Coney Island

It's not hard to love Coney Island, even if a lot of what I love about it isn't even there anymore. I'm not talking about the damage from Sandy, although that's still very much an on-going issue. The Coney Island in my head may never quite match up with the real Coney Island, last stop on the D, F, N and Q trains, but I still love it.

I've only been twice, the first time for Nathan's 4th of July hotdog-eating contest (spectator, not participant), and again two weeks ago. I had considered going in the winter just to try a hotdog from Nathan's, but the original 1916 location was still closed due to damage suffered from Sandy (they reopened in May). So when my mom expressed an interest in going (she'd never been), I was in.

The day was beautiful — sunny, but breezy and cool. We went on a Wednesday, so it wasn't packed, but all the rides were open and running. On my first visit I rode the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone, the two oldest, landmarked rides still in operation. This time we opted only for the Wonder Wheel.

Should you be interested in the Cyclone, know that while I love wooden rollercoasters, this one is particularly jarring. So much so in fact, that my friend said she "tasted blood" when it was over, and I most definitely had mild whiplash for days afterward.

People in the 1920s really knew how to have a good time.

The Wonder Wheel, however, is much less like a car accident, and much more like a regular ferris wheel. The white cars are stationary, while the blue and red cars swing. I was surprised on my first ride how much they actually swing, but this time I was more prepared and slightly less terrified.

We were the only ones on for our ride, which gives you great views of the parks, beach and ocean on one side and Surf Avenue and the rest of Brooklyn on the other.

There are tons of other games and rides — mostly for kids — and I made sure to get a fortune from Grandma (only 50 cents), but there's a Zoltar too if he's more your style ($1/fortune).

My favorite thing to do at Coney Island, however, is to just walk around. Even if the freaks are gone (officially), there are still tons of amazing signs, crumbling buildings and abandoned rides to hint at the old Coney Island that I wish I could have experienced.

We stopped and had lunch before we left at Nathan's, where I finally had my hotdog. I got mine with sauerkraut and mustard, and it was just as delicious as I expected it to be. I logically know that hotdogs are totally gross, and probably killing me, but that doesn't mean that sometimes they aren't just really, really good. Nathan's has burgers and fries and all sorts of other things besides hotdogs, but I can only attest to their hotdogs. I always wonder what kind of person goes to a place like Nathan's and orders a fish sandwich — I'm sure it's good, but it's not exactly what put the "famous" in their name, you know?

Coney Island is super easy to get to — just take the D, F, N or Q trains to the Coney Island/Stillwell Ave. stop. The beautiful, above-ground station is actually one of my favorites, and it's super close to the boardwalk and beach. Unfortunately I won't be back in time for the Mermaid Parade this year (June 22), but it's definitely on my list for next year, as is the recently reopened New York Aquarium. I'm so glad that Coney Island is bouncing back from the damage it suffered from Sandy, but if you know anything about its history, that's what Coney Island does best — survives, and reinvents itself.

It's scrappy, partially abandoned and a little bit dirty, but that's all part of why I love it and why I'll keep coming back.