Coney Island is an icon of the East Coast, located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn in New York City. It is a peninsula that has been a popular vacation destination for decades due to its proximity to the city and beaches, development as a resort area, amusement parks and other attractions.
The legacy of Coney Island began in 1829 with the construction of the Coney Island Hotel. Over the years Coney Island has seen times of prosperity and neglect, but it is still a favorite destination for many people and has provided valuable memories of family fun for generations. It has been home to a number of amusement parks, namely Luna Park, Dreamland, Astroland and Steeplechase Park. Today it is also home to MCU Park and the Cyclones minor league baseball team, and the New York Aquarium in addition to a variety of independently owned rides, games and sideshows.
Three of Coney Island’s rides are protected as New York City landmarks and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone roller coaster, and the Parachute Jump.
The Wonder Wheel is a steel Ferris wheel that opened in 1920 and stands 150 feet tall. It holds 144 riders and is part of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park today. The Cyclone roller coaster was constructed in 1927 and is one of the country’s oldest wooden coasters still operating. It includes an 85-foot, 60-degree drop and is owned by the city. The Parachute Jump was originally the Life Savers Parachute Jump at the 1939 New York World's Fair and was the first of its kind. The ride has been closed since 1968, though it was refurbished in 2004.
No trip to Coney Island would be complete without a stop at the New York Aquarium, which is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States. The aquarium is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society which also operates the Bronx Zoo. The facility occupies 14 acres and boasts over 350 species of aquatic wildlife.
The Coney Island of today is undergoing an urban renewal and is still a popular destination for visitors. Create memories that last a lifetime with a trip to the New York Aquarium and a ride on the Wonder Wheel when you visit Coney Island.
