The light-hearted music of the band organ, the blur of bright colors, and the squeals of delight that surround a merry-go-round are some of the sweetest symbols of summer .Thankfully, there are several adorable (and often historic) carousels near DC where your child can jump on their favorite painted horse and gallop around an endless track.

Below are eight of our favorite DC-area carousels,  from the recently refurbished horses of Glen Echo Park's Dentzel Carousel to the whimsical humingbird seats that twirl at the edge of the Potomac River on the Carousel at National Harbor.