First Time At Coney Island

By Bella Cannizzo

Vintage Photos of Coney Island - Business Insider (Site)

I have never been to Coney Island. For many years, I have only heard stories from family members about the boardwalk: sunny days and thrilling rides. I have seen it in movies, portrayed as the dreamiest seaside escape, and stumbled across pictures of the aquarium online. It always felt like one of those places that exists in both the past and present. Coney Island is frozen in time. 

This weekend, I am heading there with my new boyfriend. We were especially drawn by the aquarium. Both of us love animals, so seeing marine life felt like the perfect plan. We realized how easy it was to get there, a quick hop on the subway with no traffic. There is something incredibly romantic about the idea of holding his hand as we walk the boardwalk with the ocean breeze in our hair. It is not just a day trip, it feels like a little moment pulled out of a movie. Ice cream cones, arcade games, laughter echoing from the amusement rides, and that feeling of being a kid again. 

Coney Island is more than a beach and amusement park. In the mid-1870s, it began transforming from a farming community into a bustling seaside resort. Over the decades, it grew into an iconic escape for New Yorkers and travelers. Today, the New York Aquarium is one of the oldest operating aquariums in the city. But, Luna Park’s rides are where the action is at.  

Now, I get to see it for myself… with someone special. We are very excited!  If you are curious to go, this spring is the perfect time before the summer crowds arrive.