- Mr Plane Guy
- Oct 21
- 6 min read
Things to Do in New York: A Day Trip to Coney Island, Where Every Step Feels Like a Movie Scene
Nostalgia, neon, and a boardwalk straight out of the big screen.
By Mr Plane Guy Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
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Why Coney Island Is One of the Best Things to Do in New York
New York is known for its skyline, Broadway, and rooftop cocktails, but sometimes, you need to swap the skyscrapers for sea breeze and nostalgia.That’s when you head to Coney Island, New York’s own beachfront playground.
A mix of carnival chaos and vintage charm, Coney Island is one of those rare places where the city lets its hair down. It’s loud, colourful, a little rough around the edges and absolutely iconic.
It’s also the perfect day trip from Manhattan and easily one of the best things to do in New York, whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or with kids in tow.
How to Get to Coney Island
You don’t need a car (or a chauffeur). Getting there is part of the fun.
By Subway: Take the D, F, N, or Q train to Stillwell Avenue – Coney Island. It’s the final stop and takes about one hour from Midtown Manhattan.
By Taxi or Uber: Roughly £45 ($55) each way, depending on traffic.
By Bike: Around 14 miles each way from Manhattan along the Brooklyn waterfront scenic but ambitious!
Plane Tip: Go early for quieter rides and better light for photos, or arrive in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, the boardwalk glows gold, and the whole place feels cinematic.
Top 10 Things to Do in Coney Island
1. Ride the Cyclone
One of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters (built in 1927), the Coney Island Cyclone is a shaky, thrilling rite of passage.It’s bumpy, noisy, and utterly brilliant, the kind of ride that leaves your hair horizontal and your heart racing.
Book tickets via GetYourGuide – Coney Island Attractions.
2. Wander the Boardwalk and Step Back in Time
The Riegelmann Boardwalk stretches for nearly three miles along the Atlantic, lined with snack stalls, arcades, and street performers. Grab a lemonade, find a bench, and watch Brooklyn’s weekend energy roll past.
But if you really want to see Coney Island through local eyes, join this guided Nostalgia Walking Tour of Coney Island, led by a bona-fide Brooklyn native and licensed NYC sightseeing guide.
On this two-hour adventure you’ll discover how Coney Island became a showcase for innovation, from early amusement parks and seaside architecture to candy stands, incubator babies, and the birth of the hot-dog legend.
Tour highlights include:
Be guided by a true Brooklyn local 🇺🇸
Discover Coney Island’s dreamers, entrepreneurs, and inventors
Learn how it captivated crowds from the Gilded Age to today
Free cancellation (24 hours’ notice) | Reserve now & pay later | Wheelchair accessible
📍 Meeting Point: On the boardwalk in front of the Parachute Jump, behind Maimonides Park baseball field (Surf Ave between W 16th & 19th Sts).Duration ≈ 2 hours | Usually available afternoons.
🎟️ Reserve your spot here → Book the Coney Island Nostalgia Tour
3. Visit Luna Park
Home to more than 30 rides, Luna Park is pure nostalgia with a modern twist, the heart of Coney Island’s comeback.Perfect for families, couples, or anyone who refuses to grow up.
It’s one of the top things to do in New York with kids, with everything from spinning teacups to gravity-defying coasters.
4. Hit the Beach
Yes, New York has beaches, and this one’s free. Lay out a towel, grab a slice of pizza, and pretend Manhattan doesn’t exist for a few hours.There are lifeguards, showers, and plenty of places to refuel when you inevitably crave fried dough.
5. Dive into the New York Aquarium
Right next door to the boardwalk, the New York Aquarium is home to sharks, sea lions, and coral displays, ideal if you’re travelling with kids or need shade from the sun.
Check passes on GetYourGuide – Coney Island Activities.
6. Ride Deno’s Wonder Wheel
A 150-foot ferris wheel that’s been spinning since 1920, the Wonder Wheel offers unbeatable views of the boardwalk and ocean.Choose between swinging or stationary cars depending on your nerves.
7. Snap the Parachute Jump
This 250-foot tower, once used for parachuting fairgoers, is now a landmark that lights up in red, white, and blue LEDs after dark.It’s one of the most photogenic things to do in New York if you’re chasing night-time skyline shots.
8. Watch a Game at Maimonides Park
Baseball on the beach? Only in Brooklyn.Catch the Brooklyn Cyclones (a Mets minor-league team) and enjoy fireworks every Friday night during summer.
9. Explore Brighton Beach
Walk east from the boardwalk and you’ll stumble into Brighton Beach, nicknamed Little Odessa.Expect Russian delis, pierogi cafés, and locals playing chess in the park an easy cultural detour that feels a world away from Manhattan.
10. Eat Your Way Around the Boardwalk
You don’t come to Coney Island for fine dining, you come for flavours that taste like summer and childhood rolled into one.
Five Places to Eat at Coney Island
Nathan’s Famous – Home of the world’s most famous hot dog since 1916. Grab one (or two) with mustard and enjoy it right where the original stand still stands.
Ruby’s Bar & Grill – Classic boardwalk institution, beach views, cold beer, and live bands.
Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitana – Family-run since 1924, this is real-deal coal-oven pizza worth the queue.
Paul’s Daughter – Fried clams, hot dogs, nostalgia, and unbeatable ocean views.
Coney Island Brewery – Local brews and a relaxed vibe near the stadium, the perfect pre-fireworks pit stop.
Coney Island on the Big Screen
If it feels familiar, that’s because you’ve probably seen it before.Coney Island has starred in some of Hollywood’s most iconic scenes:
🎬 Big (1988) – Tom Hanks’ Zoltar scene was filmed right here on the boardwalk.
🎬 The Warriors (1979) – The cult classic ends dramatically on Coney’s sands.
🎬 Requiem for a Dream (2000) – Gritty, intense, and visually stunning shots of the pier.🎬 Wonder Wheel (2017) – Woody Allen’s drama inspired by the real-life ferris wheel.
🎬 Mr Robot and Brooklyn Nine-Nine – modern shows that capture its raw Brooklyn charm.
When to Visit Coney Island
Summer (May–September): The full experience – rides, fireworks, and beach weather.
Spring or Autumn: Quieter, cooler, perfect for photographers.
Winter: Rides close, but the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge is legendary (and freezing).
Coney Island with Kids
This is one of the best things to do in New York with kids. Luna Park, the aquarium, the beach, and the Cyclone all deliver classic family fun.Just bring sunscreen, snacks, and an extra change of clothes, there’s sand and ice cream everywhere.
How Coney Island Fits into Your New York Itinerary
Coney Island is a full-day adventure, but it fits perfectly into a longer New York trip.Start your journey with Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, or fly JetBlue to New York for great value and style.
Once you’ve landed, base yourself at a hotel that balances comfort and location:
TWA Hotel at JFK – Retro glamour between flights.
And don’t miss my full Where to Stay in New York: My Plane Luxury Escape Guide it covers everything from SoHo design stays to Brooklyn bargains.
👉 Read my full Arlo NoMad Hotel Review, one of my favourite affordable-luxury bases in Midtown, with skyline views that make even jet lag look good.
Need transport tips? Here’s How to Get from JFK to Manhattan, because the journey matters just as much as the destination.
For a truly jaw-dropping perspective, book a Helicopter Ride over New York and spot Coney Island from above before you hit the sand.
Plan Your Visit
Tickets & Experiences:Check out GetYourGuide – Coney Island for aquarium tickets, amusement park passes, and guided tours.
Opening Hours:Rides usually open late April to early October, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (longer in summer).
Plane Tip: Go mid-week for shorter lines, bring a hat, and don’t skip Nathan’s it’s practically a rite of passage.
Final Boarding Call
Coney Island is New York at its most human a little gritty, a little glittery, and full of heart.It’s proof that the best things to do in New York aren’t always uptown; sometimes they come with sea salt in your hair and sand in your shoes.
Grab a MetroCard, grab a hot dog, and let this slice of old-school Americana remind you why New York never stops surprising.
Then keep exploring:
TWA Hotel at JFK (coming soon)
Because every Plane Luxury Escape deserves a roller-coaster ending. See you on the boardwalk I’ll be the one with a hot dog in one hand and a camera in the other.
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About Me
a former airline insider (Virgin insider even, that sounds so wrong) who’s swapped the jump seat for the window seat. I share honest reviews, travel hacks, and a few behind-the-scenes stories.
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