• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
June 7, 2009

Building Memories in Coney Island, NY

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Lazy mornings, if ignored, can lead to lazy afternoons until they become days, causing, without notice the complete extinction of a day once fully planned with activities.  This was the danger we faced this morning.  And though there is nothing wrong with lazy mornings, afternoons, or days, it is very rare that the ones feeling “lazy” are my children, thus forcing the laziness right out of me, in exchange for my sanity and avoidance of the complete collapse of our small NYC apartment from all the running around and crazy boy energy being contained there.

By the time we headed out on our chosen adventure, it was almost 2:00 PM.  Dangerous time zone during which to venture anywhere with toddlers who refuse to nap, but off we went.  The sun was bright, and the breeze a bit chillier than it should be for early June.  We made our way to Brooklyn across the Belt Parkway, past the incredibly proud, incredibly beautiful sights of the Verrazano Bridge.  This is a B/Q train commute, but I was happy we opted to take the car because the day was really worth taking in above ground.

img_6885

img_6881We arrived to Coney Island just as the little ones were starting to get restless (this is also where the NY Aquarium is located).  My 3.5 year old especially, after having seen a commercial for a kids’ amusement park, was eager to get on some rides.  Little did he know that the destination his parents had chosen wasn’t the one he had seen on t.v.

Coney Island is a place full of memories for me.  I remember coming here often as a child, and on dates or with friends as a young woman.  It’s one of those places that you can go to and really revel in the cheesy-ness of it all, because therein lies the innocence that most New Yorkers had when they first visited the area.  So as we walked in to purchase tickets I couldn’t help but feel like I was passing on the New York tradition onto my boys, and really no matter how many times I comes here, I always feels this way.

img_6892

img_6898

img_6899

img_6951I wasn’t sure what it was, if it was too early in the season, if it was the chill in the air, or the fact that it was later in the day, but the park wasn’t very crowded at all which was a nice surprise because it meant that my boys, especially the little ones who have yet to master the art of waiting, were able to get on rides quickly (note that as a tip of when best to go to avoid lines).

 The park grounds is divided into two areas.  Astroland which was the amusement park for  many years is now closed.  In its place is Deno’s Wonder Wheel which is located on the right side, closest to the historic ferris wheel.  Though we started on some of the rides located on the left side of the park, the ones on the right side of the park are far better rides (and newer) for the little ones.  They didn’t care though, it seemed that pretty much anything they rode they absolutely loved.

img_6907

img_6925

img_6950

img_6940

img_6980

img_6955

img_6960After a few rides my husband and I were able to convince the boys to head over to the boardwalk.  The Coney Island boardwalk is where the heart of Coney Island is.  It’s where you go to people watch, grab something to eat or snack on, and walk around.  It was busy and loud from the sounds of the vendors, arcades, and music being played all around. The boys happily ate their corn dogs and funnel cakes as they watched all the action around them.

img_6997

img_6998

img_7000

img_7005

img_7006Afterwards we headed onto the beach.  The sand, clean and uncrowded, was soft and cool to the touch. People happily played volleyball, while the muscle heads worked out by the free weight area, and the children played in the small monkey bar and slide play area.  At one point, the 3.5 year old asked to go closer to the water with his father.  I’m not clear on the details of what happened, but when they got back the child was completely wet, and the father’s sneakers were drenched as well.

‘He said he just wanted to step in,” said his dad, “but next thing I knew, he was running full speed ahead into the water!”

Yup, that sounds like him.  That kid loves the beach, no matter what the temperature of the water!

After changing the boys into clean/dry clothes, we laid out our blankets and the little ones set out to play while we laid in the sun and enjoyed the cool breeze coming from the ocean.

img_7010

img_7014

img_7013

img_7015

img_7026

img_7032

img_7018

img_7029Once the kids started showing signs of being ready to go, we packed up our things and headed back to the boardwalk. However, before we could leave, we took part on the boardwalk tradition of dancing to the music provided by the Coney Island Dancers.  The fun was so contagious that even my 11 year old joined in the fun, dancing with me to the tunes of “Funky Town”.

img_7036

img_7041

img_7042

img_7048

img_7054

img_70511

img_7057You can’t leave without riding the Cyclone.  Well, honestly, there are two things one should always do when in Coney Island (when dietary and physical restrictions don’t apply) and that is to 1) eat hot dogs at Nathan’s and ride the Cyclone.

img_7060

img_7072

img_6888

img_6887On our way back home the little ones fell asleep, I drove while my husband rested, and my 11 year old, in love with his parents at this point, couldn’t stop thanking us for such a wonderful day.  Another happy memory successfully passed on, I thought to myelf as I smiled listening to the click of my camera while the 11 year old, completely happy and inspired, tried to capture every inch of our way home. Here are a few of his photos.

img_7074

img_7089

img_7093

Note: Best to take plenty of cash, though ATMs are available throughout, you may get hit with high transaction fees.  Also, remember that the rides located on the right side of the park are newer, and in general, nicer.  Rides range between one to two tickets per person. Most rides have a 36″ height requirement unless accompanied by a responsible person. Also check out the Coney Island site for upcoming events, such as the incredibly popular Mermaid Parade takes place in the early summer.

New York City Family Travel Tips

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
2 Comments
  • Queens Mamas
    June 7, 2009

    Coney Island is my most favorite place in the city to take the kids. It is so under rated. Glad you did a post about it… and great photos

    Reply
  • Evelyn
    June 9, 2009

    I loved this post too! LOL. The first paragraph is so well written.. I can't wait for your to do a book!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
NYC Travel Photography: A Stroll to the Park
Next Post
Discovering The High Line, NYC

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting a beautiful new mural at Elmira’s Mural Fest this year (weather permitting on Saturday, if not on a less rainy day)! Last year he painted this board which was recently on display still at @communityartselmira. 

Hopefully we have a sunny day and you can come out to support Travis and all the muralists that day! See you there!

#elmirany #painter #artist #communityarts
Sometimes it’s like I never left. #newyork Sometimes it’s like I never left. 

#newyork
SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries with him the entrepreneurial spirit he’s inherited from his parents. 

While successfully working in supply chain management for a global corporation based in NYC, he continues to manage and operate his own product, @getcalma, a comforting heated eye mask that is currently on the Amazon top seller list for two years in a row and has a growing consumer following! 

We are so incredibly proud of David and his growing success as an entrepreneur and in his career, and know the future will continue to be bright for him!

To learn more about Calma and make a purchase, visit his website at GetCalma.com. 

#proudmomma #getcalma #entreprenuer #smallbusiness
The time has come to move on from my role as a bar The time has come to move on from my role as a barista at @the_garage_at_rye and towards my next adventure. 

I started this journey with a curiosity for a craft I admired and wanted to learn more about. It turned into a job. Then a serious passion. And now here I am, launching Café Cómodo (KOH-moh-doh), which means “Comfortable/cozy” in Spanish, a pop-up café serving espresso and seasonal drinks at local farmers markets and private events! (@cafecomodony)

Starting yet another business was never my intent…and yet, I fell further in love with the craft, the industry, and the culture.

I owe so much of what I have learned to @seschieber, who took me under her wings and taught me so much (and still does) and who embraced my nerdiness and eagerness with patience and kindness….and in the process became one of my dearest friends. Working alongside her has felt like winning the golden ticket. She further instilled in me a respect for the craft, the industry, and a commitment to always strive for a quality product, even in a world of Dunkins and Starbucks. 

Grateful for @abbdawes, @hannahmariee93, and Amanda who tolerated my clumsiness at the start while I fumbled my way through the register and the various drink recipes!

I wasn’t sure where this journey would lead, and as I look back at these clips I realize how much I have changed in the process. It’s not always a place that impacts you, but rather the people in it.

I will miss the regulars I’ve gotten to know whose names and drink orders I memorized and who I looked forward to serving. 

I’m so grateful for everything I learned, beyond just making coffee, because I know it will help me to further grow as a leader, an entrepreneur, and a team member wherever I go and in everything I do next.

I won’t miss the dark morning wake ups and long drives before sunrise though! 

I’m proudest of myself for wanting to develop a new skill and ✨DOING IT✨ even when it felt awkward, nerving, and impossible. I hope you will follow me on this next chapter and come say hi at the market (and hire me for your next event)!

Thank you to Charlie Hunter, owner of The Garage for this opportunity.

#coffee #cafe #popupcafe
Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the sounds of this beautiful place I call home. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #upstateny
Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the way. 

@shellyk_025

#baristalife #barista #coffeeislife

Copyright © 2025 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice