{"id":3036,"date":"2025-07-03T10:14:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T10:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newyorktour1.com\/blog\/?p=3036"},"modified":"2025-07-03T10:14:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T10:14:36","slug":"5-facts-coney-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/5-facts-coney-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s What You Didn\u2019t Know About Coney Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think of Coney Island, you\u2019re likely thinking of one of the amusement parks on the beach, but that\u2019s actually not Coney Island. Coney Island proper is a town in Brooklyn where thousands of New Yorkers live that just happens to include a beach. While there are some amusement parks there visited by many people each year, this lively town offers so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, I\u2019ll share a few interesting facts about this beachside town that you probably didn\u2019t know. I\u2019ll also include tips for visiting, like how to get there, where to eat, and some recommendations for things to do on Coney Island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facts about Coney Island that might surprise you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Entrance<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before we get to the visiting tips, let\u2019s dive a little more into the history of this unique New York island. Here are some facts I bet you never knew about Coney Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coney Island started out as a seaside resort in 1824<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Back in 1824, Coney Island began as a seaside resort in New York City. As the number of visitors grew, so did the number of attractions, which included restaurants, shops, racetracks, and the beach. Amusement parks, such as Sea Lion Park, Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland, became popular as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neighborhood of Coney Island can be found in the southern part of Brooklyn, and the Coney Island Peninsula contains Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, and Brighton Beach. It\u2019s here that visitors will find Coney Island Beach, as well as Luna Park \u2014 the amusement park most closely associated with Coney Island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider tip: <\/strong>As locals, we actually think the Coney Island Peninsula is one of the best beaches in the area<\/a> (specifically Brighton Beach), so don\u2019t sleep on it. It\u2019s definitely worth the long train ride out there!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to a million people would visit the beach each day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
Credit: Rhododendrites \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The resort got popular \u2014 some would say too <\/em>popular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address the problem of congestion, Brooklyn Borough President Edward Riegelmann embarked on a construction project on Coney Island. Boardwalk construction began in 1921 and was completed in 1923. The 80-foot-wide boardwalk is named in his honor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Coney Island boardwalk is about 2.7 miles long, serving both Coney Island and Brighton Beach, and it successfully draws foot traffic away from the roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 There is another, separate boardwalk in Manhattan Beach that\u2019s not connected to the Riegelmann Boardwalk, however, but you can take this path all the way to Manhattan Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boardwalk was designated a NYC landmark in 2018<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Group<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The city of New York bestowed the Riegelmann Boardwalk with the high honor in 2018 after years of rejection. Now more than 100 years old, it has stood the test of time, thanks to the city consistently maintaining it and ensuring that it has remained modern and safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though it was originally built with wooden planks, it has been updated with concrete and plastic in recent years to reinforce the structure. The landmark designation also means that the boardwalk \u2014 and everything it includes (like the light fixtures, railings, and even the sand under it) \u2014 are protected and will also continue to be maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to do on Coney Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cyclone<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re visiting New York during the summer, you absolutely must come down to Coney Island. It\u2019s a classic summertime NYC experience. Here are just a few of the things you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luna Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Luna Park is the biggest draw for Coney Island. The amusement park is the focal point for the neighborhood. Open since the late 1800s, this park draws people from all over for fun, games, and rides all summer long. Visitors can enjoy rides of all kinds (including some water rides, perfect for those steamy summer days).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Tour-guide-taking-photo-of-guests-in-Brooklyn-Bronx-Queens-Bus-Tour-1000×660\"\n\t\t\t\"Brooklyn\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeyond Manhattan to the heart of New York<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens in English<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

Ride wristbands can be purchased online<\/a> ahead of time for discounted pricing, which starts at $49 for one day per person. The park also has a schedule posted<\/a> so visitors can keep up to date with hours and plan accordingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local tip: <\/strong>Don\u2019t miss out on some of the most popular rides, including the Cyclone and the Thunder Bolt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York Aquarium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The New York Aquarium<\/a> at Coney Island is the oldest operating aquarium in the U.S. It\u2019s situated right on the boardwalk in Coney Island and features more than 500 species of wildlife. The aquarium first opened in Manhattan before moving to the Bronx, and then it eventually found its home here on Coney Island in 1957.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors can see everything from sharks to penguins, tiny fish to sea lions. There are daily aquatics shows as well. Tickets start at $25.95 per person, and children under 2 are free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cFirst Symphony of the Sea\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

White you\u2019re at the aquarium, notice the art outside. There\u2019s a 332-foot long concrete sculpture by artist Toshio Sasak. It covers a whole wall outside the building and was installed in 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wall features fish shapes of all kinds. In some places, it\u2019s obvious, while in other places, the designs are more abstract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the New York Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art<\/a> explains, the shapes get increasingly abstract as you walk, representing egg-like lifeforms or the ocean\u2019s waves. So as you walk along the wall, you can almost feel this primordial sense of the ocean\u2019s life-giving force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deno\u2019s Wonder Wheel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Wonder<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The fun never stops in Coney Island. That Ferris Wheel you spotted from the beach is yet another attraction calling your name \u2014 and it\u2019s called Deno\u2019s Wonder Wheel<\/a>. It\u2019s more than 100 years old, and you haven\u2019t done Coney Island right until you\u2019ve taken a spin on it. Literally.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local tip: <\/strong>Not all the cars move around, so if you\u2019re not into sitting in one of the cars that move, you don\u2019t have to.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boardwalk events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Nathan's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coney Island is the place to be during the summertime. Some famous events down at the beach include the annual Mermaid Parade, which is held in June, and Fourth of July festivities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independence Day is actually when the biggest competition of the year goes down: Nathan\u2019s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest<\/a>. It all happens each year on July 4 on Coney Island. There are also fireworks just off the beach for the holiday from 9-9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to eat in Coney Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You might think that if you\u2019re in Coney Island, the only thing to eat is amusement park food, but fear not! There\u2019s more to Coney Island than that. There are also some great options in surrounding areas too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you absolutely can\u2019t miss out on while you\u2019re in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n