Travel to Coney Island with your New York car rental to see one of the most famous roller coasters of all time. It opened in 1927 where a roller coaster called the Great Coaster was previously located, which was the worlds fist roller coaster. The Cyclone is a wooden-track roller coaster that is tight and steep. This is due to the small amount of space on the island for the coaster. However, it remains one of Coney Islands best attractions. Come down to Coney Island in your New York car rental to try it.
Amazingly, when the Cyclone first opened a ride cost twenty-five cents, or thirty-five on Sundays. In the 1930s the ride was very popular. There is even a story about a mute since birth screamed and said I feel sick while he was on the ride, then fainted when he realized he had spoken. In the 1960s attendance began to dwindle, and the City of New York bought the Cyclone. The lack of riders and profits almost lead to the roller coaster being torn down in 1972. The ride was saved, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today it costs five dollars to ride, quite a difference from when it first opened!
Coney Island also has many other attractions for kids and adults alike. You can spend part of the day at the beach, swimming and eating Coney dogs. Or, you can go to the amusement park and try some of the rides. There are many thrill rides: the Cyclone, Pirate Ship, Scrambler, Bumper Cars, Tilt-A-Whirl, and many more. For kids there are Tea Cups, Super Swing, Fire Engines, mini roller coasters, and a Carousel. There are also three arcades, ten games of skill, and two Coney Island style restaurants. There is so much to do here, so plan to spend some time here!
Coney Island was a very popular resort destination in the early 20th century, but lost popularity after World War Two. Part of the reason for its decline was because of the popularity of the automobile, which allowed people to easily travel to Long Island easily. The 1950s was a period of unrest for Coney Island, with street gang problems. This affected the amusement parks, but the beach was still a popular destination. Now only Astroland remains as the sole amusement park on the island, gradually expanding over the years.
If you happen to be in the area in the winter with your New York car rental, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing club in the United States. Members swim every Sunday in the winter!
Getting to the Cyclone is easy. From central Manhattan it is under 20 miles, or about 30 minutes by New York car rental. It is part of the Astroland Amusement Park, with parking available. There are alternatives to driving your New York car rental here. The subway and 5 buses go by. If you do decide to drive in your New York car rental, take the West Side Highway to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, then take the BQE West to Belt Parkway East and get off at exit 7B, Ocean Parkway. Go right on Ocean Parkway for 4 blocks. When Ocean Parkway ends and becomes Surf Avenue, Astroland will be on your left at the corner of West 10th Street.
