Coney Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Coney Island which includes rides and night scenes
Coney Island
Coney Island featuring shopping, night scenes and street scenes
Coney Island showing signage and shopping
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.

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hyatt Grand Central New York
4 out of 5
109 East 42nd Street, at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
The price is £212 per night from 25 May to 26 May
£212
25 May - 26 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,062 reviews)
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Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Paramount Times Square
Paramount Times Square
4 out of 5
235 West 46th Street, New York, NY
The price is £142 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
£142
1 Jun - 2 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (373 reviews)
"Its nice for a quick stay and easy access to everything Timesquare"

Reviewed on 15 May 2025

Paramount Times Square
Hotel Edison Times Square
Hotel Edison Times Square
4 out of 5
228 W 47th St, New York, NY
The price is £157 per night from 26 May to 27 May
£157
26 May - 27 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,558 reviews)
Very helpful
"The hotel staff was friendly and accommodating. They were very helpful with unexpected travel circumstances"

Reviewed on 14 May 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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,285 reviews)
"Great location. Friendly staff. Met my needs."

Reviewed on 12 May 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, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
5.2/10 (1,043 reviews)
"This was in a great location, extremely affordable, and at that time (March 2025) looked like everything within had just been renovated, with the whole place looking new and clean. The only thing some people may not like is that the rooms are quite small and there are no bathrooms in the hotel rooms, ..."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

31 Street Broadway Hotel
Placemakr Wall Street
Placemakr Wall Street
4 out of 5
110 Wall St, New York, NY
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (686 reviews)
Fantastic stay - comfortable and clean room
"We had a fantastic stay at the Pacemakr and appreciated the comfortable rooms, quiet neighbourhood and friendly staff. The staff went out of their way to make our visit enjoyable and we couldn’t recommend the property more highly. Fantastic!"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Placemakr Wall Street
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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