United States New York 10 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Coney Island By Alison Lowenstein Alison Lowenstein Twitter Alison is a native New Yorker who has lived in Brooklyn for 20 years. She has written several guide books about New York City. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 05/12/19 True to its heritage as the "playground for the people," Coney Island still offers plenty of free activities and opportunities for cheap fun. Although everything isn't free on our list, most of these activities below cost only the price of the subway ride there and home again. 01 of 10 Soak in the Sun TripSavvy / Donghee Eim View Map Address Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, NY, USA Get directions Web Visit website Enjoy three miles of public beach along the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is free to the public and one of New York City's best amenities. Nearby are free volleyball, handball, and basketball courts, as well as playgrounds. Beware the riptides, though; swim only when lifeguards are on duty. 02 of 10 Check out Marine Life Courtesy of New York Aquarium View Map Address 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-265-3474 Web Visit website If you want to see sharks, penguins and other marine life, but you don't have the cash for a visit to an aquarium, The New York Aquarium offers a pay-what-you-wish donation on Wednesday afternoons, from 3:00 p.m. to last entry. Enjoy a visit to this noted spot, which has a fantastic aqua theater show. With tons of interactive exhibits, this is an educational way to end your visit to the beach. They also have a cafe on the premises. 03 of 10 Go the Mermaid Parade PM10/Getty Images Words cannot describe the irreverent, artistic, wildly popular Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. It is downright silly, and that's the key to its success. The Mermaid Parade celebrates the symbolic opening of Coney Island's beach season and is held on a Saturday in mid-June, rain or shine. Expect a crush of people: a mix of locals, European tourists, hipsters, families, the tattooed and untattooed, grannies, and kids. One of New York City's best parades, it also includes a breathtaking show of antique cars. 04 of 10 Watch the Fireworks Steve Kelley aka mudpig/Getty Images View Map Address 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-372-5596 Web Visit website You can watch the fireworks at many stops in Brooklyn. There are many evenings where the Brooklyn Cyclones host postgame fireworks. You can also watch them at Luna Park. At Luna Park, they host a fireworks display every Friday at 9:30 p.m. from the last weekend in June until the Friday before Labor Day. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 See a Concert Ford Amphitheater View Map Address 3052 W 21st St, Brooklyn, NY 11224-2103, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-954-9933 Web Visit website Head to the Ford Amphitheater. They do have a slew of shows that aren't free, but they also host the pummeling seaside concert series at this amphitheater. Enjoy the ocean breeze as you hear music from some of the greatest musicians in the world. Past performers include Barenaked Ladies, The Beach Boys, Rick Springfield, and many others. Check the website to get tickets. 06 of 10 Watch the Hot Dog Eating Contest Steven Ferdman / Contributor/Getty Images View Map Address 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-333-2202 Web Visit website Watch 20 ridiculously hungry contestants stuff themselves for a $20,000 total cash purse. Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest, sponsored by the original Nathan's stand in Coney Island, began in about 1916. Recent winners have consumed as many as 54 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. It's free, and you won't be the one to go home with a stomach ache. 07 of 10 Learn About History View Map Address 1208 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224-2816, USA Get directions Web Visit website True Coney Island fans have a taste for the bizarre and zany. The Coney Island Museum is the brainchild of Dick Zigun, a Yale-trained theater professional who has made Coney Island his passion for over 20 years. The memorabilia here, which commemorates Coney Island’s vaudeville and amusement park history, is worth the $5 admission and $3 for kids. 08 of 10 Stroll the Boardwalk Hlose Montabrun / EyeEm/Getty Images View Map Enjoy ocean breezes and views of Coney Island’s stadium and amusement park. Both the people-watching and scenery here are great free entertainment. For pure Brooklyn history, there's nothing like a view of the historic Parachute Jump and Cyclone roller coaster. The boardwalk runs past the New York Aquarium and all the way to the Russian neighborhood of Brighton Beach, which feels like a different country. If you want to explore Brighton Beach, check out this list. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Build a Sandcastle E. Freudenheim For 28 years, Brooklyn Community Services has held a Sand Castle contest on the beach in Coney Island. It usually happens in August, and it's free to participate. The event takes place between the beach and the boardwalk on W 10th through W 12th Streets. There's on-site registration for individuals, groups, and families that opens at noon. Even if you don't want to participate, it's fun to look at the various sandy creations. 10 of 10 Go to a Ball Game Courtesy of Brooklyn Cyclones View Map Address 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA Get directions Phone +1 718-372-5596 Web Visit website There is nothing like feeling the ocean breeze as you watch a Brooklyn Cyclones game at their seaside stadium. The stadium doesn't have a bad seat in the house. This is also an economical way to watch a sporting event. They have deeply discounted tickets throughout the season, including a family ticket, which comes with food and a free T-shirt for $20. But you can also score a bleacher seat for as little as $10. Check the website for various offers throughout the season and enjoy watching this hometown team. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email