Island Adventures

Chances are you’ve gotten wind of
the resurgence in Coney Island as a great family day trip (though in truth it’s been going
on now for a while). %uFFFDIf you haven’t gone, go! %uFFFDIf you’ve gone, go again—and
this time plan to have dinner in Brighton Beach or Sheepshead Bay.%uFFFD Our editor is a wee
bit of an advocate on this front since he grew up nearby, and here are his crib
notes for a family day in Coney. —

The Boardwalk – %uFFFDWalk west to the Coney Island
Pier and check out the old-timers %uFFFDfishing off the pier—they
(usually) love chatting with kids.%uFFFD%uFFFD Walk east to Brighton.%uFFFD%uFFFD Whichever way you
walk chances are you’ll find an entertaining assortment of NYC characters
and street life (or in this case beach life).

Circus With A Side Of Freaks %uFFFD– Not only have the
%uFFFDRingling Bros. returned for another summer, Coney has its classic
long-running side show of freaks and garish wonders called the Sideshow by
the Seashore.

The Return of%uFFFD Luna Park – Back in its heyday Coney Island was not one but two amusement
parks; the other classic was called Luna Park. %uFFFDA new incarnation of
Luna opened this summer with a lot of fun rides for little kids.%uFFFD

The Aquarium –%uFFFD There’s something about taking a
kid to a live show at an Aquarium that always works, especially if the sea
lions decide to splash you. Insider tip: If you’re
coming to CI for the whole day and you’re driving, come EARLY and make the
Aquarium parking lot your spot for the day.

Nathan’s Famous –%uFFFD Hot Dogs, yes. The
French Fries are classic too.

The original
Totonno’s Pizza—widely recognized as one of the great pizza makers in the city
(if you like thin and crispy) %uFFFDhas re-opened after a fire.%uFFFD
%uFFFD%uFFFD

Brooklyn Cyclones – What’s not to love about
minor league baseball, especially at a great park that’s a line drive from the
boardwalk?%uFFFD

The Cyclone –%uFFFD Whether it’s a rite of passage, or continuing pleasure,
for thrillists there’s something deeply special about being on American’s first
great roller coaster.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park – More rides and side
attractions, anchored by one 0f the greatest Wheels ever.%uFFFD Worth a
spin, gentle riding makes it right for most kids.

If you end up in Brighton, there are Russian
restaurants on the boardwalk (one of which has a spectacular aquarium built
into the floor) and there’s a lot more on and off Brighton Beach Avenue. Primorski is an old favorite, but
do some research.%uFFFD

By the way,%uFFFD outsiders come
by day,%uFFFD but Coney and Brighton are deep pleasures at night, when it’s
cooler and you can hear the tides and boardwalk is both alive with strolling
but still mellower in vibe.%uFFFD (If you pass by the massive Oceana
Condos complex in Brighton (near Coney Island Avenue), think of the Brighton Beach Baths
and days of yore.

Sheepshead Bay is not too far away.%uFFFD Great
for early evening strolls, seafood shacks, and Roller Roaster…..fast food done
right.

And there’s Manhattan Beach.%uFFFD Great if you have a car and
come early to take advantage of it’s parking lot.%uFFFD It’s a public beach
east of Brighton, in one of the cities rare
neighborhoods of affluent private homes.%uFFFD%uFFFD%uFFFD