Coney Island

It’s almost hard to describe this area of the city with its stretch of beach, amusement rides, huge aquarium and long boardwalk. Consider it as a living museum, a tribute to kitsch, a slice of old New York and just a really fun place to visit. I also love the Russian enclave that has grown up here, you can get seriously good Russian food at one of the restaurants nearby. Or if you are around for the hot dog eating contest you can watch grown men try to eat as many wieners as they can in as short a time as possible. Seriously. Rides and attractions are generally open on weekends from Easter until Memorial Day, all week long from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and then weekends from Labor Day until the end of September. The beach and boardwalk are open all year round (although lifeguards are only on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and Nathan's Hot Dogs and the New York Aquarium are open almost every day of the year. The Coney Island Museum is also open on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 5pm all year round.