Is Coney Island Worth Visiting? Season, Rides, Beach and Getting There
Coney Island is worth a half-day visit from late spring to early fall, when rides and the beach are open. When to go, how to get there and what it costs.
Coney Island is worth visiting if you go between late spring and early fall, when the amusement parks, the beach and the boardwalk are all open. The neighborhood sits at the southern edge of Brooklyn in New York City, and the subway runs there from Manhattan. Plan for a half day to a full day; in winter most rides close and the trip is mainly a walk on the boardwalk.
What is there to do at Coney Island?
Coney Island has a free beach and boardwalk, two amusement parks, historic rides, an aquarium and a minor league ballpark, all within walking distance of each other. The main sights:
- The Riegelmann Boardwalk, which runs along the beach from Coney Island east to Brighton Beach and is free to walk at any time of year
- The beach itself, a wide public sand beach run by the city
- Luna Park, the largest amusement park in the area, home to the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster from 1927 that is a New York City landmark
- Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, built around the Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel from 1920 with both fixed and swinging cars
- The Parachute Jump, a tall steel tower that no longer runs but is lit at night and remains a landmark
- The New York Aquarium, on the boardwalk next to the rides
- Maimonides Park, where the Brooklyn Cyclones play minor league baseball in summer
- Nathan’s Famous, the hot dog stand that opened at Coney Island in 1916 and hosts its well-known hot dog eating contest every July 4
When is the best time to visit Coney Island?
The best time to visit is June through early September, when the rides run daily and lifeguards are on the beach. The amusement parks usually open around Easter and close at the end of October, with weekend-only hours in spring and fall, so check each park’s calendar before a trip outside summer.
Weekdays are calmer than weekends. Summer weekends and holidays, especially July 4, bring large crowds, long ride lines and packed trains. Late afternoon into evening is a good window on warm days: the heat drops and the rides and the Parachute Jump light up.
Coney Island also hosts the Mermaid Parade, a costume parade held in June, which draws big crowds along Surf Avenue and the boardwalk.
How do you get to Coney Island?
The subway is the easiest way. Four lines (D, F, N and Q) end at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station, a short walk from the rides and the beach. The ride from Midtown Manhattan takes about an hour. Pay with a contactless card or phone at the turnstile.
Driving is possible, but street parking fills on summer weekends and paid lots near the parks and ballpark charge more on busy days. If you are combining the trip with other New York sights, the train is faster and simpler.
Can you swim at Coney Island beach?
You can swim at Coney Island only when lifeguards are on duty, which in New York City beach season runs from Memorial Day weekend into September, during posted daytime hours. Swimming outside those hours or outside the flagged areas is not allowed. Season dates and hours are set each year by the City of New York through its parks department.
Ocean beaches can have rip currents, narrow channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore. If you are caught in one, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the pull, then head in. The National Weather Service explains how to spot and escape them.
How much does a day at Coney Island cost?
Much of Coney Island is free: the beach, the boardwalk, people-watching and the views of the rides cost nothing. Costs come from rides, food, the aquarium and ballgames. Luna Park sells individual ride credits and timed wristbands for unlimited rides; Deno’s sells tickets by the ride. If you plan to ride a lot, a wristband usually works out cheaper than paying ride by ride, while two or three classic rides are cheaper bought one at a time. Prices change each season, so check the parks’ own sites.
Coney Island is a city park area, so federal passes do not apply. A pass such as the one in our America the Beautiful pass break-even math only covers federal sites like national parks.
What should you know before you go?
- Bring sunscreen, water and a hat; there is little shade on the beach and boardwalk.
- Check ride height requirements if you are going with children, since the Cyclone and other thrill rides have minimums.
- Glass bottles and alcohol are not allowed on New York City beaches.
- Keep an eye on bags on crowded summer days, as in any busy tourist area.
- Rides can close in storms or high wind, so check the forecast.
Coney Island makes sense as one stop in a longer New York trip. Travelers looking for quieter Northeast shoreline can read about Rhode Island’s parks, beaches and campgrounds or our Acadia National Park guide for Maine’s coast.
Quick answers
Is Coney Island worth visiting in winter?
Only for a short walk. Most rides are closed from November until spring, though the boardwalk, the beach and the aquarium can still be visited.
How long should you spend at Coney Island?
Three to five hours covers a walk on the boardwalk, a few rides and a meal. Add more time for the beach, the aquarium or an evening ballgame.
Is Coney Island good for kids?
Yes. Luna Park and Deno’s both have rides for small children, and the beach and aquarium are close by.
Is Coney Island in Manhattan?
No. Coney Island is in Brooklyn, on the Atlantic shore at the southern end of the borough.
