Ah, New York. I’ll probably never get tired of this city, even the fresh breeze on Brighton Beach in Coney Island couldn’t harm me. In January, I flew to New York again. In nine months on the long haul I was there three or four times, I think. This is a special circumstance, because I have actually always made sure that the destinations in my roster do not repeat themselves too much. I wanted to see as much as possible of the flight schedule in the short time available.
But for New York, I made an exception to my resolution. New York is never too much. But the stays were always short and I had to fight with my mixture of exhaustion and jetlag, so that at the end of a good 24 hours on site minus long bus rides to the hotel and a bit of sleep there was never much time. So it was clear: I would have to go back to New York again with more time. And so I packed my bags.
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Facts about Coney Island
- Coney Island is located in the southern part of the New York borough of Brooklyn
- At the beginning of the 20th century, Coney Island was famous worldwide for its amusement mile
- Rides such as theWonder Wheel, built in 1920, andthe wooden roller coasterThe Cyclone, which opened in 1927, were revolutionary
- The Mermaid Parade, a large street parade that marks the start of the summer season, takes place every year
Coney Island in winter
Three factors then came together at the beginning of the year: I had plenty of time off, I still had a vacation flight left over from last year, and best of all, there was a direct flight from Berlin to New York, which was always empty. Long-haul flights from Berlin are always a rarity, and many routes do not survive more than one season. (The flight to New York is no longer available either). I hate changing planes, especially at large airports. You have to walk a lot, the hustle and bustle is stressful and noisy. That’s why a direct flight from a smaller airport right on your doorstep is a real gift.
Brighton Beach: The Beach of Coney Island
It became clear pretty quickly during my time on the long-haul route: I like New York, I like traveling far away—but I’d rather do it for personal reasons than for work. Having more time in America again for the first time, without being plagued by total exhaustion and various emotional distractions, was so relaxing and pleasant. And all that time on the ground! I spent almost an entire day driving from Coney Island all the way to Brighton Beach and enjoying a sunny day by the sea. Weather-wise, it was a real treat.
And everything is so beautifully nostalgic. The boardwalk, the food stands, the famous Wonder Wheel, which is one of Coney Island’s most impressive attractions. Everything is closed during the winter; no wonder, since winters in New York are sometimes so harsh that you don’t want to leave the house for weeks on end. Still, on a clear winter day, Coney Island offers a complete change of pace from the urban jungle of Manhattan, and you can let the fresh Atlantic breeze clear your head.
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Amusement parks in Coney Island
If you want to experience Coney Island in full swing, with all its food stands and rides, you should visit between spring and fall: The season in Coney Island runs from late March to late October. For a ride on the legendary Wonder Wheel, head to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park; for the nostalgic Cyclone roller coaster, head to Luna Park.
Coney Island is kind of like a cabinet of curiosities from days gone by: Every year, the Coney Island Art Center organizes quirky events like the Mermaid Parade. Mainly during the season, of course—you can find all the dates here.
The famous hot dogs of Coney Island
Nathan’s Famous is said to have the best hot dogs in town, and definitely the most famous. Founded in 1916 by Polish-Jewish immigrants, the initially small hot dog stand became a popular fast food restaurant in Coney Island.
In the 1970s, the annual hot dog eating contest was invented, which brought Nathan’s Famous even more popularity. This well-attended and very popular event takes place every year on July 4, Independence Day, a major national holiday in the United States. It is held at the large flagship location on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues.
But even if you can’t make it to the big eating contest (and you like meat, because unfortunately there aren’t too many options for vegetarians), you should definitely stop by the main branch and try one of the legendary hot dogs in a stylish ambience.
The Coney Art Walls are also just around the corner. The freely accessible open-air gallery consists of several colorful murals and reminded me a bit of the Wynwood Walls in Miami. Very worth seeing and another beautiful photo spot in Coney Island.
Frequently asked questions about Coney Island
Are you planning a trip to New York? Coney Island isn’t necessarily the very first place you’d think to visit in New York, but it’s still well worth seeing. Plus, Coney Island is relatively easy to get to. Here, I’ll answer the most important questions so you have a good overview.
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