Top Things to See and Do in Coney Island

Crowded beach scene with people swimming, playing, and relaxing on the sand. Large rocks with green moss are in the foreground, and umbrellas and beach tents line the shore under a partly cloudy sky.

Coney Island Beach. Photo: Victor Llorente

Hit the Beach

Laying out on the sands of Coney Island Beach is a great way to catch the vibes of the area.

People walk along a lively boardwalk lined with food stands and amusement park rides at sunset, with colorful lights and signs glowing as the sky turns orange.

Coney Island Boardwalk. Photo: Brittany Petronella

Stroll Along the Boardwalk

There’s a lot to take in on the boardwalk, from old-timey places to grab cotton candy to the sounds of the nearby parks to plenty of people-watching.

A wooden roller coaster with a steep drop, filled with people in red cars, ascends against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

The Cyclone. Photo: Julienne Schaer

Enjoy Thrills on the Mighty Cyclone

The wooden Cyclone roller coaster has been around for nearly 100 years, eliciting screams from passengers as it dips and curves on its tracks.

A brightly lit Nathan’s Famous hot dog restaurant at dusk, with neon signs for seafood, clam bar, and delicatessen. People walk by on the sidewalk under the glowing lights.

Nathan's Famous. Photo: Matthew Penrod

Get a Bite at Nathan’s Famous

Nathan’s has been around seemingly forever, and is an essential stop for a hot dog. Each Fourth of July, it plays host to the country's most famous hot dog eating contest.

A person in a sparkling blue costume with raised arms faces a lively crowd on a boardwalk during a parade or festival. Spectators with cameras line both sides, and the scene is festive and colorful.

Mermaid Parade. Photo: Jonah Rosenberg

Meet New Friends at the Mermaid Parade

Each June, thousands dress up to make their way to ocean on this fashionable procession.

A large crowd watches a nighttime baseball game in an outdoor stadium under dark, cloudy skies, with bright stadium lights and colorful neon signs glowing in the background.

Brooklyn Cyclones. Photo: Jen Davis

Cheer on the Cyclones

You can’t beat a minor league baseball game in Coney Island, where promotional nights and fireworks are regular occurrences.

A performer stands on a dimly lit stage juggling two flaming torches. An audience watches from below. A colorful circus-themed banner hangs above the stage, which is decorated with props and a large chair.

Coney Island Circus Sideshow. Photo: Jen Davis

Make the Sideshow the Main Attraction

Fire eaters, sword swallowers and other performers provide entertainment at the throwback Coney Island Circus Sideshow.

A colorful Ferris wheel towers behind a row of bright amusement booths at Coney Island, with people walking by and a blue sky at dusk in the background.

Wonder Wheel. Photo: Brittany Petronella

Survey the Scene from Up High

Like the Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel has been thrilling riders seemingly forever. The view from when your cage reaches the top is a classic.

A ticket booth with "Tickets on sale here" in bold yellow letters stands outside a circus sideshow entrance. Signs advertise a freak show and live acts, with colorful banners and posters decorating the area.

Coney Island Museum. Photo: Jen Davis

Check Out Coney Island History

The Coney Island Museum exhibits ephemera, sponsors a film festival and tells the history of NYC’s summer playground.

A bright orange roller coaster loops upside down with riders in red cars, set against a clear blue sky. A colorful ferris wheel and amusement park signs are visible in the background.

Thunderbolt. Photo: Julienne Schaer

Take a Jaw-Dropping Ride

The Thunderbolt has a very steep drop—more or less vertical—and pays tribute to an old roller coaster that ran until the early 1980s.

Two women with walkers, wearing colorful hats and summer clothes, walk along a sunny boardwalk near Coney Island, with the red Parachute Jump ride and city buildings visible in the background.

Parachute Jump. Photo: Victor Llorente

See a Relic

Much of Coney Island feels old-school, including the towering Parachute Jump, an inoperative ride built for the World's Fair in Queens back in 1939 and now a boardwalk landmark.

Aerial view of a colorful amusement park near the beach at sunset, with roller coasters, rides, and a Ferris wheel. The ocean and a partly cloudy sky are in the background, and city buildings are on the right.

Luna Park. Photo: Jim McDonnell

Explore All of Luna Park

The amusement park is home to more than just roller coasters; it has nearly 40 rides, an arcade and plenty of other amusements.

Silhouettes of an adult and a child stand in front of a large aquarium tank, watching various fish swim among rocks under blue water illuminated by beams of light. The child points excitedly at the fish.

Courtesy, New York Aquarium

Take a Dive on the Wild Side

Down the boardwalk from the rides is NYC’s only aquarium outside of the zoos, known for its rays, sharks and seal and sea lion feedings.

People and a dog wade into the ocean on a sunny day. The group is wearing swimsuits and walking through shallow waves, with a pier and sailboat visible in the background.

Polar Bear Plunge. Photo: Julienne Schaer

Dip Your Toes In

Every New Year’s Day, members of the Polar Bear Swim Club—plus other thrill seekers—take a cold dip in the Atlantic.

Williams Candy shop storefront with a bright yellow sign advertising candy apples, ice cream, popcorn, and more. Outdoor seating and crowds are visible on the left. Other colorful shop signs surround the scene.

Courtesy, Williams Candy

Brings Some Sweets Home

The longstanding Williams Candy sweets shop is the place to stock up on caramel apples, cotton candy and much more.

A large sand sculpture on a beach features the words “Luna Park Coney Island New York” and “Cyclone,” with people relaxing and playing in the background near the ocean.

Sand Sculpting Competition. Photo: Alexander Thompson

Build a Castle Made of Sand

Every August, folks gather to create artistic works out of sand on the Coney Island Beach.

A tall, illuminated tower glows green next to a colorful, retro-style "PAROUSEL" sign on a cloudy evening at an amusement park, with lights reflecting off nearby surfaces.

B&B Carousell. Photo: Michelle Rick

Go Round in Circles on a Carousel

Another vintage ride (minus the scary parts), the B&B Carousell dates to the early 1900s—though has been moved and touched up since—and is pure family fun.