Overview
Coney Island and Brighton Beach are in Brooklyn. In addition to those two neighborhoods, this article covers Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, and Sheepshead Bay.
4 sights · 7 things to do · 7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Coney Island and Brighton Beach
Coney Island
The Coney Island Cyclone
Opened in 1927, the Coney Island Cyclone or (the Cyclone) is one of the world's oldest and still operating wooden roller coasters and was declared a New York City Landmark on July 2, 1988. It was also placed on the Natio…
New York Aquarium
Although it looks small, the New York Aquarium is a nice place for children and adults to spend an hour or two. Highlights include a shark tank, a sea lion show, sea cliffs (with penguins, sea otters, and harbor seals), …
Brooklyn Cyclones
New York Mets single-A minor league team, which plays in Coney Island right next to the Boardwalk at MCU Park. They were established to fill the void of Brooklyn's old Major League Baseball team the Dodgers, who left for…
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
The Wonder Wheel itself is the main attraction here. Choose the swinging cars for an extra thrill. There are numerous other adult and kiddie rides.
Luna Park
Named after the original 1903 Luna Park, this amusement park is bringing thrills to Brooklyn.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby New York City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
To get to Coney Island, take the D, F, N, or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue. On all of these but the Q, keep your eyes peeled for the massive train yard you will pass on the way.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $134–$134 a night (typical $146), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$240.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Coney Island, The Coney Island Cyclone, Luna Park
- Lunch Nathan's Famous
- Afternoon Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk
- Dinner Totonno's
- Evening Wheeler's Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Sheepshead Bay Piers
- Lunch Randazzo's Clam Bar
- Dinner Kashkar Cafe
Day 3
- Morning Adventurer’s Park - Family Entertainment Center
- Lunch John's Deli
- Dinner L & B Spumoni Gardens
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Coney Island is a varied neighborhood of old pizzerias, Nathan's Original hotdog stand and newer Russian restaurants and others. Brighton Beach is a huge Russian neighborhood, with immigrants from other parts of the former Soviet Union, too. You can find all kinds of Russian gourmet shops, bars and restaurants in that neighborhood. If you have Russian friends, ask them which restaurants are good at the moment, as these things tend to be very changeable. Sheepshead Bay is a traditionally Italian neighborhood, and also Jewish. It's historically been a place to go for seafood, although Lundy's, its most famous seafood restaurant, closed some time ago.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Coney Island. Ah, the famous Coney Island. The Cyclone, a 1927 roller coaster, is the most famous of the amusement park rides at Coney Island, for good reason: It packs a lot of thrill into a small lot. There is also a great view of Manhattan from the top of the Wonder Wheel (a large Ferris wheel). Otherwise, the amusement park is somewhat seedy, which is part of its appeal. The high concentration of public housing projects in the area does make the neighborhood around the amusement park somewhat unsafe. Precaution should be taken if exploring these areas.
- Brighton Beach is home to the largest Russian-speaking community outside of the former USSR. It's unlike any other neighborhood in the city. Mosey on along the famous boardwalk and have a shashlik (shish kebab) with a shot of vodka for lunch.
- Sheepshead Bay is not far from the Coney Island amusement parks. It is a traditionally Italian and Jewish neighborhood and is now populated by many Chinese and Russian immigrants. There are piers along the bay on Emmons Avenue where anyone can cast a line out onto the water for a day of fishing. Includes restaurants along the bay.
- Gravesend was the oldest English settlement in New York. Parts of it are now a Syrian Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, populated by many people in the rug trade who live in lovely houses, many of them very tasteful and worth walking past just to admire the architecture and landscaping, such as for example on Ave. S east of the Kings Highway stop on the F train. There is also a small Chinese neighborhood on Ave. U near the Ave. U Q train station that has some worthwhile Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants and shops. Perhaps fittingly, Gravesend is also home to huge graveyards that are visible from the F subway line.
Get in
By subway
To get to Coney Island, take the D, F, N, or Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue. On all of these but the Q, keep your eyes peeled for the massive train yard you will pass on the way.
Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay are covered by the Q and B (weekdays only).
For Gravesend, take the N to Avenue U.
By car
The Belt Parkway serves the district from I-278, which continues north towards Gowanus and Red Hook, Downtown and Southwest Brooklyn. If you're coming from Manhattan, use the I-478 which merges into the I-278.
See
See The Coney Island Cyclone
Opened in 1927, the Coney Island Cyclone or (the Cyclone) is one of the world's oldest and still operating wooden roller coasters and was declared a New York City Landmark on July 2, 1988. It was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 26, 1991. Although in 1927 the roller coaster cost only 25 cents to ride, it now costs $10.
See Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese Monument
Statue of Jackie Robinson, first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Pee Wee Reese was a strong supporter of his. These two Hall of Fame players were on the Dodgers together from 1947 to 1956.
Do
Sports
Amusement parks
Buy
Eat
Coney Island is a varied neighborhood of old pizzerias, Nathan's Original hotdog stand and newer Russian restaurants and others. Brighton Beach is a huge Russian neighborhood, with immigrants from other parts of the former Soviet Union, too. You can find all kinds of Russian gourmet shops, bars and restaurants in that neighborhood. If you have Russian friends, ask them which restaurants are good at the moment, as these things tend to be very changeable. Sheepshead Bay is a traditionally Italian neighborhood, and also Jewish. It's historically been a place to go for seafood, although Lundy's, its most famous seafood restaurant, closed some time ago.
Eat John's Deli
Great roast beef heroes.
Eat Kashkar Cafe
Really flavorful, inexpensive Uyghur food, big portions, friendly service. The personnel are observant Muslims, so no alcoholic drinks; consider washing your meal down with ayran (yogurt drink) or green tea.
Eat L & B Spumoni Gardens
Consistently rated by many as one of the best pizzerias in the city. Talk to any Brooklynite and they will tell you to get an "L & B Square".
Eat Nathan's Famous
Nathan's original location, opened in 1916, offers great hot dogs, fries, grilled chicken, etc. Prices are somewhat high, with a hot dog costing $3.25. On July 4th, they host their world-famous hot dog eating contest.
Eat Randazzo's Clam Bar
This is a classic Italian-American seafood specialist right across the street from the water in Sheepshead Bay, in operation since 1932. It's consistently good, the portions are large, and the atmosphere is informal and convivial. The marinara sauce comes in mild, medium and hot varieties.
Eat Tatiana Restaurant
This Russian restaurant has beach-view tables on the boardwalk. There's a Vegas-style floor show. Tatiana's Grill is a few doors down.
Eat Totonno's
A family pizzeria that's been continually operating since 1905. The crust produced in their coal-fired oven is one of the very best around - thin, crisp, and charred with a sweet sauce. Whole pies only, no slices. A few blocks from the Coney Island boardwalk. Cash only.
Drink
There are Russian bars in Brighton Beach. The more expensive ones tend to be right on the Boardwalk, and they also offer full meals and sometimes a floor show. However, you may be able to get some inexpensive vodka and good homey Russian food a few blocks from the beach. Or hey, just grab a beer like many New Yorkers do, but keep in mind that if you openly drink alcohol outside, you can get a summons, which is why convenience stores normally sell beer in paper bags.
Drink Wheeler's Restaurant
Wheeler's has creditable food, with a fairly extensive menu and many mains below $20, but it's also a sports bar with a good and well-priced drink selection, including some excellent whiskeys, and friendly bartenders and clientele. Look for their bar hours to be extended again as the pandemic ebbs.
Sleep
Nearby
Queens
City / town · 3 listings · 8 mi away
Gateway National Recreation Area
Park · 16 listings · 9 mi away
Sandy Hook
Park · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Bayonne
City / town · 23 listings · 10 mi away
Staten Island
City / town · 59 listings · 10 mi away
Jersey City
City / town · 71 listings · 10 mi away
Hoboken
City / town · 22 listings · 11 mi away
Weehawken
City / town · 10 listings · 13 mi away
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