Coney Island: New York’s Beach Destination
Coney Island is New York's seaside resort. Discover its endless beach, amusement park, and iconic boardwalk stretching over 4 km along the Atlantic Ocean.
What You Should Know About Coney Island
- Coney Island is a neighborhood in New York at the southern tip of Brooklyn, facing Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a completely different side of New York. Originally an island, it was connected to the mainland after the Civil War in 1865. The island is gone, but the name stuck!
- Coney Island consists of several neighborhoods: Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Oriental Beach, the little corner of paradise most familiar to tourists.
- The neighborhood has significant historical importance. After the Civil War, it became a wild destination during Prohibition and the roaring twenties. Follow the trail of Al Capone, the famous American mafia boss! Born in Brooklyn, young Al Capone was 18 when he was hired as a bartender and bouncer at the Harvard Inn. The nights were rowdy and fights were common. During one of these brawls, Capone received three scars on his left cheek, earning him the nickname Scarface.
- Today, this Brooklyn neighborhood offers a peaceful and surprising atmosphere compared to the rest of New York, thanks to its seaside character. A journey within a journey.
What to See and Do at Coney Island
- Walk the boardwalk, which stretches over 4.3 km (2.7 mi) along the beach. In summer, lay out your towel on the sand and take a dip in the Atlantic!
- Coney Island is home to a massive amusement park, Luna Park. The most famous attraction? The Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster that opened in 1927 and is now a historic landmark. Nearby stands the Wonder Wheel, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement, dating from 1920.
- Just next door, you’ll see the enormous building of the New York Aquarium. A large marine mural covers the facade. Inside, you can encounter more than 5,000 animals, from sharks to seahorses, penguins, walruses, rays, and jellyfish. The different marine environments are perfectly recreated.
- You can’t miss the silhouette of the Parachute Jump, a large red metal structure built in 1939. This installation once served as a training simulator for parachutists and has been preserved ever since. At night, it lights up! The New York Aquarium, open since 1957, is also worth a visit.
- Nathan’s is another must-visit, a hot dog institution since 1916. Every year on Independence Day, July 4, Nathan’s hosts a competitive eating contest for hot dogs. Bon appétit!
- In the evening, why not catch a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game? This team, affiliated with the New York Mets, plays in a stadium right next to Luna Park. The season runs from April through early September. Visit the Brooklyn Cyclones page to book your tickets.
Events at Coney Island
- The neighborhood stays lively year-round with numerous events. A nonprofit organization, Coney Island USA, was founded in the 1980s and continues to promote the neighborhood through a variety of activities.
- Among the must-see events, the Polar Bear Swim Club organizes its traditional New Year’s Day swim every January 1. You can jump in if you’re brave enough—or cold-hardy enough.
- Another major event is the Mermaid Parade, held every June since 1983 to celebrate the arrival of summer. It’s a colorful and playful spectacle!
- Since 2000, the neighborhood has had its own film festival, the Coney Island Film Festival, held every May.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best day to visit Coney Island?
Saturday and Sunday are the best days to experience Coney Island's atmosphere. New Yorkers flock to the boardwalk and beach, giving you a real slice of local life. Luna Park amusement park is also much more lively on weekends.
Do I have to visit Coney Island?
It depends on how long you're staying in New York. If you're here for less than 5 days, the round trip to Coney Island could eat up a lot of your time. If you're staying a week and the weather is nice, it's a worthwhile and unique outing. You'll see a different side of New York.
How do I get to Coney Island?
The subway is the most affordable way to reach Coney Island, though not the fastest. You can also take a taxi to save time on your trip to the far reaches of Brooklyn.
Practical Information
- Subway: From Manhattan, take the yellow line (N or Q) or the orange line (B, D, or F) to Coney Island Stillwell Avenue, the terminal facing the Atlantic Ocean. The ride takes about 30 minutes from Manhattan.
Coney Island in Photos
