Three new things to try at Luna Park this summer
Coney Island’s Luna Park has a long-running tradition of creating everlasting summertime memories for New Yorkers and tourists. Pile onto the D/F/N/Q subway line and cruise through Brooklyn to the boardwalk amusement park, where families can scream together during a hair-raising turn on the iconic 91-year-old Cyclone wooden coaster or at a breakneck 55-mile-per-hour pace on the more modern Thunderbolt, as well as enjoy many other attractions. With a Luna Pass (under 48” $42, taller $69), energetic tykes can have all-day unlimited access to the 31 rides of various thrill levels as adults watch from the sidelines or join them for a spin if they dare. If you and your kids have clocked hours every summer at the amusement park, you may think you’ve seen it all—but the epicenter of Coney Island added three new rides this year, seriously upping the ante for beachside fun.
For the smaller set (at least 36” tall), mini gamers will go nuts over the interactive ride Cozmo Jet. Kids and adults can climb into a colorful spaceship pod that aerially zooms in a circle. Each pod is equipped with a VR gaming console and a video screen depicting your journey through space and even aliens that tiny astro-pilots can virtually shoot for points.
If your pint size explorers would rather take to the sea, they can catch waves on the Coney Clipper, a pirate ship that swings its onboard crew back and forth, creating the illusion that you’re summiting massive swells in the ocean. Young buccaneers must be 48” tall to set sail. Once your gang has taken enough turns on the new thrills to feel perpetually dizzy, it might be time for a break. For a quick pick-me-up, take the fam to Coney’s Cones for a generous helping of gelato, or for a more intense reboot, rest a while at Place to Beach and gorge on fresh seafood like lobster rolls and shrimp ceviche. Once you’ve refueled, take a walk in the sun along the two-and-a-half mile boardwalk or lay a blanket on the sandy beach and dive into the refreshing water to escape the heat. Whether you’re a Coney Island connoisseur or a total newbie, Luna Park and its neighboring attractions never cease to provide endless summer entertainment.
Five years after an emergency demolition of the old Astro Tower, built in 1964, a new state-of-the-art version of the same name keeps its memory alive. The 137-foot tower is decked out in more than 5,000 LEDs that blink and flicker as 12 adventurers ascend to the very top and rotate for a spectacular view of the park, boardwalk and water. Prepare yourself for the dramatic drop to the bottom! (Your little ones must be 42” tall to ride.)