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Sigmund Freud allegedly once said, “The only thing that interests me in America is Coney Island.”

Tough, but let's look at the evidence: there are miles of sandy beaches, a promenade for strolling, attractions galore, a parade of topless mermaids and a television competition that is entirely dedicated to eating hot dogs. Whether you agree with Mr. Freud or not, it is impossible to dispute the fact that Coney Island, which, by the way, is actually a peninsula and not an island, seriously competes with other areas.

Event cartel found little known facts about this "America's Playground."

The miracle wheel became a wedding gift
In 1948, Greek immigrant Denos Vourderis gave his future wife Lula what every woman dreams of getting on her wedding day: a 150-foot tall Ferris wheel in the middle of Coney Island. Well, as a gift... More like a promise that if she marries him, he will buy it as soon as he can. Starting out as a hot dog vendor, Vourderis kept his word and eventually bought the attraction, which, after first opening in 1920, reopened decades later in 1983. The tradition still lives on and the attraction, now run by his son Steve, remains popular as a place to propose marriage.

Premature babies were once shown on the streets for money
While the Coney Island Boardwalk is lined with shops and food trucks, things were a little different in the early 1900s. If you had walked through an amusement park back in those days, you would have likely come across glass incubators containing tiny, premature babies. The idea came from Dr. Martin Coney, who organized a small demonstration where parents brought premature babies to help them survive. Although he did not ask for money for his help, he did ask patrons for a fee of 25 cents per view. Of course, this is a completely strange approach, but of the 8,000 premature babies who passed on to Coney, approximately 6,500 survived.

A giant elephant-shaped hotel turned brothel was once called the home of Coney Island.
Long ago, on the corner of Surf Ave and West 12th St, there stood a seven-story, elephant-shaped house that hid many secrets. Inside the elephant, which was erected in 1885, was concert hall, a museum, a tobacconist's shop, spiral staircases (legs) leading to rooms, and telescopes (eyes). Its creator, James Lafferty, even called it “the eighth wonder of the world.” But as they say, nothing lasts forever, and what started out as a 31-room hotel eventually turned into a brothel with prostitutes. It all burned down in September 1896, but there is no doubt that he lived a legendary life while he still existed.

If Coney Island didn't exist, there would be no frozen custard.
It was the summer of 1919, and ice cream sellers were panicking about how quickly the ice cream was melting. Until two siblings, Archie and Elton Khor, had a brilliant idea. They mixed egg yolks into ice cream, which not only stopped melting, but also accidentally turned into the world's first silky-smooth frozen custard. The brothers are rumored to have sold more than 18,000 units in the first weekend alone.

The first in the world appeared in Coney Island roller coaster
No, we are not talking about the famous Cyclone. Before the rickety wooden ride we know and love from 1927, there was a 600-foot-long railroad track. Opened in June 1884 by a guy named LaMarcus Thompson, the ride, which stood where the Cyclone is now, traveled at a speed of 6 miles per hour 50 feet above the ground. For comparison, the height of the Cyclone is 85 feet, and the most high slide V North America- approximately 456 feet. Oh, and it only cost 5 cents per ride (Cyclone costs $10 today).

Coney Island is also responsible for many other firsts
You can also thank this creative district for the country's first bike lanes. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and built in 1894 to connect Coney Island and Prospect Park, the route, which stretches five miles along Ocean Parkway, is still popular with racers (though it no longer reaches Prospect Park). Previously, cyclists could only travel 12mph on this bike lane to avoid racing - any speed is now allowed.

Cary Grant owes part of his stardom to Coney Island
Before the dapper Hollywood actor captured the hearts of silver screen audiences in films such as North by Northwest and His Girl Friday, he drew crowds as a Coney Island entertainer while balancing on 6-foot stilts. Grant was hired by Steeplechase Park founder George Tillew in the early 1920s and his costume consisted of a bright green coat, jockey cap and black trousers.

Beaches were not always accessible to the public
Believe it or not, Coney Island was pretty private in the early days. Now at three miles sandy beaches area can accommodate crowds of people from all walks of life for free, this was not always the case. People had to pay 10 cents per locker room to gain access to an exclusive beach, or go elsewhere to sunbathe. This was the case until 1923, when public embankments were built in the city and playgrounds were opened to everyone.

Before the Mermaid Parade, there was a Mardi Gras Parade in Coney Island.
The Mermaid Parade was not the first performance to move to the streets. For fifty years, from 1903 to 1954, Coney Island hosted a week-long extravaganza that became known as the Coney Island Mardi Gras Parade, complete with floats, music and thousands of cheering spectators. Unlike its fishtail-and-body-paint counterpart, which coincides with the summer solstice, this parade was held on Labor Day. There was a lot of good that came out of this bash - in fact, the whole party was organized to raise money to rebuild and save a shelter for fallen women that had been destroyed in a fire.

Creepy yellow submarine in townCreek in Coney Island has nothing to do with the songBeatles, but...
...and she has a rather interesting story: years after S. S. Andrea Doria, ocean liner, sank off the coast of Nantucket in 1956, a thought was born in the mind of shipyard welder Jerry Bianco. He decided to build a submarine to recover the valuable remains of the ship. Although the ship capsized on its first voyage and was later damaged and washed away by a storm, Bianco's idea proved viable.

Nathan's first hot dog cost 5 cents
Hot dogs may cost $4 apiece now, but Nathan Handwerker sold them for 5 cents in 1916. As the story goes, he did this to compete with his former employer, Charles Feltman (who some say invented the hot dog), who sold them for 10 cents. Not everything has changed though... the secret recipe is the same as the original version 100 years ago and can still be purchased at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues.

Coney Island is a small, colorful peninsula in southern Brooklyn with a population of over 60,000 people. The peninsula attracts with its huge beach. Since the early 20s, an atmosphere of fun and joy reigns here. Coney Island is known for its large beach, boulevards and attractions.

Coney Island and Brooklyn Tour

Coney Island - perfect place to avoid extreme heat during the summer. Beaches, boulevards and roller coasters are the three main elements that characterize this fun place. You can even swim here. If you want to explore Brooklyn and Coney Island while enjoying stops at some great pizzerias, I recommend taking . It's also the perfect option for visiting Coney Island Beach, as you can get there without the hassle of taking the subway (takes about an hour!).

Luna Park Amusement Park

In the past, Coney Island was home to a majority of low-income residents. Today, the peninsula has gained popularity among creative youth and hipsters. During the reconstruction period, several years ago, many establishments were closed, but some attractions were left in the same place. Be sure to check out the Wonder Wheel and the 87-year-old roller coaster. The famous Nathan's with delicious hot dogs is located near the attractions. The Coney Island amusement park has been completely renovated, but retains its original name, Luna Park. Anyone can walk around Luna Park for free, but you need tickets to enter the attractions.

Amphitheater at Coney Island

The Coney Island Amphitheater on the waterfront is a specially designed venue for various concerts and other events. The building is partially covered. It is especially pleasant to visit there in the summer, although events take place all year round. You can view the concert calendar for the Coney Island Amphitheater.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

First held in 1983, the Mermaid Parade has become a popular celebration marking the beginning of... summer season. What should you expect? Hundreds of mermaids, Neptunes and other sea creatures! The parade is considered a family event, but be aware that there is some skimpy attire. The Coney Island Mermaid Parade takes place every year in early summer.

Brighton Beach

The legendary Brighton Beach is part of Coney Island. When visiting this unique part of the city, you are likely to hear more people speakers of an Eastern European language than English speakers. Most The population of this area consists of immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Brighton Beach is often called Little Russia or Little Odessa. There is a special atmosphere here, it is difficult to understand in which camp you are. Many New Yorkers choose to spend hot summer days here next to the wonderful beach. When visiting bars and restaurants you will notice the influence of Eastern European culture. It's completely normal to start the day by ordering peppered vodka with honey and enjoying caviar at a reasonable price.

How to get to Coney Island

Coney Island is a peninsula, former island, located in Brooklyn. The name comes from a corruption of the Dutch Konijn Eiland - Rabbit Island.

Geography

Coney Island is located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn and is divided into four neighborhoods: Seagate, Coney Island proper, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. The length of the peninsula from west to east is about 4 miles (6.4 km), the average width is about half a mile (800 m). Along the ocean coast stretches the Riegelman Promenade, a wooden promenade starting in Brighton Beach and ending at the border of the Coney Island area with Seagate. In the Coney Island area, one of the area's main thoroughfares also runs along the coast - Surf Avenue, which turns into Brighton Beach Avenue in Brighton Beach and Oriental Boulevard in Manhattan Beach area.

Attractions

Aquarium

The New York Aquarium is located on the shore Atlantic Ocean, on Surf Avenue. The aquarium is separated from the ocean by a beach and a wooden boardwalk running along the shore. The aquarium has several pavilions and a swimming pool where circus performances with dolphins are held.

Amusement park

On the shore, between the promenade and Surf Avenue, there is an amusement park that includes a Ferris wheel and a parachute tower. There is a baseball stadium nearby.

Coney Island in various locations

Seagate, neighbor to the west

This microdistrict, fenced off from the rest of Brooklyn, occupies the entire western tip of Coney Island, is located on the very southern point Brooklyn. Basically, the area is built up with private houses, more often single-family houses. Some overlook Gravesend Bay, offering stunning views of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Seagate is fenced off from Coney Island with a metal mesh. Entry and exit, as well as entry and exit, are carried out only through the checkpoint. The neighborhood is patrolled by an autonomous police department, but in the event of serious incidents, the NYPD can take control of the situation in Seagate. Seagate has 7 synagogues and one church. Old Church converted into one of the checkpoints. Seagate also has a park, several sports complexes, beach club, and several nursing homes. Across the street from one of the checkpoints is the final station for buses going to Brooklyn.…

Coney Island is a peninsula on the southern tip of Brooklyn. Once the largest entertainment center in the United States, it is now a residential area and ocean beach.

In O. Henry's story "The Penny Suitor", a millionaire fell in love with a saleswoman, proposed to her and promised to show her wonderful places where gondolas float among palaces and elephants walk between Hindu temples. The millionaire offered a trip around the world, and the poor thing decided that he wanted to take her to Coney Island, and gave her “penny admirer” her resignation.

The misunderstanding occurred because at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries Coney Island was seaside resort with lots of entertainment. Millions of visitors came there to escape the summer heat or enjoy the local attractions. Luna Park was illuminated with newfangled electric light bulbs; in Dreamland Park, visitors were taken along a small railway past imitations of Venetian canals and alpine mountains. Real elephants walked there too. Poor, poor saleswoman!

At the beginning of the 20th century, Dreamland opened a most amazing exhibition of working incubators for premature babies at that time. In a real hospital room, one wall was glass, and it was through this that onlookers who paid ten cents peered in. This is how Dr. Martin Coney proved the need new technology(Incubators were not used in hospitals at that time). Many premature babies were saved at Dreamland; it did not cost parents anything - the costs were covered by visitors.

In the forties, Robert Moses, the “builder of New York,” took on Coney Island. He demolished several entertainment districts to build an aquarium and an ice skating rink in their place. The last amusement park closed in 1964. In the fifties, “Rabbit Island,” as its name is translated from mixed Dutch and English, became a peninsula when Coney Island Creek was partially filled in.

Now Coney Island consists of three quarters - Sea Gate, Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, where immigrants from the USSR and new Russia.

Sea Gate Quarter (“ Sea Gate") on the western tip of the peninsula - private. It is surrounded by water on three sides, and closed by a fence on the fourth. Residents of the quarter have their own beaches and piers, the streets are quiet, and in the summer everyone wears swimsuits. A completely separate life.

But Coney Island has plenty of room for public area. The famous ocean beach occupies almost five kilometers, separated from residential areas by a wide wooden embankment. There are a lot of cafes and shops here. The recently opened new Luna Park is full of modern attractions. The New York Aquarium, overlooking the waterfront, offers game viewing sea ​​lions and otters

On the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell Avenue you can visit a historic diner - Nathan's Famous Frankfurters. Frankfurters are hot dogs that Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker began making in 1916, following the recipe of his wife Ida. His clients included Al Capone, Cary Grant, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt - they say Roosevelt treated the British royal family to these hot dogs in 1939 and ordered them for himself in Yalta when he met with Churchill and Stalin there.

This diner is a piece of old Coney Island, like the parachute tower near Luna Park. It was built for the 1939 World's Fair - important guests climbed 58 meters and jumped with a parachute. Now the tower is not operational, but has been completely restored and rises above the wooden embankment as a reminder of the old New York.

In NYC. However, it was not always a peninsula. Shortly before the start of World War II, Coney Island was connected to the island by filling the narrow isthmus separating them with earth. The island got its name from the Dutch, who discovered a countless number of rabbits here. So it became the rabbit island - Konijn Eiland (Dutch), or Coney Island (English).

Now the peninsula consists of three districts: Sea Gate, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. By the way, this is the place of localization of Russian-speaking emigrants.

Golden Isle Coney Island

In the 19th century, Coney Island became favorite place American holidays. The first attraction was built here in 1876 and was a primitive structure by modern times. In the center of a large wooden circle were figures of animals and people. The carousel spun slowly and the musicians played instruments. There was no end to those wanting to ride.

The beginning of the 20th century became a landmark time for the peninsula. More than a million people visited it annually. At Coney Island there were then three huge amusement park: Dreamland, Steeplechase Park and Luna Park.

Dreamland, which opened in 1904, lasted only seven years. Magnificent replicas were built in it architectural structures from all over the world, such as the Venetian canals, the Tower of Seville, Hindu temples. Indian elephants roamed the park. The freak show taking place here also added to the popularity of the entertainment center.

Steeplechase Park existed from 1897 to 1964. His main entertainment was riding mechanical horses. In addition, visitors could try their hand at trying to stay on a rotating figure of a man, or jump with a parachute from a 58-meter tower. By the way, it still stands in its place and is business card peninsula.

Coney Island today

Luna Park, which opened in 1903, was a collection of rotating towers and minarets. Every evening it was flooded with the light of hundreds of electric lights, giving the park a mystical mystique. Electricity was new at that time.

The largest roller coaster at that time, the Cyclone, was located here. You can still ride them in the park. Also among the old attractions is an unusual Ferris wheel of impressive size, which has become a symbol of the entire Coney Island.

In 2010, the park was completely renovated. Neither adults nor children will be left without entertainment here. Many breathtaking carousels appeared. The park has a shooting range, basketball court, and family attractions. You can have a snack in numerous cafes. At the famous Nathan's diner, you will be fed Frankfurters - hot dogs, the recipe for which was invented 100 years ago. Their cost is rather high - 3.5 dollars apiece. Hot dog eating competitions are also held here every year.

The convenient location of the park on the very ocean shore near a gorgeous 5-kilometer beach attracts people to it. great amount tourists. You can get to Luna Park by going to the final station of trains D, F, N, Q. Entrance to Entertainment Center free. A visit to one attraction will cost from one to four dollars. If you wish, you can purchase a card for 125 rentals for $100.

Walking along Coney Island's wooden boardwalk, visitors can peer into seawater aquarium, brought here from New York. The peninsula celebrates “Neptune Day” every year. As part of it, a “Mermaid Parade” is held: girls dressed in colored wigs and tails make a procession from the baseball stadium to the embankment.

Not everyone loves Coney Island because it is old-fashioned and remote from the center of New York. But those who want to feel the historical spirit of a world-famous place and see the remnants of its former greatness will definitely enjoy it here.

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