DISCOVER CONEY ISLAND’S NEW AND ICONIC ATTRACTIONS THIS AMERICAN SUMMER

—New Additions Include New York City’s First Covered Outdoor Amphitheater and New Rides at Luna Park—
Plan a trip to Coney Island, New York City’s summer playground and experience the new Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk as well as classic attractions like the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel.

“Coney Island is filled with sun, surf, thrills and endless entertainment,” said Marty Markowitz, NYC & Company’s Vice President of Borough Promotion and Engagement. From delighting in sandy beaches and the world-famous boardwalk to catching the latest concert at the brand-new Amphitheater, there are plenty of summer activities for people of all ages to look forward to. When it comes to making a summer trip, Coney Island is inviting, accessible, affordable and never goes out of style.”

What’s New:

Set to open in late June, the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk will be host to a full summer series of live music, comedy shows and family entertainment. The 5,000-seat covered open-air arena, the first of its kind in the tristate area, will feature a star-studded lineup, including Ziggy Marley and Steel Pulse (June 25), Sting and Peter Gabriel (July 3), The Beach Boys (July 4), Hollywood Vampires (July 10) and Fifth Harmony (August 2). The Amphitheater is located at 3052 W. 21st St., Brooklyn. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit coneyislandlive.com

Luna Park’s newest attraction, the Endeavor, is a fresh take on the Enterprise, which debuted in 1972. The ride tilts about 90 degrees and takes guests on a trip 60 feet through the air while spinning at speeds of 25 miles an hour. For the kids, Luna Park has opened the Convoy, a classic train ride that puts youngsters in the driver’s seat.

Summer Highlights:

On the heels of celebrating its 100th anniversary, the original Nathan’s Famous will be hosting its annual 4th of July Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where contestants devour endless amounts of hot dogs and compete for the coveted heavyweight title. This year’s competition promises to be more intense than ever, as 2014 champion and eight-time winner Joey Chestnut seeks to reclaim his title.

On June 18, participants will don mermaid and sea creature costumes during the annual Mermaid Parade, marching east along Surf Avenue from West 21st Street before heading back on the boardwalk and ending in front of MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The parade begins at 1pm.

For an unforgettably unique experience, visitors can witness sword-swallowing, fire-eating and more death-defying tricks at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.

What To See & Do:

Coney Island is home to world-class entertainment attractions, including two amusement parks. Highlighted by Soarin Eagle, Wild River and the legendary Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, Luna Park is a thrill-seekers delight. Adjacent to Luna Park is Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, featuring kid-friendly attractions in addition to five adult-size rides like the 125-foot-tall Thunderbolt roller coaster andWonder Wheel. Declared an official NYC landmark in 1989, the 150-foot Ferris wheel is unique in that it features both stationary and sliding cars.

At Steeplechase Plaza, visitors can marvel at the graceful charm of the B&B Carousell, which features 50 hand-carved wooden horses that were recently painstakingly restored.

Near Luna Park is the New York Aquarium, a family-friendly attraction that is home to an array of sea creatures, including penguins, sea lions, sand tiger sharks, sea turtles and walruses.

For some baseball action, the Brooklyn Cyclones play their home games at MCU Park, kicking off the season on June 17. Afterward, visitors can take a free tour and taste fresh, locally made beer at Coney Island Brewing Company.

Where To Eat:

No trip to Coney Island is complete without munching on hot dogs and crisp crinkle-cut french fries at the original Nathan’s Famous. For a classic meal with a seaside twist venture to Tom’s Coney Island. The beloved Prospect Heights institution has brought its classic diner menu to the Coney Island boardwalk, serving comfort food favorites like eggs, pancakes, burgers, malts and milkshakes, in addition to specialty seafood dishes. For the pizza lovers, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is a local hot spot, while Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano specializes in fresh brick-oven-baked pizza using imported ingredients from Italy. Other notable eateries include Gargiulo's Italian Restaurant and Ruby’s Bar and Grill, a Coney Island boardwalk staple since 1972.

How To Get There:

Coney Island is easily accessible from Midtown Manhattan and beyond via the D, F, N and Q lines to the Stillwell Ave. station.

To discover more of Brooklyn’s neighbourhoods, visit nycgo.com/brooklyn.