A Nostalgic Look Into Coney Island Americas Playground

Summertime in Coney Island is a slice of New York Americana. Over the years, it’s been dubbed America’s playground as the surrounding neighborhood morphs into a vibrant wonderland of amusement park rides and sideshow entertainment. Classic carnival fare, such as face-size funnel cakes and Nathan’s hot dogs, boardwalk games and umbrella-studded beaches make Coney Island synonymous with New York summer. The best part? This living playground is only a subway ride away from Manhattan’s concrete jungle.

Perhaps most well known for hosting the popular Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and Mermaid Parade, the four-mile-long (6.4 kilometers) peninsula originally started as a sea resort for New York City’s elite. The introduction of amusement parks broadened Coney Island’s appeal and cemented its international reputation as a cultural hub.

This past summer, the 95-year-old Riegelmann Boardwalk that belongs to Coney Island became a designated New York landmark – an apt homage to the evolution of this long-established national treasure that was founded almost a century ago. With an ever-changing calendar of new events, it continues to attract and delight visitors year-round.