September 10, 2010: Bob's brother (David) and sister-in-law (Val) are visiting New York this weekend. They stayed with us Thursday night, and on Friday we all took a trip to Coney Island in Brooklyn! Aaron is also here visiting from Seattle, and went along with us too! It's been ages since I've been there, and I was up for the adventure.
We did the tourist version: spent some time on the Boardwalk, rode on the Wonder Wheel (my first time!) and took lots of photos. And what better way to top off the day, than with hot dogs from the original Nathan's!?!?
Boardwalk and Parachute Jump* looking west!
*The Parachute Jump is one of three rides at Coney Island that are protected as designated NYC landmarks and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. At 262 feet tall and weighing 170 tons, the Parachute Jump was originally built for the 1939 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadow Park, and was the first ride of its kind. Patrons were hoisted 190 feet in the air before being allowed to drop, using guy-wired parachutes. The ride was moved to its current site, then part of the Steeplechase Park Amusement Park, in 1941, and is the only portion of Steeplechase Park still standing today. Although the ride has been closed since 1968, it remains standing as a Coney Island landmark and is sometimes referred to as Brooklyn's Eiffel Tower!
Boardwalk looking East, toward the NY Aquarium
Bathhouse near the pier!
Pier at Coney Island
Boardwalk Delights
"Shoot the Freak" is not very politically correct,
but this attraction drew lots of attention!
Basically it was shooting a moving human target with paintballs!
Deno's Wonder Wheel* Amusement Park ~
a separate Amusement Park within an Amusement Park!
*The Wonder Wheel is the second of three rides at Coney Island protected as designated NYC landmarks and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1918 and opened in 1920, this steel Ferris wheel has both stationary cars and rocking cars that slide along a track. It holds 144 riders, stands 150 feet tall, and weighs over 2,000 tons. At night the Wonder Wheel's steel frame is outlined and illuminated by neon tubes. It is part of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
Yes!! We rode the Wonder Wheel ~ in one of the rocking cars! It was my first time on this ride! But I have to say I was a bit disappointed that a $5.00 ticket bought only 2 complete revolutions and 4 rocking episodes!
Suzi & Bob (credit to David)
Val & David
View from the top of the Wonder Wheel!
Carousel:
More amusements!
Tickets to Adventure!
The Cyclone*
The Cyclone* roller coaster is the third of three rides at Coney Island protected as designated NYC landmarks and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1927, it is one of the nation's oldest wooden coasters still in operation. A favorite of some coaster aficionados, the Cyclone includes an 85-foot (26 m), 60 degree drop. It is owned by New York City, and was operated by Astroland, under a franchise agreement. It is located across the street from Astroland.
All three of the New York City historical landmarked rides: the Parachute Jump (left background), the
Wonder Wheel (right background) and the Cyclone (foreground)!
Wonder Wheel (right background) and the Cyclone (foreground)!
Back on the Boardwalk
(Bob & David):
Suzi & Val (credit to David)
What's a trip to Coney Island without an original Nathan's hotdog?!
Nathan's Hall of Fame!
There's always a line at the original Nathan's!
A fun Day!!!!
To be continued......
at South Street Seaport!
While driving David & Val into Manhattan to their hotel, we decided to stop at South Street Seaport to do a bit more sightseeing!
Four of us (minus David, who took this shot)
Classic Brooklyn Bridge:
Circle Line Tours
Downtown Brooklyn, seen from the Seaport
Seaport
New York Water Taxi
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