This summer we are trying to find some fun yet close options for new places to take the kids. Over Memorial Day, this meant the Bronx Zoo. In late June, it was time for a Coney Island daytrip!
I haven’t been to Coney Island in a very long time. I’m not sure if it was definitely the last time I was there but the above pic with T was from one of the last visits there (this oldie is from 2013.) This was definitely the first time I’ve been in a car!
New York Aquarium
We started the day at the New York Aquarium. Pro tip: arrive early and you can easily park in their lot for the day. They still time out your admission so good to book tickets early so you can enter at your preferred time. They have been doing some repair work since Hurricane Sandy but have fully reopened since our visit.
I’d been to the aquarium but not in probably 10 years. We loved the sharks and spineless exhibits in particular. They also have their Aquatheater, where three times a day they have a show with their sea lions.
The Boardwalk
Afterwards, we walked back along the Coney Island Boardwalk. I’ve never truly gone to Coney Island to go to the beach, but there were lots of people there that day to do just that. We went to Nathan’s Hot Dogs for hot dogs since I have to get one every time I am there and our kids could eat hot dogs every day and be satisfied. It’s been a while since I’ve been there but they have a self-order kiosk which helped us avoid the long line.
Brooklyn Cyclones
We ended the day at Maimonides Park for a Brooklyn Cyclones game! There’s a reason they were voted the best of the ballparks in High-A (their league) for 2021. There are so many different theme nights in the season. When we went, it was Ukrainian night, Peppa Pig was there to do the first pitch (and to visit with the kids) and they were giving away piggybanks at the gate!
But that isn’t all. There were hot dog races, dads doing a dance competition in tu-tus and the usual t-shirt toss, among other things. We arrived early, which meant the kids could get a piggybank and have a chance to walk around the field before the game started!
We didn’t make it through the entire game — but that’s ok. It was a long day in the sun and was time to head home. We did not go to Luna Park on this visit. Maybe next time! (There’s definitely enough to do there for more than one Coney Island daytrip.)
New York Aquarium – 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn – 718-265-3474
Nathan’s Hot Dogs – 1205 Boardwalk W, Brooklyn – 718-714-7207
Maimonides Park – 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn – 718-449-8497
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