Coney Island, NY

Travel Guide

Coney Island featuring rides and night scenes
Riegelmann Boardwalk which includes rides and a sunset
Coney Island showing street scenes, night scenes and signage
Coney Island featuring shopping and signage
Photo provided by NYC & Company, Inc
Once the largest amusement area in the U.S., you’ll still find plenty of entertainment for the young and young at heart here. 

With its sandy beaches, gently rolling waves and breezy boardwalk, Coney Island feels a world away from frenzied Manhattan, but there’s still action aplenty on this peninsula thanks to its exciting amusement park. 

A beachfront area in southern Brooklyn, Coney Island was home to several competing amusement parks during its pre-war heyday. It was popular with hard-working New Yorkers who relished the opportunity to escape the stifling Manhattan heat on weekends.

After World War II, the parks fell out of favor with visitors, who occupied themselves with films and Broadway shows in Manhattan, and the island suffered from neglect. Today, as the area continues to be redeveloped, visitors and thrill-seekers come in droves to try the modern theme park rides at the iconic Luna Park, which was reopened after extensive renovations in 2010, and soak up the island’s grand history.

A 45- to 60-minute subway ride from Manhattan, Coney Island is at its most lively during the sticky summer months, and many attractions only operate from April to October, including special events like outdoor concerts, film screenings and Friday night fireworks on the beach. The island is still worth a visit in winter, though, if only to see the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, a group of brave men and women who take to the icy January waters bare-chested or in only a swimsuit, invoking wild cheers from onlookers. Coney Island’s food vendors are on hand year-round to serve up nostalgia — think classic cotton candy, old-fashioned hot dogs and traditional New York-style pizza.

While the infamous Thunderbolt rollercoaster — immortalized in countless postcard pictures and the Woody Allen classic movie “Annie Hall” — has been laid to rest. Today’s Luna Park is amusement park heaven, with 19 fabulous rides. Among them is the Cyclone, originally built in 1927 and one of the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters still in use. Try your luck on the bumper cars, take a spin on a pretty carousel or scoop a prize or two in the lively game arcade.

Coney Island’s re-emergence as a modern amusement destination makes it an entertaining day trip for tourists. The best way to get here is by subway from any part of Manhattan.

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is ¥24,581 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
¥24,581
¥34,632 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,278 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay here for my husband's 40th birthday. The location was very ideal as it is located on Times Square so very central to a lot of things. We had a comfortable stay at this hotel. Negative points were that I had tried to contact the hotel via email/guest relations/instagram ahead of ..."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Hotel St. James

Hotel St. James

2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
The price is ¥24,739 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
¥24,739
¥28,905 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,244 reviews)
"Convenient and walkable"

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2025

Hotel St. James
Hotel Edison Times Square

Hotel Edison Times Square

4 out of 5
228 W 47th St, New York, NY
The price is ¥18,988 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
¥18,988
¥29,060 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,615 reviews)
"The hotel was clean, good free breakfast. They even have wine night on Tuesday and Friday 5-6pm which great to start the night. When I check into my family suite the sink in the bathroom wasn’t draining well but they fix it right away. So I was very impressed and definitely will come back."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Hotel Edison Times Square
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Radio City Apartments

Radio City Apartments

3.5 out of 5
142 West 49th Street, New York, NY
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,542 reviews)
"Fabulous stay! Angel and Jaime at the front desk were phenomenal. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Radio City Apartments
31 Street Broadway Hotel

31 Street Broadway Hotel

2 out of 5
38 West 31st Street, New York, NY
Stay at this aparthotel in New York. Enjoy room service, WiFi (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
5.4/10 (1,101 reviews)
"Good place really close to the hustle and bustle of downtown. We were able to walk just about everywhere. It was small but clean."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

31 Street Broadway Hotel
Starlight Hotel

Starlight Hotel

2.5 out of 5
40-40 College Point Blvd, Flushing, NY
Stay at this aparthotel in Flushing. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (618 reviews)
"I canceled flight landed me there, and I was very pleasantly surprised and would recommend it!"

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2025

Starlight Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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