

Early Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities: Grand Slam!

This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit, Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.

Get Tickets

Planetarium & Cafe Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Museum Cafe will be closed from September 2nd – 5th.

Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours. 

Extended! Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3! 

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. 

Late Opening Notice.

On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.

Early Closure Notice.

The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark. Tickets are still available!