It's no secret that we love all things French so when we heard that a restored vintage carnival from France called Fete Paradiso had taken up temporary residence right here in NYC, we had to check it out.
The carnival was not on the island of Manhattan, but on a tiny island just off the coast called Governors Island so the trip, in addition to a very long cab ride, necessitated a ferry ride. Needless to say, just the journey there was a highlight for Olin and it was Odette's first boat ride!
The carnival was not on the island of Manhattan, but on a tiny island just off the coast called Governors Island so the trip, in addition to a very long cab ride, necessitated a ferry ride. Needless to say, just the journey there was a highlight for Olin and it was Odette's first boat ride!
Although both kids seemed completely satisfied by just the ferry ride, we pressed on and made our way to the carnival. And oh my goodness, am I glad that we did because this carnival was pretty incredible. We immediately felt like we had been transported back in time to France in the 1800's as we stepped into the park. I honestly felt like I might see Toulouse-Lautrec painting the scene from an easel somewhere nearby. It was truly magical and a day that Josh and I will never forget.
Olin's very first carnival ride, The Dragon. In retrospect, it wasn't the best idea for us to let him pick the ride because it was by far the fastest of all and we had to ask them to stop the ride early when he got scared and wanted off. (Luckily, it was only Olin and Josh on the ride at the time!)
Recovering from The Dragon with a snack... lemon crepes, of course!
He also tried his hand at one of the games. I don't think we are ready for the big leagues quite yet, but he got an "A" for effort.
She rode her first carnival ride too, which was appropriately, the pink chariot on the carousel.
She loved it so much, she rode it again with Daddy and Olin...
Olin made no secret as to his favorite ride though. This little orange bus stole his heart and we didn't hear about much else after he discovered it.
Lunch time! There were no funnel cakes, but we did have a pretty delicious Croque Monsieur and the entertainment during lunch was kind of amazing. Pre-kids, Josh and I would have probably sat there listening to french music and drinking wine (yes, they had wine - it truly was our kind of carnival) for hours! Alas, Olin gave us a generous thirty minutes.
Next, something a little more our speed, the carousel...
He also tried his hand at one of the games. I don't think we are ready for the big leagues quite yet, but he got an "A" for effort.
And little miss Odette was as sweet as ever...
She rode her first carnival ride too, which was appropriately, the pink chariot on the carousel.
Olin made no secret as to his favorite ride though. This little orange bus stole his heart and we didn't hear about much else after he discovered it.
Lunch time! There were no funnel cakes, but we did have a pretty delicious Croque Monsieur and the entertainment during lunch was kind of amazing. Pre-kids, Josh and I would have probably sat there listening to french music and drinking wine (yes, they had wine - it truly was our kind of carnival) for hours! Alas, Olin gave us a generous thirty minutes.
And a teeny-tiny video of Olin on his aforementioned favorite ride, which he had to ride twice, but would have rode all day if we would have let him. He had to be pried out of that bus both times by the ride operator. It was kind of embarrassing for the whole family.
C'est tout! Merci beaucoup, Fete Paradiso!
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