Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel

the loveliest carousel in los angeles and it’s located inside the los angeles zoo, on a hill in the treetops terrace.
named after the late tom mankiewicz, screenwriter/​producer and former chair of the greater los angeles zoo association, there are more than just ponies that circle this merry go round. instead you’ll find a menagerie of animals to ride on, including an adorable panda munching on a piece of bamboo, a sumatran tiger, a silverback gorilla, a praying mantis, a poison dart frog, a tapir, an armadillo and even a mythical unicorn. in total, there are sixty six exquisitely carved animals and each one is a beautiful work of art.
the animals go around painted representations of california flora and fauna and spin to a sountrack of music supplied by the A&M record label, which was co-​founded by principal donor jerry moss. so instead of the usual nostalgic calliope, you’re treated to a wide range of music, including songs from the police, the carpenters, the go-​gos and captain and tennille, among others.
It’s a beautiful carousel, my favorite in the city, and three dollars gets you three minutes atop the animal of your choice.