Coney Island is a great place to bring the kids, which is what we did. It was a hour-long subway ride from uptown Manhattan. It was fun being on the subway and seeing the different parts of the city.

Unfortunately, it started raining as soon as we got there. We had to duck inside Nathan's, which is open to the street. As long as we were in there, we got hot dogs and french fries and sodas. There aren't any tables, so we had to eat standing up and holding the food.

By the time we finished, the rain had stopped, so we headed to the boardwalk. Of course the kids wanted to go on the rides. After only one ride, though, it started raining again. We ducked into an arcade and played Skeeball and other games until the rain cleared up. Then the kids got a few more rides. We adults joined them for the Haunted House, where you ride in the dark and skeletons jump out at you. Kept me laughing! The kids also did a balloon-popping game and won a stuffed animal or two.

There were plenty of people at the beach and on the boardwalk, but not very many at the arcade or on the rides. Some of that was the rain, but Coney Island does seem a bit rundown. In a way, that's part of its charm, but I'm sure it was different in its heyday.

The teenager wanted to see the freak show, so we did that. I didn't really want to, but it was excellent. Today's "freaks" are pierced and tattooed young people with a definite knack for theater. Too bad no photos were allowed. Four people did about eight acts, involving, among other things, swords and a beautiful, giant snake. It cost, I think, $4 each to get in, and we felt like we got our money's worth.

It was evening by now. The plan was to stay and see a free concert at a park a quick walk away from the beach. The B-52s were playing. We settled in on our blanket. But then the rain started. We waited it out for 10 minutes, it cleared up, and the opening act started playing. Soon enough, though, the skies opened up. The rain was pouring down about as hard as it could, and the lightning and thunder were right on top of us. Staying for the music wasn't a possibility. We ran several long blocks to the subway station, with a few hundred other people in the same predicament. Everyone was soaked through and through, and we couldn't do anything about it. People seemed pretty cheerful, considering--after all, it was an act of God. But I ended up chilled and bedraggled for the long ride home, not a happy camper. Oh well.

Coney Island is a strange place. We went on our last full day in New York, basically because we couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. We took the subway from Lower Manhattan straight to Coney Island, which was a very easy trip.

When you exit the subway you are faced with a building site, which straight away is a little disconcerting. You then walk down one of the side roads to get to the beach area. We went in September and the amusement park area was closed, which we had expected, although I hadn’t expected it to be so small and uninspiring. I had read lots about the area and had read articles that raved about the big wheel and the roller coaster, but the whole place was very old and looked unloved and in need of renovation.

The beach itself is very nice, very wide and going on for miles. It is predominantly a sandy beach, and there were a few people in the sea and on the beach whist we were there, even though showers were forecasted. I was amazed at how many jellyfish were laying stranded on the beach, literally hundred of all different sizes. There were lots of gulls too, though strangely they were not trying to eat the jellyfish.

We walked a good distance along the beach and it was lovely, the weather just about holding off the rain. When it did start to rain lightly, we made a beeline for the aquarium and spent the next hour or so there.

I’m glad we went to Coney Island and I have seen it for myself, but I was very unimpressed with the amusement park, and if this is your main reason for visiting Coney, don’t. If, however, you are visiting in the summer and want to laze on the beach, then it is great.

Still close enough to the city, Coney Island is about a half-hour drive from Manhattan, or a 45-minute train ride on the F or Q. Once out of the car or off the train, you will be surprised by the liveliness this piece of shore has. There's always someone running around, and you are most likely to be captivated by beach volleyball or one of the rides in the amusement park right off the bat.

The park features the historic Cyclone roller-coaster, which I believe is the oldest roller-coaster that's still operational (if you're used to Six Flags, you might want to watch out for your kidneys, since it's not as comfortable).

As for fun for everyone, be sure to drop by the Aquarium where you can see some of the sea's inhabitants up close and personal (always lots of fun for the kids). As for food, you can bring your own and make a picnic in the sand (I've seen some people bring barbeque grills) or opt for the hot dogs, pizzas, and other quick and delicious amusement park meals.