Coney Island - A New York City Attraction
Coney Island is an eclectic residential Brooklyn neighborhood, which morphs into an entertainment and relaxation destination every summer. Visitors and locals flock to its beaches, the Wild Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone rollercoaster and Luna Park, which feature the famous Cyclone coaster. The Mermaid Parade and the Circus Sideshow in June also lend a strange vibe to Coney Island. The annual Nathan's Famous hot-dog Eating contest has been called the world's biggest barbecue competition. Other local attractions include Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Coney Island Zoo, Coney Island Vintage Raceway and Pier, and Coney Island City Hall.
Broklyn was originally named Borough of Kings County after King George Washington, but the name was changed in honor of his wife Queen Elizabeth. There are a number of historical spots in Brooklyn including a statue of former US President and founder George Washington. In addition, there are many museums which have a broad spectrum of cultural and historic collections, including the New York Public Library, The Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Historical Society.
The New York Times recently ranked Brooklyn as the seventh "Most Fun" City in America, due to its cultural diversity and rich heritage. Coney Island, for its part, ranks as the eighteenth best amusement park in the world. According to the 2020 National Park Service Annual Report, Coney Island ranks third among all amusement parks.
Coney Island ranks number two among the five amusement parks in New York State. It is also among the ten largest amusement parks in the United States. In addition to the popular rides, Coney Island offers a variety of dining options, including five world-class restaurants and hundreds of fine shops. Among the world-renowned restaurants on Coney Island are Billy Jealousy's Irish Pub and The Rusty Nail Steakhouse, which are featured in a documentary film about the amusement park, "Coney Island Scream."
The amusement park attracts families and tourists from all over the world, who enjoy its wide-range of rides, shows, as well as the restaurants, theaters, water sports, and bars on its beaches. There are also attractions onsite which provide a more educational experience, such as the Science and Environmental Learning Center, Coney Island Miniature Zoo, and the Coney Island Aquarium. On the other hand, many of the attractions off-site cater to kids-only attractions, such as the Coney Island Zoo, Luna Park, Sea World, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and the Neptune City Boardwalk.
In addition to the above-mentioned amusement parks, there are also many activities for kids on-site, including the Kids' Zone, where children can visit exhibits and play games like ice cream and hot dogs, roller skating rinks, and playgrounds. The Coney Island Zoo houses a number of exotic animals such as lemurs, snakes, turtles, fish and crabs. Coney Island Village hosts children's plays and musical events for kids.