10 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Coney Island

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

Coney Island beach

TripSavvy / Donghee Eim

Address
Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, NY, USA

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

New York Aquarium

Courtesy of New York Aquarium 

Address
602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phone +1 718-265-3474

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

Women at the Mermaid parade, the largest art parade in the nation and a celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside.

 

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

Coney Island fireworks The fireworks show every Friday night in the summer time at Coney Island, New York City.
Steve Kelley aka mudpig/Getty Images
Address
1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phone +1 718-372-5596

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

 Ford Amphitheater 

Address
3052 W 21st St, Brooklyn, NY 11224-2103, USA
Phone +1 718-954-9933

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

Matt Stonie, Joey Chestnut, and Carmen Cincotti compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2018 in the Coney Island neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

 

Steven Ferdman / Contributor/Getty Images 

Address
1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phone +1 718-333-2202

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

Address
1208 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224-2816, USA

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

Coney Island Boardwalk

Hlose Montabrun / EyeEm/Getty Images 

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

Sand Sculpture of Cyclone Riders at Coney Island

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

Brooklyn Cyclones

Courtesy of Brooklyn Cyclones 

Address
1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA
Phone +1 718-372-5596

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.

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10 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Coney Island