Coney Island is a classic and characteristic peninsular neighborhood located on the southwestern part of Brooklyn. It is famous for its an open-air amusement park and beach that many New York residents (and visitors!) holiday at. Not only is it an iconic place in the New York area, Coney Island is also undergoing a series of projects that will build more than 14,000 square meters of new leisure and entertainment attractions. The goal of these projects is to re-launch Coney Island, including its historic panoramic “Wonder Wheel” Ferris wheel and artistically-inspiring Luna Park.
Visiting Coney Island
Coney Island is a straight shot from Manhattan, taking only an hour to get to from Midtown on the subway.
In 2019 the classic rides at the amusement park are open from Saturday April 6 through Labor Day. The boardwalk and the beach are open year-round.
5 reasons to plan a day trip to Coney Island
1. Luna Park
Luna Park is where you go if you want to go on the rides. It has a free entry and you can pay a flat rate for unlimited access to the rides starting at $29. One of the most popular rides is the Coney Island Cyclone, the Mother of American roller coaster culture, that takes you along a 2,640 foot track with 12 drops and 27 elevation changes. Other popular rides are Zenobio, Sling Shot and Thunderbolt.
2. Food
A day trip to Coney Island is not complete without some tasty food! Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand is a must and a traditional spot to eat for Coney Island visitors. There is also Coney’s Cones for a gelato or sorbet, and plenty of stands on the boardwalk where you can pick up a pretzel or a slice of pizza.
3. Beach
There are almost three miles of beaches at Coney Island. They are famous for their history and also a favorite of the locals as they get you get to water and nature in such a short distance from the concrete jungle of city proper.
4. New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium is New York City’s only aquarium and is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States. Originally located in Battery Park, Manhattan, the aquarium has been located in Coney Island since 1957. It is a must-see, with playful sea lions and walruses, a shark tank, and Squirt, the Giant Pacific octopus.
5. Plenty of activities to do
If you want to get away from the crowds at the beach and/or amusement park, you can partake in another one of the activities around Coney Island. There are coastal forests and woodlands you can explore on foot or bike, sights where you can bird watch, or you can make an event out of attending a classic Coney Island Cyclone game.
These are just a few of the many things you can do on Coney Island. Plus, it is such a typical NYC thing and a classic destination spot that paying a visit is definitely worth it.
