Coney Island

The basics

Wading into the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island is a quintessential New York experience. Visitors can book a day pass for Luna Park amusement park and try out retro rides, such as the antique B&B Carousell and the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster that dates back to 1927, as well as playing classic arcade games like Whac-a-Mole.

You can explore the area on walking tours, guided sightseeing and pizza-themed tours of Brooklyn, as well as on multi-borough tours that hop between neighborhoods in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. The area can also be seen from the water on Jet Ski tours and from the air during helicopter tours over NYC.

Things to know before you go

• Coney Island is a must for fans of kitsch and Americana.

• Public bathrooms can be found at the beach.

• The boardwalk is wheelchair-accessible, as is the beach. Beach mats are set up at West 33rd Street, Stillwell Avenue, and West Fifth Street.

• The neighborhood is free to visit, but you’ll need Luna Park at Coney Island tickets to hit the rides.

How to get there

Coney Island is in the borough of Brooklyn. To get there, ride the D, Q, N, or F train to the last stop: Stillwell Avenue. The station is just a block away from the boardwalk.

When to get there

When New York heats up, this “island” draws crowds. Get there early in the day to secure a spot near the water. Swimming is only allowed when lifeguards are on duty: between 10am and 6pm, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Events at Coney Island

Coney Island is the setting for many exciting events. There’s May’s Popular Brooklyn Half, a half-marathon with a finish line on the boardwalk; the glitter-fueled fun of June’s Mermaid Parade; and Nathan’s Famous Annual Hot Dog–Eating Contest on July 4. There are also fireworks every Friday night from late June until Labor Day, and the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, during which swimmers brave the freezing Atlantic waters.

Is it free to visit Coney Island?

Yes. There’s no admission charge to the Coney Island Boardwalk or the beach so you can stroll, shop, and munch without buying tickets. However, most travelers will want to enjoy attractions like the Luna Park theme park, the Cyclone roller coaster, and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, so costs tend to add up.

What is the best day to go to Coney Island?

That depends on the time of year. During most of April, May, September, and October, Coney Island’s rides and attractions only operate on weekends, so you’ll want to visit on a Saturday or a Sunday. During the summer vacation months, you’ll likely find the shortest lines early in the week.

Can cars enter Coney Island?

Yes. You can take your car to Coney Island, although many travelers find public transit, taxis, or rideshares easier than self-driving. There is official parking from morning to evening at the lot by the Maimonides Park baseball stadium, plus other parking lots along Surf Avenue, the area’s main drag.

How do you spend a day at Coney Island?

Start with a stroll along the boardwalk, one of New York’s top people-watching locations, then eat an original Nathan’s Famous hot dog. In the afternoon, ride the Cyclone, a roller coaster dating back to 1927, then catch the Coney Island Circus Sideshow—plus a Brooklyn Cyclones game, if schedules allow.

Is Coney Island worth visiting?

Yes. If you’re visiting New York during the summer, this classic old-school urban beach resort offers something for adults and kids alike. Instagrammers will love the photo ops, from art walls to sideshow performers. Note that Coney Island is quieter during the shoulder season and completely dead between Halloween and Easter.

Can you walk on the Coney Island boardwalk?

Yes. Coney Island Boardwalk (technically, the Riegelmann Boardwalk) was first built in 1923, and a stroll on this historic pathway is an essential part of any visit to Coney Island—and it’s free. Sections of the boardwalk are not in perfect repair, so watch your footing while you’re watching the people.

Ways to explore

Wading into the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island is a quintessential New York City experience. Visitors can buy a wristband for Luna Park amusement park and try out retro rides, including the wooden circa-1927 Cyclone roller coaster, and classic arcade games. You can explore the area independently or on walking tours, guided sightseeing, and pizza-themed tours of Brooklyn. Or, take a multi-borough tour that includes neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Coney Island can also be seen from the water on Jet Ski tours and from the air on helicopter tours over NYC.

Accessibility

Much of Coney Island is accessible, with boardwalks along the seafront, beach mats for wheelchairs, and some accessible restrooms.

Age limits

Some Luna Park rides have minimum height restrictions

What to pack

Sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, beach toys

What to wear

Sun hat, slip-off shoes, jacket

Not allowed

Smoking, alcohol, snorkels, fins, glass bottles

Amenities

Restrooms along the boardwalk

Address

Coney Island is in southern Brooklyn, about 14 miles (22 kilometers) south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite its name, Coney Island is a peninsula rather than a true island. Get there on a tour, by car, or on the subway.

Driving

From lower Manhattan, follow I-478 via the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to I-278 W and take the Belt Parkway/Leif Ericson Drive to Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. Take exit 7 from Belt Pkwy/Leif Ericson Dr/Shore Pkwy. Take Ocean Parkway to Sea Breeze Avenue. From other northern parts of Brooklyn, take the Prospect Expressway and then the Ocean Parkway south to Coney Island.

Public transportation

The closest subway station to most attractions is Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue (D, F, N, and Q trains). The journey takes about one hour from midtown Manhattan and 30–40 minutes from northern Brooklyn.

Best times to visit

Lifeguards are on duty at the beach from 10am–6pm (Memorial Day–Labor Day). The beach is closed 9pm-6am and boardwalk 1am–5am. Bike riding and rollerblading are permitted 5–10am.

Best days to visit

Weekends are busy in summer, so come midweek for a quieter experience.

Best months to visit

The beach is also most pleasant in the warmer months, May–September. Luna Park operates a seasonal calendar, but is open daily between late May and early September. The New York Aquarium is open year-round.

Special events

The Coney Island Film Festival in May, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade in June, and the Coney Island Music Festival in July are a few event highlights.