14 Fun Things to Do at Coney Island
Published 07/22/2021
In her memoir Just Kids, Patti Smith writes, “Just the idea that you could go to the ocean via subway was so magical.” She was talking about Coney Island, Brooklyn’s beachside neighborhood and home to the world-famous Luna Park, which opened in the early 1900s and, in its current incarnation, continues to welcome visitors today.
In an era of big-budget entertainment, Coney Island remains a holdout of old New York, with timeless rides like the Cyclone and the B&B Carousell and seemingly bygone relics like the circus sideshow.
Immortalized in pop culture—as the subject of Lou Reed’s “Coney Island Baby” and showing up as a setting in Oscar winner Anora—this neighborhood is like none other in the five boroughs. Follow this guide for a dose of modern history and technicolor fun.
1
Coney Island Boardwalk
1
1239 Riegelmann Boardwalk
First opened in 1923, this 2.7-mile-long boardwalk—also known as the Riegelmann Boardwalk—runs along the Brooklyn shoreline past many of the neighborhood’s beloved attractions.
2
Coney Island Circus Sideshow
2
1208 Surf Ave.
American sideshow traditions date back to the 1800s, and this theater in Coney Island, built in 1917, brings that tradition to the modern age. Also known as Sideshows by the Seashore, it’s the last permanent sideshow in the US, where seasoned performers execute daring tricks with aplomb. See gasp-inducing acts like sword swallowers, fire eaters and glass walkers.
3
Luna Park in Coney Island
3
1000 Surf Ave.
Luna Park was an amusement park in Coney Island that opened in 1903 and was destroyed in a fire in the 1940s. Taking the same name, the modern-day Luna Park is one of the neighborhood’s main draws, with all you’d expect from fairgrounds, right in Brooklyn. Ride some of its highlights (like the entry right below this one), feast on funnel cake at the Half Moon Food Court, win prizes in the arcade and take home memories from the souvenir shop.
4
The Cyclone
4
1000 Surf Ave.
The Coney Island Cyclone is not just a roller coaster—it’s an official New York City landmark that’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The wooden coaster, which debuted in 1927, has been documented in countless photographs and postcards, emblematic of both Coney Island and New York City itself. The Cyclone is the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world, taking passengers on a hair-raising 85-foot descent before launching into a 60-mile-per-hour thrill ride.
5
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
5
3059 W. 12th St.
Open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Deno’s is home to Coney Island’s oldest ride, the century-old Wonder Wheel. A spin on it offers excellent park and ocean views. There’s also the Phoenix, a roller coaster with an intimidating 60-foot drop.
6
Coney Island Museum
6
1208 Surf Ave.
Just five dollars earns you admission to the Coney Island Museum, the official institution housing amusement park ephemera. Current exhibitions include Five Cents to Dream Land—a project with the New York Transit Museum that explores the history of Coney Island—and various permanent displays such as shooting gallery targets and a mid-century studio photo booth.
7
Paul’s Daughter
7
1001 Riegelmann Boardwalk
Topped by large A&W Root Beer statues of Mama and Papa Burger, this boardwalk eatery also stands out for its blue-and-white-striped awning and colorful signage. The eponymous Paul’s daughter is Tina Georgoulakos, who took over from her father, the late Paul Georgoulakos, owner of the business when it was Gregory & Paul’s. Beachgoers hit the historic stand for classic boardwalk snacks, including cotton candy and fries, plus seafood bites like clams on the half shell and lobster rolls. Wash it all down with an ice-cold beer.
8
B&B Carousell
8
1615 Boardwalk West
For mild thrills, kids and kids at heart should take a turn atop one of 50 hand-carved wooden horses on this Luna Park carousel. As much a part of NYC history as the Cyclone, the B&B Carousell was built in 1906 and has been lovingly restored to its original splendor.
9
Brooklyn Cyclones
9
1904 Surf Ave.
New York City’s beloved minor league team is named after the iconic coaster operated by Luna Park in Coney Island—but it’s the Thunderbolt and old Parachute Jump that you can see from your stadium seats. The Brooklyn Cyclones are the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets and bring the action to Maimonides Park all season long. The park hosts theme nights such as Seinfeld Night, which typically includes Seinfeld-related bobbleheads, competitions and appearances by actors (usually secondary characters) from the show. Fireworks regularly follow Friday and Saturday night games.
10
New York Aquarium
10
602 Surf Ave.
This year-round attraction is dedicated to teaching us all about the world below the ocean surface. Check out the exhibit Spineless to catch a glimpse of a giant Pacific octopus, jellyfish and other aquatic invertebrates.
11
Nathan’s Famous
11
1310 Surf Ave.
NYC summer staple Nathan’s Famous serves the quintessential Coney Island hot dog and is the site of the world's best-known eating competition—the International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place every July 4.
12
Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk
12
3052 W 21st St.
The Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk opened in 2016, with the capacity to host 5,000 people for outdoor concerts; it’s part of a complex that includes the Seaside Park Community Arts Center—a stunningly restored Spanish colonial revival building with painted aquatic motifs. Summer performances for 2025 have begun to roll out; check here for the latest.
13
Ruby’s Bar & Grill
13
1213 Boardwalk West
This unassuming boardwalk bar offers comfort-food staples like burgers, pizza and hot dogs, not to mention plenty of refreshing beverages.
14
Gargiulo’s Restaurant
14
2911 W. 15th St.
Since 1907, this family-owned and -operated restaurant has been serving up authentic Italian dishes to residents and visitors; it is open every day except Tuesdays.