I continue to explore New York City, having gone to Central Park, the new Yankee Stadium, Brooklyn Heights, Chelsea Piers, and even the Hamptons the last six weeks.
Today, I spent my Sunday in Coney Island, getting a good feel for the area and what it has to offer. Truth is, there’s actually a lot, especially for families. It can range from an expensive trip if you go all out to a reasonable one (I stayed in the reasonable area).
So here’s what I first saw as I got off the subway. Obviously in the right place. A bunch of people on the subway had towels, coolers, etc., so you could tell where they were going too. The area definitely had a touristy feel to it, but there’s plenty of space and it didn’t feel too crowded.
So Luna Park. This is where all the rides are. Plenty of kiddie rides but also some thrill rides for the adults. Totally free to enter and roam around. Pay by the ride or get an unlimited $30 pass. A favorite of mine — the Wild River log ride — was closed for maintenance (of course, right!). So I decided to save a few bucks and didn’t go on any rides, just browsed the park.
The boardwalk was really nice with lots going on, music all over the place — live bands and karaoke —, plenty of benches to relax, and some street performers. Never-ending selection of food, including your typical carnival-like food. I grabbed a few slices of Famiglia’s pizza and a vanilla ice cream cone. And oh, look, there’s a shadow of me taking the picture!
The beach area itself stretches a long distance and there’s plenty of space to just hang out. Though I couldn’t take a dip in the water myself because there are no lockers, sadly. Have to go with friends or family next time.
After checking out the beach, amusement park, and boardwalk, I went to the New York Aquarium (also in Coney Island) which was really cool. Got a kick out of the Northern Fur Seal, also known as the “sea bear,” pictured here. Very furry, very quick, and literally, this guy’s a descendant of the Bear (similar skulls)! He gained flippers over time due to evolution.
But my favorite animal was probably the North Pacific Giant Octopus. This was likely in part due to Paul the Octopus’ recent World Cup success and the facts I learned about the octopus during my visit. Namely, they’re the smartest invertebrates in the world; have long-term and short-term memory and ability to learn.
Another highlight was the sea lion show, which was a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be. These guys are so well-trained. Here’s a guy who got up close and personal to me, and roared a mighty sea lion roar.
And as I left, I couldn’t stop thinking about one of the coolest parts about the trip today — to me anyway — its HISTORICAL significance. Coney Island was first discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609, and by the middle of the 17th century it was part of Gravesend (that’s pronounced Grave’s End) — one of New York’s first settlements and the only colonial town founded by a woman, Lady Deborah Moody.
But where things get really interesting — Gravesend is where my ancestors the LAKEs lived in the 1600s. John Lake and his wife Ann Spicer, natives of England, settled in Gravesend shortly after its founding in 1645, and their son John Lake born in Gravesend in 1654 is my 10th-great-grandfather. The younger John died in Gravesend in 1729 and my branch of the family relocated to New Jersey, then Eastern New York state, and then Canada. So I have some roots here!
A few final interesting facts: Coney Island was once literally an island, and it eventually became a peninsula, connected to what today is South Brooklyn. Also, the International Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place here every July 4.
And that’s my trip to Coney Island.
