I can't believe that in all the years that we've lived here, I had not visited Coney Island. That is, until this past Friday when J and I went to Long Island. On our way back home, we realized that our route took us close to the famous landmark. We were so close that we could see the giant ferris wheel in Luna Park. On a whim, we pulled our car off the highway and into the surrounding neighborhoods (Little Russian, aka Little Odessa, is fascinating and will be well worth another visit), and followed our confused gps to the amusement parks.
What I particularly liked about Luna Park is how vintage all the rides seem to be. It's easy to imagine girls in 1950's poodle skirts and guys in varsity jackets riding the ferris wheel...
or holding hands on the haunted ride...
or shooting laughing clowns (which were rather creepy, anyway). This arm wrestling game in a nearby arcade had me grinning...
After riding the ferris wheel, J and I bought an icecream cone and a slushie and walked towards the beach. Now, anyone who enjoys people-watching would be happy as a clam watching the crowds on the Coney Island boardwalk.
Further up the boardwalk is an old, beautiful, crumbling building that has Lola Staar's Dream Land Roller Rink painted along the side. After looking it up online, I discovered that it used to be the Childs Restaurant, built in 1924. Decades later, it became the community hall that Sandra Bullock's character, Lucy, fights to save in the film, Two Week's Notice.
After seeing everything here - and there is undoubtedly alot more to still see - I can't believe it took me so long to visit Coney Island!
