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A Day on Coney Island: 9 Things You Gotta Do Cause It’s Tradition


Coney Island—it’s a mood.

Perched on Brooklyn’s southwestern edge, this place ain’t just a neighborhood, it’s a living, breathing carnival of nostalgia, grit, and deep-fried grub.

Step off the subway, and the salt air smacks you first, thick with hot dogs and ocean brine. Seagulls hustle for scraps and the Wonder Wheel rattles a lullaby. It’s where kids clutch sticky cotton candy and wide-eyed tourists snap selfies under neon lights.

Now Luna Park comes roaring back. The park’s reopening in March 2025, so plan your trip ahead. Here’s why such places never really fade.

They Call It The Big Momma

Feeling like falling headfirst into the Atlantic?

That’s the Cyclone. It’s been operating since 1927. That first drop goes 85 feet down at a nearly 60-degree angle. It’s a gut punch of pure adrenaline.

The Cyclone reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, providing riders with an intense and thrilling experience. Third car, fourth row? This sweet spot hits differently at sunset.

If you’re feeling bold, try the Thunderbolt. This steel roller coaster will drop you at a 90-degree steep, take you through inversions, and roll down into turns.

Don’t Scream Too Much

Welcome to Coney Island’s new four-ride Scream Zone. Right next to the iconic Wonder Wheel, the boardwalk only adds to the atmosphere.

The Sling Shot at the Scream Zone will make you scream. It must be quite the adrenaline rush to be launched 150 feet up and then free-fall back to the ground, only to be flung up again, momentum building, heart pounding, and adrenaline kicking in.

Nothing cools you down faster than the wind in your face and the thrill of the ride. Once your legs stop quivering, hit up the Gift Shop on the first floor if you want to snag some classic Coney-themed tees.

Stroll the Boardwalk

This 2.5-mile stretch has seen plenty of sunburned shoulders, dripping ice cream cones, and the rhythmic slap of waves washing ashore since 1923.

As soon as you hit wood, a dizzying mix of sky-high rides, the salty breeze, and that endless view of the Atlantic Ocean stretches out to the horizon.

Take a stroll past “The First Symphony of the Sea.” Installed in 1993, this 300-foot-long sculpture wall is a love letter to the ocean. It’s a hub for everything like the quirky annual Sand Sculpting Competition.

At the end of your tour, drop by the Freak Bar. The place screams vintage arcade games with a jukebox that never stops jumping and the legendary Tchotchke Wall —if you haven’t already met the Sideshow Cat, their unofficial mascot.

Visit the New York Aquarium

New York Aquarium has been wowing for generations, but its latest showstopper? A sprawling, award-winning exhibit that’s as immersive as it gets.

We’re talking 500,000 gallons of water teeming with life. Step inside, and suddenly you’re just nine inches away from 18 species of sharks—sleek, silent hunters cruising through the blue, along with a hundred other marine creatures.

Start with Glover’s Reef, where a massive underwater viewing area gives you a front-row seat to schools of marine life. Then, head over to the Sea Cliffs exhibit, where harbor seals, sea otters, and penguins put on their own kind of show.

The Aquatheater offers that perfect blend of interactive fun and adorable sea lions. Press up against the glass, and feel that primal thrill. Book ahead, ‘cause everyone wants in.

Catch a Game at MCU Park

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the start of beach season. When summer hits, hop on an amusement ride, take a swim, or just stretch out on nearly three miles of sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing.

If you’re looking to get active, the courts for beach volleyball, handball, and basketball are always ready for a game. Catch a Brooklyn Cyclones game at MCU Park (formerly KeySpan Park) in the heart of Coney Island, where the minor league Mets take the field.

The surrounding areas offer sanity too. Head toward Brighton Beach—that’s where the locals chill. Oh, and if you see people digging in the sand like they lost something, they’re hunting for antique tokens from old Luna Park.

Enjoy the Food at Nathan’s Famous

Nathan’s Famous is still holding strong at the corner of Stillwell and Surf Avenues, just like it has since 1916.

Back then, they were selling hot dogs for just a nickel each. They’re still serving up the classic New York-style hot dog, though—topped with onions in a tangy, spicy tomato sauce or sauerkraut. And of course, the official condiment is mustard.

But if you really wanna eat like a local, find Pete’s Clam Stop—a little shack near the Cyclone, serving up fried clams that’ll make you rethink your life choices. And here’s a secret menu tip: ask for the Coney Island Sunrise—hot dog, fried egg, hot sauce.

Ultimate hangover cure.

Check Out the Coney Island History Project

The Coney Island History Project (founded in 2004) preserves the chaos and charm of a legacy that started with a portable recording booth on the Boardwalk.

The Project actively documents this through photography, posters, and artifacts that tell the tale of Coney Island’s evolution. You’ll also find oral history interviews on display and a special spot for the Coney Island Hall of Fame.

Hit the Coney Island Museum during a full moon. They do these late-night tours where they pull out the really strange stuff—artifacts from the old freak shows, forgotten carnival oddities. It’s half history, half fever dream.

Catch a Side Show at the Coney Island Amphitheater

The Seaside Park and Community Arts Center brings together the best of both worlds: a vibrant park, a cutting-edge arts center, and—the best parking in all of Coney Island.

Inside, the Coney Island Amphitheater, a premier outdoor venue with 5,000 seats and a covered open-air design, is the first of its kind in the Tri-State area. Fun fact: The Amphitheater stage is built from reclaimed wood from the old Thunderbolt coaster.

If you want classic Coney weirdness, catch the Sideshows by the Seashore: sword swallowers, fire breathers, contortionists, silks, and clowns, you name it.

Join the 43rd Annual Mermaid Parade

The Mermaid Parade is the nation’s biggest art parade, a massive display of pure creativity from people across all five boroughs, and all walks of life.

Since 1983, it’s pulled in hundreds of thousands. The whole thing’s got its roots in the old-school Mardi Gras parades, but over the years, the people turned it into something fresh, something of their own.

There’s the regal King Neptune and the Queen Mermaid leading the charge. Then there are fantastical sea creatures, marching bands, and dancers bringing the dream to life. You’ll even spot baby strollers decked out like floats.

The post A Day on Coney Island: 9 Things You Gotta Do Cause It’s Tradition appeared first on When In Your State.



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