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Your perfect day in Coney Island

Your perfect day in Coney Island
File photo by Ted Levin

Coney Island truly is the People’s Playground. Brooklyn’s entertainment capital has amusements to delight every visitor, young or old. So jump on the F train and follow our guide to having fun in the sun-soaked neighborhood at any age.

Fun for kids

Dog days of summer

To fuel up for a jam-packed day, be sure to grab a dog at Nathan’s Famous, the iconic eatery that hosts the world-renowned hotdog-eating contest every Fourth of July.

Nathan’s Famous [1310 Surf Ave. at Stillwell Avenue, (718) 946–2202, www.nathansfamous.com].

Water world

Kids can check out sharks, rays, turtles, walruses, and other marine life at the New York Aquarium. The maritime institution also offers summer camps where kids can get up close and personal with the fish.

New York Aquarium [Coney Island Boardwalk at W. Eighth Street, (718) 265–3474, www.nyaquarium.com].

Very amusing

End the day at the city’s famous amusement parks. Twirl and whirl on the titular ride at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park or take the day to all-new heights on Luna Park’s Thunderbolt, a rollercoaster that hits speeds up to 55 miles per hour.

Luna Park [1000 Surf Ave. at W. 10th Street, (718) 373–5862, www.lunaparknyc.com].

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park [3059 Denos Vourderis Pl. between W. 10th and W. 12th streets, (718) 372–2592, www.wonderwheel.com].

Fun for teens

Nice buns

Marky-Mark and Donnie Wahlburg are bringing their burger bar Wahlburgers to Coney — and New York City — this summer. The eatery, featured on a reality series of the same name, will sling teen-friendly fare including tater tots, onion rings, and triple-decker burgers.

Wahlburgers, (coming soon to 3021 Stillwell Ave. at Bowery Street, www.wahlburgersny.com).

Knock and roll

Ride bumper cars and play arcade games while disc jockeys spin rockin’ songs at Eldorado Auto Skooter.

Eldorado Auto Skooter [1216 Surf Ave. between W. 12th Street and Stillwell Avenue, (718) 946–6642].

Home-run haven

Finally, knock your day out of the park with a visit to MCU Park, home of Kings County’s own minor-league baseball team the Brooklyn Cyclones.

MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 17th Street, (718) 449–8497, www.brooklyncyclones.com].

Fun for couples

That’s amore

Take your sweetheart to fancy Italian eatery Gargiulo’s Restaurant, which has been serving home-style Italian fare in swanky surrounds since 1907.

Gargiulo’s Restaurant 2911 W. 15th St. between Surf and Mermaid avenues, (718) 266–4891, www.gargiulos.com].

Get freaky!

Turn the heat by catching one of the cheeky burlesque shows performed at Sideshows by the Seashore every Friday and Saturday night. Each show has a different theme and they can get pretty weird — past subjects have included the Beatles, “Bob’s Burgers,” and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sideshows by the Seashore [3006 W 12th St. at Surf Avenue (718) 372–5159, www.coneyisland.com].

Eat ’em up

End the night on a sweet note with a trip to Williams Candy Shop, a 76-year-old confectionery emporium that serves candy apples and lollipops as well as banana-pistachio swirl ice cream — a Coney Island specialty.

Williams Candy Shop [1318 Surf Ave. between W. 15th Street and Stillwell Avenue, (718) 372–0302, www.candytreats.com].

Reach reporter Vanessa Ogle at vogle@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–4507. Follow her attwitter.com/oglevanessa.
Cyclones fly high: Catch a game at MCU Park and see players like Mike Conforto, a former Cyclones player who was a first-round draft pick for the New York Mets.
File photo by Steve Solomonson