So many milestones are not able to be celebrated this year, from significant birthdays to weddings to graduations, but also important milestones of tourist attractions.
This May the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY turns 100 years old. Sadly due to covis-19, there is no celebration and opening day has been postponed.
The Wonder Wheel is one of the many rides and attractions available at Coney Island. It’s definitely one of my favorite and the most Iconic. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1989.
Built in 1920, the Wonder Wheel stands 150 feet tall.
The views from the wheel are just beautiful. You can see the beach stretching out behind the other Coney Island attractions.
What makes the Wonder Wheel unique compared to other ferris wheels is that of the 24 cars on the wheel, 16 of them swing. With the turn of the wheel, these 16 cars swing towards the circumference along a serpentine track. Not to fear for those like me who think their stomachs may not be able to handle the swinging cars, there are 8 stationary cars as well which are just as fun of an experience.
I had been to New York City many times over the years but had never ventured out to Coney Island until September 2014 when I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn.
I’ve been back multiple times since then including when I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May 2016. I loved this race as it ended right on the boardwalk in Coney Island. After the race my friend and I took a ride on the Wonder Wheel and this has now become a tradition for me. If there is a ferris wheel nearby a race finish line, I’ll ride it after the race.
It’s a fun tradition to have and it’s always fun to look down on the race finish line crowds from the top of a ferris wheel.
Ferris wheel’s and other amusement rides are a staple of summer and they are always a great time for the whole family. Coney Island is definitely a fun place to check out when visiting New York City, especially during the summer months, head out there to check out the beach, have a hot dog at Nathan’s and take a spin on the Wonder Wheel.
Have you been to Coney Island and taken a ride on the Wonder Wheel? Is it on your travel bucket list? If you haven’t been, definitely add it to your New York City travel bucket list, you won’t regret it! Happy 100th Wonder Wheel, here’s to many more years to come!
Beyond The Miles Travel Blog 