Coney Island
Updated January 6, 2026 -- Honky-tonk paradise, Coney Island has been rescued from extinction a few times (first from developers and most recently from severe Hurricane Sandy damage). Parts of it have been upgraded, but it’s still possible to ride some of the classic attractions from times past, including the Cyclone (a huge wooden roller coaster, one of the scariest you’ll ever ride because you’ll do so with the knowledge that nearly a dozen people have been killed on it over the years), and the Wonder Wheel (a Ferris wheel with gliding compartments). Luna Park now has a ropes course, perfect for active teens and tweens.
If you visit in summer, don’t skip the Coney Island Circus Sideshow (formerly known as the Freak Show), which features a "human pincushion", a snake charmer, a man who hammers nails up his nose, and other odd performers. It’s one of the last shows of its kind in the U.S., and though it sounds unsavory, it’s G-rated.
Then there’s the beach itself, a motley swatch of sand where gaggles of Brooklynites gather in summer to pitch umbrellas, practice kung fu, blast music, picnic, and swim. It’s a fascinating social scene, with many different ethnic groups represented. Note: Luna Park recently expanded to add a darn good ropes-and-zipline course, perfect for active tweens and teens.
Updated January 6, 2026 -- Honky-tonk paradise, Coney Island has been rescued from extinction a few times (first from developers and most recently from severe Hurricane Sandy damage). Parts of it have been upgraded, but it’s still possible to ride some of the classic attractions from times past, including the Cyclone (a huge wooden roller coaster, one of the scariest you’ll ever ride because you’ll do so with the knowledge that nearly a dozen people have been killed on it over the years), and the Wonder Wheel (a Ferris wheel with gliding compartments). Luna Park now has a ropes course, perfect for active teens and tweens.
If you visit in summer, don’t skip the Coney Island Circus Sideshow (formerly known as the Freak Show), which features a "human pincushion", a snake charmer, a man who hammers nails up his nose, and other odd performers. It’s one of the last shows of its kind in the U.S., and though it sounds unsavory, it’s G-rated.
Then there’s the beach itself, a motley swatch of sand where gaggles of Brooklynites gather in summer to pitch umbrellas, practice kung fu, blast music, picnic, and swim. It’s a fascinating social scene, with many different ethnic groups represented. Note: Luna Park recently expanded to add a darn good ropes-and-zipline course, perfect for active tweens and teens.
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