Globetrotting Mommy

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Summer Fun: Top 10 Things to …

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I’m always amazed by all the things to do in Coney Island. From beaches and museums to all-day amusement park rides and family-friendly eats, Coney Island is a great day trip for the whole family.  Read on for my favorite Coney Island picks…

 Top 10 Things to do in Coney Island

 

Luna Park has 30 family friendly rides.

Luna Park has 30 family friendly rides.

1) Ride the family friendly rides at Luna Park, NYC’s largest amusement park. New this year, Luna Park’s all-day wristband includes unlimited rides (one ride per visit for the Coney Island Raceway and Slingshot) on all 30 Luna Park attractions including the Cyclone. Now that my daughter is over 48” inches, she loved going on The Tickler and Steeplechase rides.

2) Bring your swimsuits and hit the waves at Coney Island’s beach. Coney Island boasts nearly three miles of family friendly beach so bring a cooler and chairs and stay for the day or just take a quick dip and get back on the rides. Don’t forget the sunscreen and other family friendly beach essentials.

3) Stop for a photo-op and snack at Coney Island Walls, the outdoor museum of street art.

10 Things to do on Coney Island. Ride the iconic Cyclone roller coaster.

10 Things to do on Coney Island. Ride the iconic Cyclone roller coaster.

 

4) Celebrate the Cyclone’s 90th anniversary by riding this iconic roller coaster (must be 54 inches). I guarantee you’ll love it.

Nathan's Famous is a must for Coney Island visitors.

Nathan’s Famous is a must for Coney Island visitors.

5) Have a hot dog at world’s famous Nathan’s Famous. If you’re up for it, join in on the world famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest.

6) Take a spin on the historic B&B Carousell which has been gorgeously restored.

7) See the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team in action at MCU Park. Their Sunday Funday games include kiddie perks and giveaways with themes including Paw Patrol, Marvel Super Hero Nights and more.

8) Join in on the famous Mermaid Parade taking place on June 17.
Dino's Wonder Wheel is one of Coney Island's top attractions.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel is one of Coney Island’s top attractions.

9) Take a spin on Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the centerpiece of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. This 97-year old Coney Island landmark offers the best beach and boardwalk views with a choice of swinging or stationary cars. You’ll also find dozens of family friendly rides here including some newly restored vintage rides.

10) Walk along the boardwalk and discover old school arcades, circus shows, and the nearby New York Aquarium.

Before you go, be sure to check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island and check out the events calendar.
Have you been to Coney Island?  Tell me your favorite thing to do there in the comments below.

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Special thanks to the Alliance for Coney Island for inviting us to participate in Coney Island Family Blogger Day. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Coney Island With Kids: Fall …

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Coney Island with kids is always a fun summer retreat but Luna Park’s 2016 Halloween Harvest is one of my don’t miss recommendations for fall. We visited for the grand opening festivities and had a great time checking out the rides and seasonal activities.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Running through October 30th, the Halloween Harvest at Luna Park is sure to please kids of all ages with: 

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, Luna Park

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

  • Dozens of kiddie, moderate and thrill rides at Luna Park (4-hour wristbands are $35)
  • Trick-or-treating with costumed characters
  • Magician shows
  • Kooky, spooky karaoke
  • Hay Maze (with pumpkin picking and painting – additional charge)
  • Live music with dance parties
  • Fun contests and games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Face painting and balloon animals
  • Petting zoo and pony rides
  • Fun photo ops

Additional special events include:

October 9 – Luna Park’s annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest, come pick the winners for Audience Choice, Cutest, Mister/Miss Congeniality, Most Original and Best of Show.

October 23 – Mark and the Maniac Carvers, Brooklyn-based pumpkin carvers transform a giant gourd into a Halloween masterpiece.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Be sure to check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island before you go and don’t forget your camera! If you like to take mural photos, be sure to check out Coney Art Walls for some awesome backdrops.

Luna Park is open on Saturdays from 12 noon to 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon to 8 p.m. For a complete schedule of Halloween Harvest events and activities and for more information, go to www.www.lunaparknyc.com.

Have you visited Coney Island?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Special thanks to the Luna Park for inviting us to attend Halloween Harvest.  All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips …

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Its no secret that my daughter and I love a fun amusement park. With trips to Victorian Gardens, Adventureland, Hershey Park, and Sesame Place under her belt, I knew she would love a visit to nearby Coney Island. I had not been to the famed boardwalk town since pre-Hurricane Sandy so I was equally excited for our staycation day trip. Read on for my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

1 – Plan time for rides. I’m sure its no surprise that rides top my list of tips for visiting Coney Island. Kids of all ages will have hours of fun with a choice of several options including Luna Park, Deno’s WonderWheel Amusement Park, the B&B Carousell and the famed Cyclone. I found these smaller parks very managable, since the rides were very close together and it was pretty easy to navigate. If you want a ride that swings, speeds, bumps, spins upside down or just swivels, you’ll find it here. And, if you’re traveling with toddlers, there are quite a few slower kiddie rides. I love that you can purchase rides with several options ranging from a la carte to all-you-can-ride wristbands, and I also appreciate that non-riders can enter the amusement parks for free.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

2 – Save room for food. Coney Island is home to famed Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and they never disappoint. If you’re looking for something indoors, try Applebee’s or the new Wahlburgers (yes, Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg own this burger hotspot). There are plenty of boardwalk restaurants, bars and snack shops (think funnel cakes, ice cream and everything fried, oh my…) and specialty stores like Piece of Velvet (cupcakes and cakes) and IT’SUGAR (a candy lovers delight). And, Coney Smorgasburg launched last weekend…so there is no shortage of good eats.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Games, New York

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

3 – Find the perfect activity for each kid. Coney Island really has something for everyone. If you’ve got baseball fans, check out a Brooklyn Cyclones game, some of which feature fireworks and character meetings. There are old school arcade games (yes, Zoltar!), amusement park games, circus shows and kids and adults will love a detour to the nearby New York Aquarium.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Beach, New York

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

4 – Pack your beach gear. Coney Island boasts nearly three miles of family friendly beach. Bring a cooler and chairs and stay for the day or just take a quick dip and get back on the rides.  With courts for beach volleyball, handball, and basketball as well as playgrounds, the beach and boardwalk offer up hours of entertainment for families. Don’t forget the sunscreen and other family friendly beach essentials.

Family Fun, Coney Island, Tips, Family Travel, Beach, New York, Events Calendar

Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

5 – Check out the special events schedule before you visit. From the famous Mermaid Parade and Luna Park’s SuperHero Day to circus performances, fireworks and karaoke, Coney Island’s summer schedule is packed with fun for the whole family.

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Special thanks to the Alliance for Coney Island for inviting us to participate in Coney Island Family Blogger Day.  All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top Five Kid Friendly …

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This seemed to be the longest winter EVER so I’m really excited that spring arrives today. If you’re looking for something different to celebrate the arrival of spring over the next few weeks, here are my top five kid friendly activities to celebrate spring…

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Top Five Kid Friendly Activities to Celebrate Spring

1) Spring means colorful flowers and kids of all ages will be amazed by the creations at the 2015 Macy’s flower show Art in Bloom opening this weekend (through April 4). If you’re in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, or San Francisco you’ll definitely want to check out this free show. Last year’s show was amazing so I can’t wait to see it this year.

2) Hersheypark is a great spot for family fun and their Springtime in The Park weekends are set for April 3-5 and 11-12. We took a road trip there last spring and its a great time to go without major crowds or heat waves. Check out my Hersheypark Review here.

3) For adventure seeking families in New York, Luna Park in Coney Island’s season opener is Sunday, March 29. Festivities begin at the famous 88-year-old coaster, the Cyclone with an egg-cream christening at 11:45 am.  The first 100 guests ride free so be sure to arrive early.

4) New York’s 2015 International Children’s Film Festival wraps up this weekend so come check out a kid friendly flick or attend the family friendly closing night celebration.

5) If you follow me on social media, you know my daughter and I attended a preview of Cinderella last week with The Moms and we LOVED it. If you’re looking for a must-see spring movie that will charm girls of all ages, this version of Disney’s Cinderella does not disappoint. The costumes are amazing, the actors and actresses are perfectly cast and even though you know the story, this live action film keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. And, if you’ve got a Frozen fan, the Frozen Fever short beforehand is super cute.

What are your plans to celebrate the arrival of spring?

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