Guide to Family Fun on Coney Island
Coney Island is the renowned amusement area in New York City, specifically in the borough of Brooklyn. When built, it was once the largest amusement area in the United States.
Coney Island still stands as the ultimate summer getaway in NYC, where families, both local, and tourist, can come for fun that never ends!
Psst… Here are the best Rainy Day Activities in NYC!
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
3059 Denos D. Vourderis Pl. (formerly W. 12th St.)
(718) 372-2592
The Wonder Wheel has actually stood next to the boardwalk even longer than the Cyclone. Riders have two options: the swinging red and blue cars, which appeal to the more adventurous, and the stationary white ones, for those who just want to enjoy the view.
Book tickets to the Spook-A-Rama, which is similar to a haunted house, where folks sit in wooden barrels and are taken on a spooky ride. Or enjoy colliding with fellow riders on the Bumper Cars.
If you have kids in tow, you should head to this Kiddie Park, filled with a carousel and many gentle rides for first-timers. Don’t forget to take pictures of your little ones on their first amusement park rides.
Foodies should head to Kitchen 21, a food hall style restaurant housed in the historic Childs Restaurant building.
Luna Park
1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 373-5862
A visit to Coney Island isn’t complete if you don’t visit Luna Park and its famous attractions.
If you live in NYC, then pay a visit to Luna Park or else you are missing out on a unique New York experience for you and the family. The adventures and attractions are worth the visit!
Rides
The Cyclone
834 Surf Ave
(718) 373-5862
When you think “Coney Island,” this roller coaster is likely the first image that comes to mind. The ride’s famous 85-foot first drop and a harrowing barrage of 60-mile-per-hour twists and turns have inspired extreme reactions of either fanatical devotion or lifelong terror since 1927.
It’s a must-visit summertime destination. Nothing offers a thrilling jolt of Brooklyn nostalgia quite like this ride. If you’re a roller coaster enthusiast, then you should definitely take a ride on the Cyclone!
The Thunderbolt
West 16th Street and the Boardwalk
The Thunderbolt, built in 2014, is first custom-built roller coaster to be constructed on the grounds since the Cyclone back in 1927.
The ride features 2,000 feet of steel track, a vertical lift (and a subsequent vertical drop of some 115 feet), a 100-foot loop and a corkscrew, and it’s a modern spin on the classic Coney Island coaster of the same name.
It occupies the same patch of turf next to the boardwalk as the first Thunderbolt—the corkscrew sectioned and heartline diving wooden roller coaster immortalized in the film Annie Hall.
The original was shut down in 1982, after nearly 60 years of operation, and demolished in 2000. However, the modern-day Thunderbolt is a one-of-a-kind thrill-ride you will never forget.
Leti’s Treasure
A wet and wild amusement park classic! The Leti’s Treasure at Luna Park roars with fun and excitement. Yet, it’s the safest river in Brooklyn to splash around in.
Enjoy one of the most popular summer attractions in NYC as you step aboard the log themed boats for a swift ride through winding troughs. This massive water ride features over 1200 feet of track, reaching speeds up to 30 mph and offers an iconic view of Coney Island’s shoreline!
Leti’s Treasure is a refreshing reason to put Luna Park at the top of your summer list of things to do in New York City for fun!
LUNA 360
Time stands still on this mesmerizing amusement ride! For those thirsty for a new panoramic perspective of Coney Island, the Luna 360 provides a breathtaking view as it swings through the air to a methodical beat.
Take your place in an outward facing seat, feel the deck drop below your feet and off you go on a rhythmic NYC thrill ride that swings like the pendulum of a grandfather clock on overdrive.
The rush of land and sky mesh as Luna 360 glides back and forth, sending riders to head over heels through g-force inducing dual swinging and fluid spinning motion.
It’s a Coney Island attraction that fills the air with screams of joy and lights up the night in a magical swirl of color. Grab your friends and experience it today at Luna Park!
WINDSTARZ
Take control of your ride on the latest attraction to make its world debut in Coney Island! WindstarZ feels like you’re hang gliding high above the Boardwalk.
With an interactive motion that lets you guide your flight using the direction of the wind, you’ll surely have a ride, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
CIRCUS COASTER
All aboard the Coney Island Circus Coaster! Capturing the excitement and anticipation of when the circus rolls into town, this colorful attraction is a roller coaster ride families can enjoy together.
Step right up and board the Circus Coaster as it begins its exciting climb. You’re setting off on a high-speed romp over a 500+-foot downhill course featuring a series of tight-turns, slopes and an exciting mid-course helix section.
Feel the wind whip through your hair and all the exhilaration of a junior roller coaster on this favorite Coney Island ride you’ll want to experience again and again.
Circus culture and roller coaster action come together on this popular NYC kids ride that isn’t clowning around.
SEASIDE SWING
Jubilant times await on this swinging kids ride New York City is famous for its playgrounds. But, Luna Park is the only place you’ll find anything like the Seaside Swing.
Choose your spot on the back-to-back bench seats, feel the breeze off the ocean as you rock into motion, swing high and reaching for the sky. It’s like your old-favorite park swing with added acceleration and a little airtime on an amusement park ride in Coney Island for kids of all ages.
There’s nothing more fun than swinging in the sun on the kiddie rides in Coney Island!
BROOKLYN BARGE
Set sail on the open seas in the rockin’ little tug boat. There’s nothing like feeling the salt water air on your face, and our Brooklyn Barge does not disappoint!
You’ll feel the fun of the waves as you rock back and forth, and if you’re worried the waves might be a little too choppy for you, it’s okay. This ride is perfect for all kinds of passengers.
Clockworkz and Atlantic Aviator
Two new rides have opened, in the last few years, as part of an expansion, Clockworkz, and Atlantic Aviator. Clockworkz is dubbed as a “family thrill ride.”
It is a 33-foot attraction that rotates on a vertical axis while its arms swing in circular motions at 13 revolutions per minute. Riders soar through the air as the clock’s arms move in opposite directions, the report said.
Atlantic Aviator is a 51-foot attraction suited for older thrill-seekers. Riders will have an experience similar to acrobatic airplane flight courtesy of loops, dips, and speeds of up to 25 revolutions per minute.
Games
There are tons of games for kids and all to play and win prizes! Water Racer, Hot Shots, Luna Arcade, Ring Toss and more!
Dining
Dining options that include burgers, fries, milkshakes, pizza, hot dogs, lemonade, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and seafood!
Get these and more at the following locations on the boardwalk: Nathan’s, Half Moon Food Court, Al Cavallino, Coney’s Cones and more.
Events
Coney Island Circus Sideshow
1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 372-5159
The Coney Island Circus Sideshow, also known as Sideshows by the Seashore, transports visitors to the old-time Coney Island of odd delights and freakish talents.
Cast members like sword swallower Betty Bloomerz and your fire-eating, sword-juggling host, Ray Valenz, have a jaw-dropping effect on viewers as they (along with a procession of special guests) perform amazing—and sometimes stomach-churning—feats by the ocean.
Celebrate the artistry of Coney Island freak show culture. If you are hungry for entertainment that’s beyond ordinary, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow delivers performances capable of taking your breath away.
Celebrating the storied legacy of legendary entertainers such as PT Barnum, Harry Houdini, the Ringling Bros, and Ripley’s Believe-It-or-Not. This new-age freak show in Coney Island pays tribute to the past while pushing the boundaries of alternative stage acts.
Seize your chance to catch the last traditional 10-in 1 sideshow featuring live professional sword swallowers, fire eaters and a diverse variety of alternative performers with unique physical attributes and talents that will blow your mind.
Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance
1904 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224
Remember and honor the brave responders who selflessly gave their lives to save others on September 11th, 2001.
Housed outside of MCU Park, the wall is comprised of three 30 x 12 foot granite walls, laser-engraved with images of the 346 firefighters, 37 Port Authority officers, 23 NYC police officers, 3 NYS officers, 1 fire patrol, first responders, and Sirius, a K-9 rescue dog who tragically lost their lives that day.
Their sacrifice and selflessness inspired millions around the world, like Sol Moglen who conceived the idea for a memorial in Coney Island.
Their portraits continue to remind of us of the resilience of New Yorkers and the work these heroes did to keep that resilience alive.
Locations of Interest
The Beach and the Boardwalk
Boardwalk West. Brooklyn, NY 11224
When the summer heat is blazing there is no better place to be than the nearly three-mile stretch of sea and sand visible from the adjacent boardwalk, where the boundless blue ocean stretches as far as the eye can see.
You can watch the happenings and or be part of the fun yourself. Didn’t come prepared with your own beach gear? That’s fine, Coney Island has got you covered with several shops that provide all you’ll need for your fun in the sun.
Williams Candy
1318 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 372-0302
Searching for dessert after a Nathan’s hot dog? Williams Candy, located next door, is the go-to choice. The second you step into the tiny shop, the smell of sugar practically punches you in the face and the scent of freshly made popcorn will soothe you.
The main attractions at the store are the candied Granny Smith apples. You could also get fudge, ice cream, and some much-ballyhooed caramel marshmallow sticks.
Much like the rest of Coney Island, this place caters more to your child, inner child than to any adult need. Williams Candy’s leaves many satisfied customers, no matter their age.
Brooklyn Cyclones
Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Ave
(718) 449-8497
The home of Brooklyn Baseball in Coney Island! Hailed as one of the best venues in all of minor league baseball, Maimonides Park provides a space for all types of events. Home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, check out their weekly schedule and watch them knock it out of the ballpark!
Celebrate with some post-game fireworks to finish off the night. When they’re not playing a game, guests enjoy the space as a live concert performance venue, hosting world-renowned artists like Bjork, Phish, Jay-Z and Daft Punk.
With great views no matter the seat, an abundance of concessions, and mesmerizing views at night, it’s a magical place to catch live events in NYC.
Coney Island Museum
1208 Surf Ave.
(718) 372-5159
History in Coney Island with a pulse. If you have ever wondered about Coney Island’s place in history, there’s a museum located in Coney Island USA at 1208 Surf Avenue that’s just for you.
Take a Brooklyn day trip worth writing home about to the Coney Island Museum (admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Kids and Seniors), where you’ll find a permanent collection of kooky keepsakes and artifacts including funhouse mirrors, rare hold-to-light postcards and a 3D-printed scale model of Coney Island’s original Luna Park.
It’s an experience that’s fun for the entire family and a great way to mix in a little culture and history in Coney Island’s amusement district.
Coney Island History Project
3059 W. 12th St.
(347) 702-8553
Also helping show off the history and heritage of the place, the Coney Island History Project is a decade-old organization that has an exhibition center located practically underneath the Wonder Wheel.
Located on West 12th Street at the entrance to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, admission is FREE! View the historic artifacts, pictures, maps, and films and travel back in time to Coney Islands’ glory days.
Share and preserve your own memories by recording an interview for the Oral History Archive or take a free souvenir photo with the Cyclops from Spook-A-Rama and an original Steeplechase horse from the legendary ride that gave Steeplechase Park its name.
New York Aquarium
602 Surf Ave.
(718) 265-3474
This aquarium remains a must-see destination on Coney Island’s celebrated boardwalk. Visitors will be charmed by all manner of sea life, including seals, red-bellied piranhas, and rays.
Get an underwater view of the abundant sea life on Glover’s Reef, take pictures of the lovable walruses lounging about at the Sea Cliffs exhibit and be sure to catch the interactive sea lion show at the outdoor Aquatheater.
As part of the largest network of metropolitan wildlife parks in the nation, this vital local institution provides an array of captivating programming experiences including a 4D theater, rotating special exhibits, educational kids camps and the ever-popular sea otter, penguin and walrus feedings.
Abe Stark Skating Arena
Boardwalk and West 19th Street. Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 253-8919
A Coney Island winter staple. The Abe Stark Rink is open for hockey each year from October through March. A favorite of schools, leagues and community members of all ages, this rink, which opened in 1970, offers private skating classes as well as public sessions.
