This amusement venue takes its name and aesthetic from one of the "Nickel Empire" parks of yore—the old Luna Park, which operated from 1903 until it was destroyed by fire in 1944.
Riding in the front car affords riders the best view, while sitting in the rear gives the feeling of greater speed.
There are two lines: one for swinging cars and one for stationary (which is often shorter). Whichever you chose, be sure to snap a pic from the top! Fun fact: The Wonder Wheel weighs 400,000 pounds.
Cast members include Scott "The Twisted Shockmeister" Baker (master escape artist and live-cricket eater), Insectavora (a fire-eating femme fatale) and Serpentina (a snake-charming contortionist).
It's not all about hot dogs (though that's probably what you're here for)—the french fries and clams are popular choices, too. You can even buy frog's legs at the Surf Avenue location, if you dare.
One of the classic Coney Island boardwalk joints, Paul’s Daughter has been serving corndogs, hot dogs, Italian ices, knishes, cotton candy, clams on the half shell, beer and more for 6-plus decades.
Hipsters, locals and freaks (from the sideshow) gather. Everyone's welcome at this boardwalk bar, where beer is served in plastic cups and consumed on plastic chairs, and every hour is happy hour.
Seem familiar? This is the Coney Island branch of Brooklyn favorite Tom's in Prospect Heights. There are some seafood items on the Coney menu, but the original Tom's classics are all there, too.
Whatever you do, DON'T ASK FOR A MENU. There are none, as Totonno's matriarch Louise "Cookie" Ciminieri will be quick to remind you. Just check the menu board in the back of the restaurant.
The main attractions here are the chewy, sugary candied Granny Smith apples. When's the last time you had one? C'mon. Go for it!
Fun fact: The Brooklyn Cyclones are known for their outlandish promotions. In the past, they've offered free tickets for life to anyone who would agree to name their child Brooklyn or Cy.
Admission on Fridays from 3pm until closing is pay-what-you-wish. Fun fact: This is America's oldest aquarium, dating to 1896.
Coney Island was explored by Henry Hudson in 1609; he landed on Manhattan the next day.
