Guide to Coney Island
At the top of almost every list of “Best Things to Do in NYC During the Summer” is “Visit Coney Island.” Coney Island is a trek from midtown Manhattan, so is a visit to Coney Island worth it? What is there to do at Coney Island? And, how do you get to Coney Island? We will examine all of these Coney Island questions and more, but spoiler alert: we definitely think Coney Island is worth it.
Brief History of Coney Island
The indigenous people of New York, the Lenape, called Coney Island Narrioach, which roughly translates to “Land Always in Light.” Because Coney Island has vast expanses of south-facing beaches, this seemed an apt name. What does “Coney” have to do with anything? Historians disagree on where the name Coney Island came from, but one theory is that it is the south point of Brooklyn, so it looks a bit like a cone. Another theory is that the Dutch dubbed it Conyne Eylandt because there were lots of rabbits there. (Conyne translating to rabbit.) It could also be named for the Konoi people who once lived there. (And sometimes, separate similar words just converge!)
Today, you will notice that Coney Island is not actually an island, but it once was. In the 1920s and ’30s, that land between Coney Island and Brooklyn was filled in. This was done to build the Belt Parkway for cars.
But skipping to the Belt Parkway skips over perhaps Coney Island’s most famous piece of history. Between 1880 and 1940, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the country! It was a getaway for Manhattan’s elite when they wanted to escape the stifling heat of pre-Air Conditioned Manhattan. Luna Park, which is still at Coney Island today, opened in 1903.
Best Things to Do at Coney Island
There are many things to do at Coney Island. Among the best things to do at Coney Island is a visit to Luna Park. Luna Park has graced Coney Island’s beaches since 1903. Today, it boasts many historic rides. The Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster that has been giving riders thrills at Coney Island since 1927! The Cyclone is both a New York City Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Dino’s Wonder Wheel is another must-do on Coney Island. It’s a giant ferris wheel and some of the cars rock back and forth for extra excitement. There are also newer scarier rides as well as kid-friendly rides.
What is an amusement park without a midway. Try your hand at ring tosses and the like at the Luna Park Midway. Then, to cool off, dip into the theatre to watch the Coney Island Circus Side Show. This family-friendly attraction features performances by sword swallowers, fire eaters, and more. Check the website for the schedule, but during the summer it tends to show 3 times a day in the afternoon.
Of course Coney Island has a beach and a boardwalk. Bring your swim suit to splash around in the waves and a towel to dry off. There are public bathrooms at Coney Island, but the cleaning crew may have difficulty keeping up with the crowd. The boardwalk is lined with restaurants ranging from fried clams and beer to Famous Nathan’s hot dogs.
Finally, visit the New York City Aquarium. Get face-to-face with sharks, delight in a sea lion show, and enjoy a 4-D movie about marine life. Wednesday afternoon tickets are reduced fare!
How to Get to Coney Island
While it might be tempting to hop in a taxi cab, the subway is often the easiest and fastest way to get to Coney Island. You want to take the NQF or D train to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue. It’s the last stop, so it’s easy to find. The trains should run every ten minutes to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue. Nine times out ten, this will significantly beat the driving traffic.
White you‘re at Coney Island, take advantage of the many photo opportunities. What could be better than putting a photo of your family freaking out on the Cyclone on a giant Times Square Billboard? You can appear on a Times Square Billboard for 24 hours for just $150! Check out the Welcome to Times Square website to learn more.