The Carousel Center 35th Anniversary: 

Join us as we celebrate 35 years of Carousel Center, now known as Destiny USA, on Wednesday, October 15th, from 3 PM to 7 PM!

This milestone celebration will be filled with excitement for all ages, featuring a live DJ, delicious treats, interactive games, and plenty of giveaways. Be sure to capture the moment at our anniversary photo booth and take home an exclusive 35th anniversary t-shirt, available only at this event.

RSVP today and join us as we honor our history, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future together.

Are you Curious about the evolution of your mall? 

The story of Destiny USA began on October 15, 1990, when Carousel Center opened its doors with 120 stores and a distinctive mix of discount and upscale department retailers. At the heart of the mall stood a beautifully restored antique carousel, Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) No. 18, which inspired the center’s name and quickly became a beloved family gathering spot.

For 15 years, Carousel Center thrived as Central New York’s premier shopping destination. In 2005, Pyramid Management Group announced plans to expand and evolve the property. The next chapter officially began on August 2, 2012, when Carousel Center was reborn as Destiny USA, blending shopping, dining, and entertainment into a one-of-a-kind experience for the community and visitors alike.

The History of our Antique Carousel:

Carousel No. 18 is more than just a ride; it is a piece of history. Hand-carved in 1909 by master craftsman Leo Zoller of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the carousel features 42 intricately detailed horses. It was originally installed at Roseland Park in Canandaigua, New York, where it delighted visitors for 43 years until the park closed in 1985.

That same year, The Pyramid Companies purchased the carousel for $397,500, preserving it from being lost to time. Over two years, it was meticulously restored: every horse was stripped, repaired, and repainted in its original 1909 colors, while modern mechanical and electrical systems were added to meet safety standards. Today, fully ADA-accessible and proudly displayed on the second level of Destiny USA, Carousel No. 18 continues to bring joy to new generations while honoring its storied past.

Carousel Center Then: 

When Carousel Center opened in 1990, Syracuse gained more than a mall; it gained a community landmark. Families came for shopping, movies, food-court favorites, and of course, a ride on the carousel. Teens made it their after-school hangout, while holiday shopping became an all-day tradition.

From the start, Carousel Center was a place where Central New Yorkers created memories. It drew visitors from across the region, offering something fresh, exciting, and bigger than anything the area had seen before.

Destiny USA Now: 

The transition from Carousel Center to Destiny USA transformed Syracuse’s favorite mall into one of the largest in the country. Today, Destiny USA is the eighth largest mall in the United States and is more than just a shopping destination.

With outlet stores, sit-down restaurants, and attractions like indoor go-karts, the country’s largest suspended ropes course, and a state-of-the-art movie theater, it is a place where visitors can spend an entire day under one roof. Families celebrate birthdays, friends meet up on rainy days, and travelers make it part of their trip to Syracuse.

Destiny USA now welcomes millions of guests each year, serving both as a tourism magnet and a community hub. At its core, the spirit of the original Carousel Center, symbolized by the timeless Carousel No. 18, continues to spin, connecting past and present in a place where memories are made.

Original Tenants: 

Let’s take time to celebrate some of our original tenants that have evolved with us over the years!

-American Eagle
-Ann Taylor
-Auntie Anne’s
-Claire’s
-Gertrude Hawk
-GNC
-Lane Bryant
-Sbarro
-Spencers
-The Children’s Place
-Victoria’s Secret
-Syracuse’s Original CarmelCorn