Perennial Coney Island

Recently I made an early June weekday excursion out to iconic Coney Island. The public schools hadn’t yet closed, so it wasn’t crowded; but the attractions were up and running, the beach was speckled with early occupants, and the first-rate aquarium hosted a number of visitors. It’s definitely worth a trip – and here are some snapshots of what awaits you.

This is the historic Coney Island Cyclone, a ride that opened to the public in 1927 and celebrated its 95th birthday this month. Refurbished in the mid-70’s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, it is Coney Island’s last wooden roller coaster.

Here’s the Parachute Jump, a vertical excursion that’s now defunct. Originally built for the 1939 World Fair at Flushing Meadows, it became one of the Fair’s leading attractions. I recall an encounter with it at age six, arranged by my father. The trip to the top took a minute or so, but the drop down lasted little more than 10 seconds.

This guided folks to get around the amusement park.

Welcome to the famous Wonder Wheel, built in 1920 and in continuous operation since that time.

Some of the cars are stationary, but others are moving – and the experience in a swinging car has been described as a “catch-your-breath” thrill.

Here’s Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand, which still exists at its original 1916 site (plus its Boardwalk outreach). It’s the scene of the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July.

The Coney Island Boardwalk runs along the Atlantic Ocean for 2.7 miles. It was opened in 1923, becoming an icon of Coney Island with a number of appearances in the visual arts and film.

An occasional sight along the Boardwalk doesn’t mirror Coney’s playful ambience.

This is called Zenobio, a towering two-armed journey that sweeps you 130 feet in the air at speeds over 60 mph.

Just take a closer look at Soarin' Eagle ––––

Soarin’ Eagle is one of the top rides in Coney Island, with short steep drops, hairpin turns, and inversions.

– and this is a convoluted continuation of the journey.

The Steeplechase is an equestrian-themed roller coaster that creates a sensation of horseback riding, with enough jumps and curves to challenge any jockey.

The Thunderbolt, NYC’s first ever steel roller coaster, debuted at Coney Island in 2014 (a successor to the wooden Thunderbolt that was built in 1925). It features a 90 degree drop plus numerous inversions and turns.

I also ran across some challenging Coney Island games, plus an old-fashioned photo booth.

Here’s the spacious beach, which gets much more crowded on a summer weekend.

Several more beach vistas, featuring sun-seekers on view for the birds.

Then my buddy Gent drove us over to the nearby New York Aquarium – founded in Manhattan’s Battery Park in 1896 and moved to Coney Island in 1957. That’s Gent being welcomed outside by the dinosaur greeter. As you can see, there’s some lively viewing inside.

The aquarium houses a large collection of sharks, including the three shown here.

I don’t know what these fish are called, but I’m fascinated by their splurge of yellow.

Here’s a jellyfish and a crab from the aquarium’s “spineless” section.

The place is full of sea lions (plus an occasional harbor seal). We missed the show they put on at feeding time, but I hear it’s excellent.

For a guy like me with time spent in the Antarctic, watching the penguins frolic is like being back home.

I’ll close with this scene, which I’ve fantasized as the boss penguin (on the top ledge) barking out orders to his faithful troops.