Coney Island Walking Tour
1 h
By walk
About this activity
Sand, sun and summer fun!
There's never a dull moment in the birthplace of the American amusement park. On the Coney Island tour we see the sites, learn about the area's history and immerse ourselves in its unique environment. Through the course of the tour what unfolds is the story of one of the world's quirkiest places: a tale of excitement, ambition and drama. A place whose landscape has been shaped by epic human and natural forces: greedy developers, powerful fires, and destructive squalls. By the end of the tour we take home with us a clear perspective on the past, present and future of Coney Island. We also gain an appreciation for its timeless character and the role it plays in New York City and around the world.
Here are some of the things we learn about on the tour:
The Boardwalk
Coney Islands's world famous boardwalk is a center of summer activity and the best people-watching spot in Brooklyn. A mix of beach-goers, families, vendors and quirky characters all blend together to create a unique experience every time!
The Cyclone
The Cyclone is a wooden rollercoaster that stands out as Coney Island's most notable icon. It has entertained countless Brooklynites and worldwide visitors since opening in 1927, when a ride costed only 25 cents. If rollercoasters make you squeamish, think about this: a man once rode the Cyclone for 104 hours straight without a single break!
Wonder Wheel
Another Coney Island icon, the Wonder Wheel has been in operation since 1920. It's considered an "eccentric" ferris wheel because some passenger cars are not fixed in place and were designed to slide back and forth on tracks.
Parachute Jump
The 250 foot tall "Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn" has been a borough icon for decades. It was originally built for the 1939 World's Fair, sponsored by the Lifesavers Candy Company. After the fair the entire tower was taken down then reassembled at its current spot in Coney Island. Its last set of riders enjoyed the 15 second drop in 1964 when the ride ceased operation. Since then it has kept watch over Brooklyn, outfitted with a colorful lighting display which has undergone multimillion dollar upgrades.
MCU Stadium Park
MCU Stadium Park is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones (minor league) baseball team. It is the site of summer evening games known for energetic fans, juicy ballpark franks and salty sea air. The Cyclones are revered by Brooklynites because they are the first professional baseball team the borough has had in over 40 years.
Coney Island was America's very first amusement park, serving as a summer escape for New York City's residents for over 150 years. It was built up by ambitious entrepreneurs who competed at creating the largest, flashiest attractions. Coney Island's most notable showman was a man named George C. Tilyou. His legendary Steeplechase Park, home to quirky attractions with names like the Insanitarium and Human Pool Table, was a world famous destination for over 6 decades. Another revolutionary theme park was known as Dreamland, which featured unheralded attractions including a mini city that housed several hundred midgets (complete with its own midget fire department!).
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There's never a dull moment in the birthplace of the American amusement park. On the Coney Island tour we see the sites, learn about the area's history and immerse ourselves in its unique environment. Through the course of the tour what unfolds is the story of one of the world's quirkiest places: a tale of excitement, ambition and drama. A place whose landscape has been shaped by epic human and natural forces: greedy developers, powerful fires, and destructive squalls. By the end of the tour we take home with us a clear perspective on the past, present and future of Coney Island. We also gain an appreciation for its timeless character and the role it plays in New York City and around the world.
Here are some of the things we learn about on the tour:
The Boardwalk
Coney Islands's world famous boardwalk is a center of summer activity and the best people-watching spot in Brooklyn. A mix of beach-goers, families, vendors and quirky characters all blend together to create a unique experience every time!
The Cyclone
The Cyclone is a wooden rollercoaster that stands out as Coney Island's most notable icon. It has entertained countless Brooklynites and worldwide visitors since opening in 1927, when a ride costed only 25 cents. If rollercoasters make you squeamish, think about this: a man once rode the Cyclone for 104 hours straight without a single break!
Wonder Wheel
Another Coney Island icon, the Wonder Wheel has been in operation since 1920. It's considered an "eccentric" ferris wheel because some passenger cars are not fixed in place and were designed to slide back and forth on tracks.
Parachute Jump
The 250 foot tall "Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn" has been a borough icon for decades. It was originally built for the 1939 World's Fair, sponsored by the Lifesavers Candy Company. After the fair the entire tower was taken down then reassembled at its current spot in Coney Island. Its last set of riders enjoyed the 15 second drop in 1964 when the ride ceased operation. Since then it has kept watch over Brooklyn, outfitted with a colorful lighting display which has undergone multimillion dollar upgrades.
MCU Stadium Park
MCU Stadium Park is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones (minor league) baseball team. It is the site of summer evening games known for energetic fans, juicy ballpark franks and salty sea air. The Cyclones are revered by Brooklynites because they are the first professional baseball team the borough has had in over 40 years.
Coney Island was America's very first amusement park, serving as a summer escape for New York City's residents for over 150 years. It was built up by ambitious entrepreneurs who competed at creating the largest, flashiest attractions. Coney Island's most notable showman was a man named George C. Tilyou. His legendary Steeplechase Park, home to quirky attractions with names like the Insanitarium and Human Pool Table, was a world famous destination for over 6 decades. Another revolutionary theme park was known as Dreamland, which featured unheralded attractions including a mini city that housed several hundred midgets (complete with its own midget fire department!).
Features
Tourism
80%
Cultural
65%
Sport
30%
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