Coney Island at Night

Coney Island is one of the hardest hit areas by hurricane Sandy. The landmark amusement area and boardwalk in Brooklyn has reopened last Spring, and here are some snapshots taken after sundown.

Victorian Gardens - the Amusement Park in Central Park

Victorian Gardens, Central Park's small but well-designed amusement park is now open for the summer season, occupying the Wollman ice skating rink. The park hosts 12 rides, including the Aeromax, which allows both children and adults to fly in pint-sized airplanes; the Kite Flyer, which imitates hang gliding; the Convoy, which is an auto-style train ride; the Red Baron, which allows riders to pilot imitation antique airplanes; Mini Mouse, a roller coaster for young children (though parents are welcome); the Jump Around, a bouncy ride especially appealing to children; and Samba Balloon, which allows children to pilot their own hot air balloons. Another popular ride is the Fun Slide, a three-story-tall slide; Family Swinger, a classic swing ride; Rockin’ Tug, a traditional carnival swinging boat ride; and the Hydro Racer, a fast-paced water ride. In Whac A Mole, players can compete to hit the most moles with their mallets. There is also Rising Water, a water gun game. More information available at the Victorian Gardens website.

Luna Park At Coney Island, Brooklyn

Luna Park is an amusement park at Coney Island in Brooklyn, a second incarnation of the original park that existed from 1903-1944. It opened over a year ago on the former site of the nearby Astroland amusement park. Luna Park features mostly off-the-shelf spinning rides, including Air Race (riders pilot their own planes around "control tower", Electro Spin (combination of spinning ride and coaster), Eclipse (pendulum ride), Lunar Express (family roller coaster). It als o features the Scream Zone, the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel (ferris wheel) and Spook-A-Rama.