Coney Island has many claims to fame, and if you find yourself spending a day in this lively neighborhood, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. Whether you're interested in sunning on the beach, strolling the boardwalk, or taking a ride on the historic Wonder Wheel (built in 1920), you'll be taking part in long-standing New York traditions.
It's those traditions that give Coney Island its charm. No trip is complete without sampling a hot dog from the original "Nathan's Famous," which opened in 1916 and, every year on the Fourth of July, hosts a now-famous hot dog eating competition. During the annual Mermaid Parade, people dressed as mermaids and sea creatures flock the area, making for a bizarre scene that people love.
Home also to the New York Aquarium and Keyspan Park, Coney Island may not be the elite seaside resort it was in the 1800s, but it's one of Brooklyn's most extraordinary neighborhoods, and even today offers good times for all.
