I love exploring new places, particularly those a day trip away. Last weekend my friend and I went to Coney Island. It was my first visit to the infamous New York beach. I was amazed by the ease in our trip — a direct subway ride and short walk.

The forecast called for rain, so we were lucky to only run into a few drops as we set up our towels on the sand. With a history of amusement parks and sideshow performers, Coney Island still attracts a wide range of visitors. The beach and boardwalk are great people-watching spots. We saw a child selling fresh fruit from a cooler, a man eating a picnic big enough for five on his own and couples setting up impromptu photo shoots. The colorful characters can be more intriguing than the sideshow performers.

A trip to Coney Island isn’t complete without a stop at Nathan’s. Unlike the competitive eaters that flock to the beach every Fourth of July for the hot dog eating competition, I only ate one hotdog. We walked up and down the boardwalk, past the carnival-style games and rides. My favorite attraction was the iconic Wonder Wheel. We ended our trip with a cone of ice cream for our walk to the subway. Coney Island is a great summer escape for New Yorkers and tourists.

— Katie Skrzek, advertising and editorial coordinator, eFlyer USA editor