Coney Island was almost one hour ride away from Brooklyn via the subway (Q Line dropped me off…read moreright near the entrance) so I decided last minute to head out there since I've never seen it. We have the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk back home but Coney Island dwarfed it. For a Friday, the 2 amusement parks were busy with lots of kids and parent chaperones wearing the same t-shirts. I wasn't here to ride the rides but to wander and take it all in. Ticket prices varied per ride (little kids cheaper than the more thrilling ones for older kids/adults. All day wrist bands also were offered and maybe a better deal if staying a few hours or hitting the big rides. Lots of food options available in and around the parks. The most recognizable one for me was Nathan's Hot Dogs which actually served seafood, burgers and more besides their famous namesake hot dogs. The wooden boardwalk was in good condition and wide. It extended all the way down to the aquarium and Brighton Beach.. lots of benches to sit or sun yourself. Bathrooms were located near the beach but interestingly elevated above. Nice design from the outside but a little cleaner than your typical public bathrooms since there were staff busy cleaning when I popped in. The beaches wasn't as busy as the park and even less people were in the water. Overall fairly clean that day. Lifeguards were on duty, FDNY zipped by in a unique ATV style ambulance and later a patrol showing a good attention to safety and quick response. I'm glad I was able to finally see Coney Island in person. It should have enough options to entertain, thrill or just let you relax.

Crazy hot yesterday when we came by... bathrooms were mostly clean and there was free sunblock…read moreoutside the bathroom so that was a nice touch!

I just went with my wife and 8-year old daughter and had a great time…read more I really liked the fact that you're not forced to buy a wristband, if you don't want to. We first strolled the place to see what we wanted to do (not busy at all at opening time and basically no lines until the afternoon). Then we decided to just buy a $100 card (with $15 bonus in it) and used it as a credit card to buy rides AND food. If you're planning to stay all day long and fit as many rides as you can, you should get a wristband. Otherwise, if you're just going low key just for 4-5 hours like we did, and are satisfied with a few rides, games and food, paying as you go will be cheaper. Rides are VERY well kept and look fairly new, and restrooms are available (with drinking water).

Came by to Jump start spring during break for the kids. Its exactly as I remember it…read more Talk about blast from the past. With an addition of some newer rides I've never seen beforem. My 6 year old loved the kid portion of the park. Well maintained and clean. Staff was friendly. Ample restrooms and good food options. Can't wait to come during the summer

I have a 7 year old and a 4 year old and they both had so much fun! The rides and the climbing…read morearea were the best I've ever seen in a play area and the staff was so helpful and accommodating all the way through! We loved it and will be back soon!

My kids who are 9 and 6 loved this place. We spent a whole day here. They had so much fun. Plenty…read moreof stuff to do. The staff was also very nice.

Coney Island is a NYC summer staple, and it wouldn't be the same without the iconic Wonder Wheel…read more This giant ferris wheel has been gracing the skyline for over 100 years, and if I'm not mistaken, it's still operated by Deno's family. When you roll up, you get to choose between cars that swing and cars that don't; I recommend the latter if you don't want your children throwing their hot dogs up on you. But you do you. It offers a beautiful and peaceful view of Coney Island, the water, and beyond. It's worth a photo op or two, but you should be aware that they are charging fairly unconscionable prices these days. (You can't even just pay for it, you have to buy a card with credits on it or some nonsense, because there's a few different amusement parks here and they all operate independently and it's all very annoying.) But yeah, go on the Wheel at least once, it's a good time.

I come to Coney Island once a year in the summer. The only thing I get on his the wonder wheel,…read moreit's my fave! I've done both swinging and still cards, swinging gives you a little thrill for sure! A little overpriced but the perfect place to watch the fire works from on Friday nights. The woman handling the line was a little rude but whatever.

At almost 100 years old, this ride is a classic. This is one of only two rides I rode today. The…read moreother one, the wonder wheel. The two most iconic rides on Coney Island. At 10 bucks, it's a tiny bit pricey, but still reasonable. On a Sunday afternoon in August, there was still only about a 10 minute wait. I was lucky, when it was my turn to board, I got the last car on the train. I really got whipped around!. It's a fun ride. For being an almost 100 year-old wooden coaster. The drops definitely get you. Yes, it is a bumpy ride, and, on the turns, throws you around and beats you up a tiny bit, but that's the fun of the ride! And hey, the seats are cushioned! (unlike the coaster at New York, New York in Vegas. That one throws you around and beats you up, but it shouldn't, because that one is a steel coaster that should've been designed better. But, hey, I digress...) I've always wanted to ride the cyclone, and I'm glad I finally did. It was a blast!

Almost 100 years old, and this iconic roller coaster definitely feels like it! I think it still has…read moreall its original carts and tracks Most warned me the ride would be intense and scary, but I had to try it once. So glad I checked it off my bucketlist! lol I don't think I need to ride it again. haha The lines can get long, but they keep it moving. On a Saturday afternoon I got through to the ticket booth in maybe 15 minutes? Tickets are a little pricey at $10 per ride. Cash or credit accepted. You'll get a card (which may be reloadable for future rides). I kept it as a souvenir. You'll then walk up and scan your card before you line up. Before you board the cars, you can check in any bags/purses you have for free and they will give you a bracelet with your number to collect after the ride. I'd suggest leaving everything behind (phone, hat, sunglasses). Once you board the cart, they'll pull a lever over and secure you in. Initially, its a nice ride up and you can see a cool view of the park. Once we got to the top, every fall was crazy wild. I held on tight to the bars as I slide around the seat. I felt like my teeth rattled and I might fall out of the car. lol I guess that's teh thrill of it! The ride is less than 2 minutes and has a number of high falls. Not suggested for anyone with joint pain or a very weak stomach. Once we got off the ride I had to sit on the bench they have to rest. Phew! Sure is a wild roller coaster! Before you exit you turn in your bracelet and can pick up your bags. After you exit, you may preview your photo from the ride for purchase. I ended up getting the digital photo for $7. I think prints were 2 for $20.

Eldorado is one of the old vintage places that is a must do…read morein Coney Island. As my brother Moose (Peter), my lovely wife, & I hopped into a Bumper Car. We were taking a break from all the misery surrounding my wonderful Mom's death & furneral. I loved her so very much. So this was a good break from the misery & heartbreak. Post-bumper cars it was nice to visit good ole Nathan's again have my old fav a Soft Shell Crab sandwich, two hot dogs, & their great Crink cut fries. Anyway back to the Skooter place. Old vintage bumper cars go round & round while you try to bump your brother & wife. There are always strangers who somehow get a kick off ramming you, in a painful whiplash way....but again this is a bad area of Crooklyn. At least the now have seat restraints that will stop you from flipping out of the car, but watch for a headache when somebody rams you hard. Try to avoid if possible. Eldorado, is an old "friend" & has been here even before I was a teen working at the next door now defunct Carvel's Ice-cream store. We got used to hearing the "Bump you Ass Off" & various music at that remote era of rock & disco. This was not a safe area, and I/we too many precautions while we went to work there. I already reviewed my KUNG FU techniques which I practiced with this Crazy Japanese guy at the now defunct King's Plaza Carvel. At the King's Plaza Carvel, I also worked with Crazy Mr. Squirrel & the nutty Eson brothers. One was an Ex-cop & the other totally wacked out. At the Coney one, we had baseball bats behind the counter & a riot gate. The manager was also armed. My insane brother, who did football, once almost ran through a wall there. Again, it was a crazy NYC crew. The owner once offered me, my own store, but I decided to go to College, rather than be a budding Icecream millionaire like him....now I think that was a mistake. Anyway, the Eldorado did send us a stream of customers, even in the coldness of winter, as well as, the nearby Nathan's. I grew nostalgic as I bumped my ass off as the memories of bygone decades raced past me to 35 years ago.... when CONEY ISLAND was still KING!!! Now it seems on it's last legs, so please support Nathan's & Eldorado.....

Eldorado Auto Skooters is a childhood favorite of mine. The sound system they use for their bumper…read morecars is incredible. I felt the bass right into my heart. It is THAT powerful. Beats all the night clubs by far in terms of sound quality. This will always be my favorite ride of Coney Island. The arcade in the back is tons of fun. Sort of reminds me of a Vegas Casino. So many lights. The overall atmosphere will get you lost in a state of trance if you stay there long enough. Simply, cool. Pros: Disco lights, awesome sound system, powerful air conditioning, independently operated, affordable, and all arcades work perfectly. Cons: New (2012) DJ does not play dance music. Just hip hop and reggae. Staff is somewhat unprofessional. Too many bumper cars inside. I would not recommend wearing a white or yellow dress when riding the bumper cars. I have seen many people step on the chairs to get in and out of the bumper cars. I would like to see them play the same kind of music they played from 2011 and before. The original DJ had the best taste. To me, this ride (with the music) brings life to Surf Avenue. I would also like to see new bumper cars in the ride, as sometime the older ones spin out of control. Other than that it's perfect.

For those pinball wizards, awesome vintage games featuring a fun Coney Island theme! So much fun,…read moremakes you feel like a kid again! And near the beach and the amusement park, it doesn't get any better, a day well spent!