CONEY ISLAND


For many New Yorkers, the thought of visiting Coney Island conjures ups thoughts of the 80s when the neighborhood had a pretty bad rep. Some haven’t visited the area in years, or dread thinking of making the trip there from across the boroughs, but for those who hadn’t been there in a while, surprises await for the area is brimming with change.

Like much of Brooklyn, Coney Island is undergoing positive change, and is more a destination place than ever before.

 

CONEY ISLAND BREWERY COMPANY

A really cool and down to earth staff – assuming they are naturally this way and not sampling their product way too often – the fun team at the Coney Island Brewery Company are a welcoming bunch who represent what Coney Island is becoming.

A young hip company, with an invested interest in making a great neighborhood greater, the Coney Island Brewery is open for its first summer and welcoming visitors to coney Island with open arms.

A host of brewery events are scheduled here throughout the season like, Think and Drink on July 5 when you can put on your thinking caps and join in for a night of libations and edification. Winners will take home CIB prize packs. Then there’s Movies and Malt Film Series a curated collection of cult classics and iconic Coney Island films on August 3.

So chances are you’re not showing up just for the events? You’re there for beer!

With brands like Mermaid Pilsner, Freaktoberfest and Coney Island Lager, its easy to see how the Brewery got its inspiration. Brewery beers taste fresh and tart with pep and sting with each swallow. For a good sampling check out Tappy Hour every Thursday featuring $4 pints! from 5-7 in the taproom with eight rotating styles, Not much of a beer drinker? Those with a sweet tooth should go for the Hard Root Beer, it tastes unlike any other you may have had before.

The Brewery also offers free tours and growlers to go.

The Coney Island Brewery is located at 1904 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224

http://coneyislandbeer.com

 

CONEY ISLAND MUSEUM

Did you know that Coney Island was actually an island? Yep, it sure was. You’ll find out about even more fascinating neighborhood history at CIM.

What’s cool about CIM is that it is not a high-tech, interactive, state-of-the-art museum, but more like a pawn shop filled with old stuff like fun house mirrors and bumper carts from past decades.

One of the more interesting exhibits there is the Thompson & Dundy’s Luna Park: 3D Printed by the Great Fredini. This year-long installation by artist Fred Kahl opened in May and is a living exhibit that will expand over the course of the year to recreate the ornate art and architecture of Coney Island’s heyday 100 years ago.

Drop by the museum on your trip out here for a quick tour, as the museum is small and can be viewed in less than an hour. The museum is open through Labor Day, Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm – 6pm, Sunday, 2pm – 6pm. Museum may be closed due to special events, so be sure to check their calendar.

CIM is located at 1208 Surf Avenue. Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, Kids (under 12) and residents of zip code 11224.

Check out this site for the museum and other CI happenings:

http://www.coneyisland.com

 

GARGIULO’S

You probably don’t think of fine dining when it comes to Coney Island, but there’s more to the amusement town than salt water taffy and Nathan’s hot dogs.

Gargiulo’s a family owned restaurant is well known to many old time New Yorkers since 1907. Its ballroom has hosted many weddings and social gatherings creating many fond memories.

In 1965 the Russo brothers (Michael, Victor and Nino) embraced Coney Island and to this day continue to offer their Neapolitan hospitality and cuisine with homestyle cooking in a grand atmosphere.
http://www.gargiulos.com

 

LUNA PARK

The cyclone, the mother of roller coasters, it is the model for what all coasters are made of. Riding the Cyclone is like riding the subway on steroids. Like the F train to Coney Island, you will be jolted, tossed and knocked around as you hold tight in your seat. With 2,640 feet of track, you will go through 12 drops and 27 elevation changes. The historic wooden roller coats feels how it looks, yes still offers one helluva ride since it debuted in 1927.

Want more thrills? Well, you will feel like Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’ after a ride on the nearby Thunderbolt. The two-minute ride will seem to breeze by in seconds when you first take the 90-degree vertical drop, followed by a 100-foot loop and a zero-gravity roll, along with dives, hills and a corkscrew. Hold off on lunch before strapping in this stand up coaster!

http://lunaparknyc.com

 

MCU PARK

This minor league baseball stadium sits next to the Coney Island Brewery. How convenient, right? Its home team is the New York-Mets affiliated Brooklyn Cyclones. The New York University Violets also play there.

There are 7,500 seats, but the stadium is trying to boost attendance with special promotional offers to get people to come out and enjoy the games.

The stadium has a concourse with free-standing concession buildings and overhanging florescent lamps different colors, evoking an amusement park atmosphere. Plus the park overlooks the Atlantic Ocean as well as some famous Coney Island landmarks like the Parachute Jump, Wonder Wheel and Cyclone.

Want to know more about Coney Island? The best way is to just go on out! Take New York City Subway trains, D, F, N or Q lines or find out first about upcoming events at www.AllianceforConeyIsland.org.