Carousel Day or Merry-Go-Round Day 2024 is on Thursday, July 25, 2024: Go-Round Day - When's the last time you rode a carousel merry-go-round?

Thursday, July 25, 2024 is Carousel Day or Merry-Go-Round Day 2024. national merry-go-round day National Carousel Day, or

It was June, Father's Day 2010.. My mother hosted a party and we all went to the carousel in RI, somewhere. The granddaughters love going there and my mother adored the girls. Sadly, Mom passed away in July of that year. She got to see us and see the girls on the carousel, one last time. I wrote a book for the granddaughters featuring the carousel and dedicated it to my mother. She got to read it before she died. It gave her great joy.

Just moved to Kansas City, KS?

You could check out the Carousel museum in Leavenworth

Have a Merry-Go-Round Day!

Ride a restored antique Parker carousel and tour the museum dedicated to telling the remarkable story of C.W. Parker, the "Carnival King". Charles Wallace Parker made Leavenworth, Kansas the carousel capital of the world by producing more carousels in Leavenworth than any other city in the United States

You may also find the village west complex with all of the stores, restaurants and a movie theater, bowling at the pin-up bowl, the arcade at Dave and Busters, The Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park, and the Community America Ballpark, home of the T-Bones minor league baseball team,and Free Summer Concert Series.

Also the new Schlitterbahn Vacation Village on state street in Kansas City, Kansas seems like a great place to check out.

Ideas for things to do on Christmas Day in Southern California?

There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of “must sees” for families with kids. Visit as many as you have time for.:

Even if you don’t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they’re free to visit. If you’re adventurous, try the indoor skydiving (www.iflyhollywood.com). It’s a blast!

Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its close-up, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Most kids won’t really like the Walk of Fame or Chinese Theater, but they might enjoy the people dressed in costume who stand in front of the Chinese Theater. They will pose with you or the kids, and expect tip money. Right across the street is the El Capitan theater, which was restored to its former glory, is owned by Disney and shows Disney movies.

Other theme parks include Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are both more geared towards the fast-ride teen crowd.

Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you don’t want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there. Union Station has great architecture from a bygone age. Also, you are 2 blocks from Phillippe’s (see below).

Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind).Bubba Gump Shrimp Company right on the pier. Kids love the rides on the pier, and the games. Or just playing in the sand.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, Pony Rides and Griffith Park Railroad, Merry-Go-Round, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. While the zoo is not as good as San Diego Zoo, it is still good, and enough to entertain most kids. The Pony Rides and railroad are for the younger kids. Travel Town is a rail museum where you’re not SUPPOSED to climb on the engines, but kids have been ignoring those signs for 40 years. The recently renovated Observatory is a lot of fun. Or you can just play in one of the picnic areas in the park. There are plenty of toys to play on.

Los Angeles Science Center: A favorite museum for kids for over 40 years. Exposition Park, by the Coliseum.

Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana: The big cube right next to I-5, exit Main St.

Los Angeles Children’s Museum: Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, currently under construction. Original location near the Music Center is closed.

La Brea Tar Pits/Paige Museum: What kid doesn’t like dinosaur exhibits?

Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach: Lots of fun marine exhibits for kids to explore. And the mac and cheese at Bubba Gump’s across the street is good, too.

Legoland, Carlsbad: This is more of a San Diego attraction, but kids 10 and under generally love it.

Places to eat:

In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.

Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.

Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.

Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.

Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, it’s hot.

Tito’s Taco’s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it’s in Culver City. King Taco is a good alternate if you can deal with East LA.

The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.

Medieval Times and/or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Dinner and an adventure show, both are on Beach Blvd in Buena Park, you get to eat with your hands.