New York City Coney Island And Brighton Beach

CONEY ISLAND, Most attractions along Surf Ave. and Riegelmann Boardwalk (www.coneyisland.com), If you can, visit during Coney Island holidays. The Mermaid Parade in June includes antique cars, raunchy floats, animals, and many costumes. The Village Voice's Siren Music Festival, held in July, draws huge crowds to free indie and experimental rock concerts. Wonder Wheel $6 per ride. Cyclone $8 per ride. Luna Park: individual rides $3-5, 4hr. unlimited-ride pass $26. Coney Island Museum $1. Sideshows by the Seashore $7.50. Burlesque shows Th $10, F $15. Deno's Wonder Wheel Park open Memorial Day-Labor Day daily 11am-midnight; Sept-Oct and Apr-May Sa-Su noon-9pm. Cyclone open May 14-Labor Day daily noon-11pm; April 7-mid-May and Labor Day-Sept weekends noon-11pm. Luna Park open June-Sept M-F noon-midnight
New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave. (www.nyaquarium.com), A key Coney Island attraction since 1957, New York's _ Aquarium is one of the best in the country. Over 8000 extraordinarily diverse animals live here, from the usual suspects (seals, whales, sharks) to bizarre species of fish and turtles. The spacious facilities also include an Aquatheater showcasing the stunts of California sea lions. A new Planet Earth 4D theater just outside the entrance offers all-encompassing visual and audio presentations of aquatic life. $13, 4-D theater entrance $6, full package $17. Memorial Day-Labor Day open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-7pm; Labor Day-Halloween open M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-5:30pm; Nov-Apr open daily 10am-4:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave. (at W. 17th St.) (www.brooklyncyclones.com), The Dodgers are long gone, but the minor-league G Brooklyn Cyclones, affiliated with the NY Mets, have been attracting locals since their debut in 2001. The 7500-seat stadium itself, until recently known as Keyspan Park, provides views of Coney Island's attractions and does its best to fit in with the neon lights and bold colors. Mets tickets also available at the ticket office. Seats $8-17. Season runs from mid-June to early Sept; game times vary. Ticket office open M-F 9am-5pm, Sa-Su 11am-4pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.