Have been going to the Flying Horses in Watch Hill my whole life, first as a child, then bringing my children, and more recently my grandchildren. Love watching my grandchildren's faces light up as they grab the rings, stack them up on the horse's ears and especially when they grab the brass ring!! It's a special place in my heart :)
With kids or without no visit to Watch Hill is complete until you see the "flying" horses. Each horse has been beautifully restored and highly cared for. For the younger ones as long as your feet don't touch the ground your in, the outer horses allow you an opportunity to grab the famed golden ring offering a free ride for the lucky winner!
wonderful to see this historic amusement still in tact and available to visitors. The horses were finely detailed and a great representation of a bygone era.
Perhaps I'm just nostalgic. I've been vacationing in Westerly every summer for my whole life, so the flying horses are a biggie. Even with my own child grown up, my wife and I still check out the horses every summer. If you are visiting with small kids, you must bring them here. ( and get some of the best ice cream on the planet at St. Clare's)
This treasure was built in 1856 and has survived disasters for over 125 years, including the devastating 1938 hurricane! It's even been in three publications! Learn all the wonderful details by getting a pamphlet at the window and read it while your kids ride it as many times as they want. And don't miss the photo opportunity! Most kids want to ride until they catch the gold ring! It's a great lesson for kids on the importance of treasuring our history. From Labor Day to Columbus Day the hours are weekends only Saturdays 12 - 5 and Sundays 12 -5. For inquiries call (401) 348-6007.
The first time we brought our oldest daughter to ride the flying horses as a child, she was enchanted -- as were my wife and I. Now decades later, our oldest grandchild was ready for her first ride. What a treat to see her choose her favorite steed and fly the night away in scenic Watch Hill.
Oh, the memories. The look of awe on the faces of young children as the horses fly by and the determination of older children to seize the golden ring! Well worth a stroll down past the Watch Hill shops to take in your childhood memories with a new generation. Stop and buy an ice cream cone and sit and people watch....
my grandkids worked there. it is the oldest carousel. the hobby horse have real horse tails. great beach. lots to do around
I have such fond memories of this carousel as a child. I've been on it too many times to count and cannot wait to take my kids one day. It's so quintessential and is a MUST if you have kids.
It is a classic! Always fun. A childhood memory for life. Go for the brass ring for a free ride. Get some ice cream after. Inexpensive fun!