When one thinks of summer, it immediately comes to mind the sight of sandy beaches, amusement parks and hot sunny days. Coney Island, an extravagant vacation playground to visit especially for the summer. I have recently had an opportunity to come to such a wonderful place that the sights are still engraved in my mind. There were other attractions that I have missed out on mainly since I had only one day there. If time was not an issue, I would have definitely visited more programs that they provide. Getting there is also not a problem due to their cheap and handy subway system.
One thing to be cautioned about is that it can get extremely busy on the weekends, so the best time to be there would be on the weekdays, especially if you do not want to get a serious burn from the sun by waiting in long crowded areas that does not provide much shade. The top three features of Coney Island that is a must to visit are Luna Park, the Boardwalk, and its beach. Luna Park, the amusement park of Coney Island, that harbors 30 different rides which are categorized by the degree of thrill it holds and 15 mini games that can be found everywhere.
Before actually going on any of the rides, tickets (credits) and wristbands can be bought from any of the orange ticket booths spotted all around the park along as the guest services. Two most well-known rides that are encouraged to try on are the Soarin’ Eagle from the high thrill and the Thunderbolt from the extreme thrill. (Both have a minimum height requirement in order to ride on) The Soarin’ Eagle is not like the normal rides where you go through the experience by sitting, instead, this ride first starts with a standing position on a four-step white painted, steel ladder with your stomach pressed on a vertical platform.
After that, the platform gets shifted to a horizontal position (Now you are lying on your stomach) making it feel as if we were real birds gliding through the sky on swift turns, breezy rolls and unexpected twists. The second recommended ride, Thunderbolt, a newer build extreme ride, provides a great anticipation as you are first rolling up its steep curve. Once you reach the top, it does a 90 degree drop at a supersonic speed which you can feel gushes of the cool wind coming over your face as it tries to roll up the flab of skin around your mouth.
After the heavy drop, it is best to make sure to hold on tight for the upcoming loops, sickening turns and being thrown upside down. (Make sure not to go on any of the extreme rides right after a meal) Coney Island’s boardwalk, or also known as the Riegelmann Boardwalk is located along the Atlantic Ocean that links between the sandy beach and the fun-filled amusement. This three mile long walk contains different entertainments: mascots, bands and fishing. On the weekends, it can get extremely rowdy with groups of bands and singers on separate platforms joined in by wandering dancers varying of race and ethnicity.
Youths can also enjoy themselves by taking pictures with animated mascot found at different parts of the boardwalk such as Elsa, Anna and Olaf from Disney Frozen and Spongebob Squarepants. Hovering deep over the Atlantic Ocean, there holds a wooden pier where people comes by to fish, catch crabs (Mainly spider crabs, Chesapeake blue crabs and infrequent hermit crabs) or simply enjoy the view of the whole island from high up and although many crustaceans are caught here, the smell of the pier holds barely any strong amount of sea life.
Many food stands and shops are set up on the boardwalk that are always jam packed with people waiting in lines for some of Coney’s most popular eateries such as Nathan’s Famous, Tom’s Coney and Paul’s’ Daughter. All around the area, people take advantage of the hot weather by selling cold water bottles and tangy mango on a stick. The mangos are extremely sweet and gets carved into the form of a blossoming flower. (Since the shape and quality differs rom one seller to another, it is important to make sure you found a proper vendor) For the third and final must go destination, the beach, located at the southernmost tip of Coney costs absolutely no fees whatsoever. The first few steps after the boardwalk may feel rather rocky due to scattered sediments and tiny pebbles sticking on to the soles of your feet, but by halfway to the ocean, it starts getting smooth and cooler with every step you take.
If laying around and catching some ray is not your type of fun, there are beach volleyball courts set up, kites to be flown here and safe swimming with lifeguards on the look out. Gazing at the sandy shore, you can see the roaring waves rushing in, toppling forts and castles made out of silken sands that shimmers under the blazing sun like tiny luminous stars in the night sky.
Take advantage of this peaceful, quiet moment by standing on the shoreline and wait for the rolling ocean water slide by the ankles of your leg. As the waves try to pull back in, you will feel a sinking sensation on the heels of your foot due to the pressure of your weight and the surrounding sand. Lastly, there is an area for youths with a big, plastic palm tree set up in the middle and tiny sprinklers around it, spraying cold, chilling drops that can be felt even to the people strolling on the boardwalk.
The beach is always crowded with families and couples to enjoy on their days off and especially on Friday nights, gorgeous firework shoot off can be seen starting at 9:30p. m. (Only during the summer season) In conclusion, Coney Island is surely a fantastic site to visit for the summer, whether you want a getaway or suffering from boredom. The three feature listed above are what makes Coney Island well-known and can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages and race.
Definitely try on at least one of their extreme rides when visiting Luna Park. On the boardwalk, expand your horizon by eating at their popular eateries and trying out the different dishes that is served only at Coney Island. As for the beach, sure, there are other beaches similar from around the world, but do not miss out on how this beach is connected with two other attractions unlike other beaches which gives this an A-plus. So if you ever need a place for the upcoming summer or spring break, be sure to visit Coney Island.