UPDATED MARCH 2016: When imagining a traditional New York City summer, chances are that the famous boardwalk and beach of Coney Island come to mind. With the world-famous Cyclone rollercoaster, Nathan’s hotdogs, the annual Mermaid Parade, the New York Aquarium, the Sideshow, and Coney Island Museum, it’s easy to see why this destination remains a summer favorite.

Historic Amusement Park Area

One of the main attractions in Coney Island is the Cyclone, one of the only continually operated wooden coasters in the nation. Listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places, it occupies the space that once held the world’s very first rollercoaster.

Deno Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, located on the boardwalk, features 25 rides including the famous 150-foot high Wonder Wheel, as well as two arcades, an old fashioned Sweet Shoppe, live entertainment, karaoke, kiddie rides, and more. 

Special Summer Events

The New York Aquarium is always a great opportunity to take part in penguin, sea otter, and walrus feedings, watch a show at the Aquatheater, and see sharks and all of the other marine animals.

See the famous Mermaid Parade on June 18, starting at 1pm on West 21st Street and Surf Avenue. This is the largest art parde in the country and celebrates ancient mythology and sea creatures.  

Don’t miss the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place each year on July 4 at noon at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues; and the annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Contest, which will be TBA.

The Coney Island Circus Sideshow is a 10-in-one circus show that performs Wednesday-Sunday from June 10–September 5 at Sideshows by the Seashore, located at Surf Avenue and West 12th Street. Fireworks will be displayed every Friday night between June and August 9:30pm.

RELATED: 5 Reasons We Love Coney Island

Want to Go?

Where: 1000 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn
When: Through Labor Day, rides and attractions are generally open daily, weekdays at noon through the late evening, and weekends from noon to the early morning hours.

Beach and boardwalk are open year round; lifeguards on duty Memorial Day-Labor Day.

• Nathan’s: Open almost every day of the year.
• New York Aquarium: Open almost every day of the year.
• Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park: Open daily 11am-midnight, Memorial Day-Labor Day; noon-9pm weekends and holidays April-May and September-October.
• The Coney Island Museum, located on 1208 Surf Avenue between Stillwell and West 12th Street, is open weekends 12pm-5pm.
• Sideshows by the Seashore: Generally open Wednesday-Sunday, weekdays 2-8pm and weekends and holidays 1-9pm. Hours subject to weather conditions and the size of the crowd.
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’s Coney Island: Boom a Ring: Thursday-Sunday June 17-September 7. Check website for show times and special offers including “Baby’s First Circus” program.

Prices:

• Cyclone: $9
• New York Aquarium: $11.95 at gate; $10.75 online; FREE for children 2 and younger
• Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park: $7; $30 Thunderbolt
• Coney Island Museum: $5; $3 seniors and for children younger than 12
• Sideshows by the Seashore: $10; $5 for children younger than 12

How to get there: Take the D, Q, N, or F train to the last stop, Stillwell Avenue. By car, take the Belt Parkway to Exit 6, Cropsey Avenue, to West 17th Street, to Keyspan Park and the Parachute Jump. Street parking or use parking lots on West 17th Street and West 12th between Mermaid and Surf, or West 15th Street between the boardwalk and Surf, and on Neptune Avenue between West 12th and Stillwell.

For more information: 718-372-5159, info@coneyisland.com, or coneyisland.com.

RELATED: 20 Things to Do in Summer in New York City

Sign up for our newsletter to read more stories like this.