Coney Island: Things to Do at the Playground of the World
Rides, beach, boardwalk and hot dogs at the southern tip of Brooklyn.
Plan a New York TripConey Island Things to Do
At the southern tip of Brooklyn, Coney Island has been New York’s summer escape for well over a century — the place once called the Playground of the World. The list of Coney Island things to do is still long: a landmark wooden roller coaster from 1927, a Ferris wheel from 1920, a wide public beach and boardwalk, the New York Aquarium, minor-league baseball, a sideshow, and the hot dog stand that made the place famous.
This guide covers it all: the history, the rides, the beach, the food, the big annual events and how to get there by subway. It is written for first-time visitors and New Yorkers alike.
Ride the classics
The Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel and the newer coasters of Luna Park.
Hit the beach
Miles of sand and the Riegelmann Boardwalk, free and open to all.
Eat a hot dog
Nathan’s, boardwalk clam bars and the story of the Coney dog.
Catch an event
The Mermaid Parade, the Fourth of July hot dog contest and summer fireworks.
Learn the history
Steeplechase, Luna Park and Dreamland, and how Coney Island came back.
Get there
Four subway lines end at the beach. Tips for timing your day.
A Perfect Day at Coney Island
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| Morning | Arrive early, walk the boardwalk while it is quiet and visit the New York Aquarium |
| Midday | Hot dogs at Nathan’s on Surf Avenue, then the beach |
| Afternoon | Rides: the Cyclone first while lines are short, then the Wonder Wheel and Luna Park |
| Evening | A Brooklyn Cyclones game at Maimonides Park, or the sideshow, then the lights on the boardwalk |
The Cyclone
A wooden coaster from 1927 and a New York City landmark. Short, rough and unforgettable.
Rides and parks →
The boardwalk
Opened in the early 1920s, it runs along the beach from Coney Island to Brighton Beach.
Beach and boardwalk →
Summer nights
Neon, fireworks and the Mermaid Parade make Coney Island at its best after dark.
Events →Coney Island With Kids, Teens and Grown-Ups
Little kids love Deno’s kiddie rides, the aquarium, the sand and the carousel. Teens head for the coasters and thrill rides at Luna Park. Adults come for the history, the Coney Island Museum and sideshow, a ballgame, the beach and a beer on the boardwalk. Everyone ends up at Nathan’s.
Coney Island is part of a bigger New York trip. See and Do NY covers Brooklyn, Manhattan and the outer boroughs, and 101 Things To Do in New York has hundreds more ideas across the city.
Coney Island Questions
Why is Coney Island called the Playground of the World?
At the start of the 20th century Coney Island had the biggest concentration of amusement parks in the world — Steeplechase, Luna Park and Dreamland — and drew huge crowds from New York and abroad. “Playground of the World” was one of several playground nicknames it earned in that era. Read the history.
Is Coney Island free?
The beach and the boardwalk are free and open to everyone. You pay for rides, the aquarium, the sideshow, ballgames and food. Rides are paid individually or with passes or cards sold by each park.
When is Coney Island open?
The beach and boardwalk are public all year. The amusement parks run mainly from spring to fall, with the longest hours in summer, and lifeguards are on duty during the city’s beach season. Check each park and NYC Parks for current dates.
How long does it take to get to Coney Island from Manhattan?
About an hour by subway from Midtown. The D, F, N and Q trains all end at Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue.
Plan Your New York Trip
Coming from out of town? A travel specialist can put together hotels, flights and tickets for a New York trip that includes a day at the beach in Brooklyn. Compare hotels on Rooms Cheap, and for official visitor information see New York City Tourism.
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