Coney Island is New York’s ultimate playground in the summertime! Plan a day trip packed with family-friendly fun: visit the New York Aquarium, enjoy the boardwalk and beach, hop on a ride at Luna Park or Deno’s, or catch a Cyclones game! And don’t miss Coney Island’s rites of summer, including the Mermaid Parade, Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Friday night fireworks, and outdoor movies on the beach. Here’s everything you need to know for your trip to Coney Island this summer. (Updated June 2025)
New York Aquarium
The New York Aquarium, located just off the Coney Island boardwalk, is an incredible destination for kids of all ages. See an interactive show at the Aquatheater, where California sea lions and their trainers perform all sorts of tricks. And discover over 500 incredible species of marine wildlife! Located in the outdoor Sea Cliffs area are the black-footed penguins, harbor seals, and sea otters. Guests can visit the hall of Spineless creatures to see octopuses, moon jellies, zombie worms, and more invertebrates, and visitors will find sharks, rays, sea turtles, and more in the indoor Sharks! exhibit. Learn more about all indoor and outdoor exhibits here. This summer, the Aquarium is also hosting their first-ever Shark Party from July 4–14, with family- friendly activities, including Wildlife Theater, crafts, games, costumed characters, and more.
The aquarium is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. Non-peak admission starts at $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors, $25.95 for children (3-12) and free for children 2 and under. For all admission prices, including for peak hours, click here. Memberships starts at $90, dual memberships starts at $150, and family memberships starts at $225. Don’t miss out on the aquarium’s FREE Wednesday afternoon admission from 3-6pm! The Wednesday Tickets Store opens Monday afternoons at 3pm for that Wednesday’s reservations.
Luna Park
Luna Park has rides and games for all ages! The park’s most famous attraction, the historic Coney Island Cyclone, dates back to 1927 and is the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world. Another thrilling ride can be found on the infamous Thunderbolt Rollercoaster, with its 90 degree drop, plus so many more inversions and turns. There’s also plenty of rides for Luna Park’s youngest visitors, including the historic B&B Carousell and other tamer rides for tykes. Pay-per-ride experiences are available at ticket booths, no admission needed. Or you can purchase wristbands (ranging from $44-$79, depending on day and age) for unlimited rides. Luna Park’s hours vary daily; check their calendar for park hours before you go!
Deno’s Wonder Wheel
Although they are side by side on the boardwalk, Deno’s Wonder Wheel amusement park is separate from Luna Park. Admission is free, but tickets are needed for both adult rides and kiddie rides; see all pricing here. All kiddie rides are $5, and a ride on the Wonder Wheel is $10. The Kiddie Park opens at 11am, and all adults rides (including the Wonder Wheel) open at 12pm daily throughout the summer. Closing times vary with the weather. Pro tip: consider a ride on the Wonder Wheel on Friday nights for the best views of the fireworks!
Coney Island Beach
The beach is open for the season! Swimming is permitted Memorial Day weekend through September 7, daily from 10am to 6pm, with lifeguards on duty. Here’s what else you need to know:
- There is a playground located on the beach, just across the boardwalk from the Wonder Wheel. Bring your sand toys, it’s like one big sandbox!
- There is a beach volleyball court located at W 10th Street.
- Talk a stroll down the Steeplechase Pier, at the intersection of the boardwalk and W 17th Street.
Brooklyn Cyclones
Sports fans will enjoy cheering on Coney Island’s very own minor league baseball team. The Cyclones play in Maimonides Park, just off the Coney Island boardwalk. Join in on the fun with other spirited fans, enjoy the ballpark’s concessions, say hello to the Cyclones’ mascot Sandy the Seagull, and of course, cheer on Brooklyn’s team! Tickets start at $13/person on special pricing game days, $20/person on regular game days. Browse all tickets and pricing here.
Upcoming Events
Play your day trip around one of this summer’s unique events!
Friday Night Fireworks | Friday evenings, June 20–August 29 | 9:45pm | Luna Park puts on a fireworks display every Friday evening throughout the summer.
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest | Friday, July 4 | The 100+ year tradition continues on the Fourth of July, where competitive hot dog eaters go head to head at the Nathan’s Famous flagship at corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues from 11am to 1pm.
Outdoor Movies at Coney Island Beach | Catch the sunset, followed by a movie under the stars, at Coney Island Beach!
- Better Man | Thursday, July 17 | Pre-film activities at 6pm; movie at sunset | R | RSVP here
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy | Thursday, July 24 | Pre-film activities at 6pm; movie at sunset | R | RSVP here
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off | Thursday, July 31 | Pre-film activities at 6pm; movie at sunset | PG-13 | RSVP here
- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie | Thursday, August 7 | Pre-film activities at 6pm; movie at sunset | PG | RSVP here
- The Warriors | Saturday, August 9 | 8:30-10:30pm | R
Summer Concerts | SummerStage will return to the Coney Island Amphitheater for a series of shows this summer:
- GorillaFest | Saturday, July 26 | 5-10pm
- Tony Vega, La Excelencia & Ariacne Trujillo | Friday, August 8 | 7-10pm
- Funk Flex R&B Birthday Party: Carl Thomas, Christopher Williams, Soul for Real, Gina Thompson, Allure & Music by Funk Flex | Saturday, August 16 | 7-10pm
Getting there
- By subway: Take the D, F, N, or Q to Stillwell Ave Station
- By car: Off-street parking is available daily from 8am-8pm at the Official Coney Island Parking Lot next to Maimonides Park (enter at Surf Avenue and West 19th Street). Parking rates are $13 Monday-Friday, $20 on weekends, and $27 during special events. The New York Aquarium is located right off the boardwalk, and their parking spots are at $18 for 0-3 hours, $25 for 3-4 hours, and $40 for over 4 hours.
- On Saturday, July 19 only, ride a vintage train to Coney Island! This special summer Nostalgia Ride is presented by the New York Transit Museum, and riders can take a 1930s vintage train car from 96th Street-Second Avenue Station on two-hour jaunt to Coney Island. The rates are $60/adult and $40/child, or for members, $50/adult and $30/child. More information and tickets here.
What else you need to know for your day trip
- Public restrooms are located conveniently along the boardwalk at various entrances to the beach (W 8th Street, Stillwell Avenue, W 17th Street and W 21st Street.) Restrooms are also located inside of Luna Park, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Nathan’s Famous at their Surf Avenue location.
- Seaside Park, next to the boardwalk and the Coney Island Amphitheater, has picnic tables and playgrounds.
- Leashed dogs are permitted on the boardwalk, but not on the beach.
- No BBQs are allowed on the beach.
- Bike riding and rollerblading are permitted on the boardwalk only between 5am and 10am.
- For classic Coney Island fare, try a Nathan’s hot dog! The original location is on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, and there is also a location on the boardwalk.
Updated: June 27, 2025. Main Image: New York Aquarium.
