New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [287]
PERFORMING ARTS IN PROSPECT PARK/PROSPECT HEIGHTS/PARK SLOPE
THEATER
Puppetworks.
Familiar childhood tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Peter and the Wolf come to life most weekends in this 75-seat neighborhood theater. | 338 6th Ave., at 4th St., Park Slope | 11215 | 718/965–3391 Reservations essential | www.puppetworks.org | Subway: F to 7th Ave.
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Exploring | Where to Eat | Shopping
Experience the sounds, smells, and sights of a New York City summer: hot dogs and ice cream, suntan lotion, excited crowds, and weathered old men fishing.
Named Konijn Eiland (Rabbit Island) by the Dutch for its wild rabbit population, the Coney Island peninsula has a boardwalk, a 2.5-mi-long beach, amusement parks, and the New York Aquarium. Eating a Nathan’s Famous hot dog (1310 Surf Ave., Coney Island) and strolling seaside has been a classic New York experience since 1916.
And then there are the freakish attractions at Sideshows by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum, the heart-stopping plunge of the granddaddy of all roller coasters—the Cyclone—and the thwack of bats swung by the minor-league team the Cyclones at MCU Park. The area’s banner day is the raucous Mermaid Parade, held in June. A fireworks display lights up the sky Friday nights from late June through Labor Day.
A pleasant stroll down the boardwalk is Brighton Beach, named after Britain’s longstanding beach resort. In the early 1900s Brighton Beach was a resort in its own right, with seaside hotels that catered to rich Manhattan families visiting for the summer. Since the 1970s and ’80s Brighton Beach has been known for its 100,000 Soviet émigrés.
To get to the heart of “Little Odessa” from Coney Island, walk about a mile east along the boardwalk to Brighton 1st Place, then head up to Brighton Beach Avenue. To get here from Manhattan directly, take the B or Q train to the Brighton Beach stop; the trip takes about an hour.
EXPLORING CONEY ISLAND AND BRIGHTON BEACH
Cyclone.
One of the oldest roller coasters still operating, this world-famous, wood-and-steel colossus first roared around the tracks in 1927. Unfortunately, the adjacent, carnivalesque Astroland recently shut down, after pressure from developers. But fear not, thrill seekers: the landmark Cyclone will keep running, ensuring future generations of New Yorkers and visitors their most satisfying case of whiplash ever. | 834 Surf Ave., at W. 10th St., Coney Island | 11224 | 718/265–2100 | $8 for first ride, $5 for additional rides | Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily; call for seasonal hrs | Subway: B, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
You get a new perspective atop the 150-foot-tall Wonder Wheel, built in 1920. Though it appears tame, its swinging cars will quicken your heart rate. Fortunately, Deno’s lease runs until 2020, so Coney-lovers still have time for the Spook-A-Rama, the Thunderbolt, and bumper cars. | 3059 Denos Vourderis Pl., at W. 12th St., Coney Island | 11224 | 718/372–2592 | www.wonderwheel.com | $6 per ride, 5 rides for $25 | Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily 11 am–midnight; Apr., May, Sept., and Oct., weekends noon–9 | Subway: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave.
MCU Park.
Rekindle your Brooklyn baseball memories (or make some new ones) at a Brooklyn Cyclones game. When this Mets-owned single-A farm team moved to Brooklyn, it brought professional baseball to the borough for the first time since 1957. Now the intimate, bright park is especially great for introducing kids to the game. The park often holds special promotions to get the little ones on the field. | 1904 Surf Ave., between 17th and 19th Sts., Coney Island | 11224 | 718/449–8497 | www.brooklyncyclones.com | $8–$17 | Games June–Sept.; call for schedule | Subway: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave.
New York Aquarium.