Coney Island

On the Friday before Memorial Day, my mom offered to watch Jameson, and since we’d have access to her car, Jordan came up with the brilliant idea of making a trip to Coney Island. I’d never been before — I’d only passed signs for Coney Island from the Belt Parkway as we’d make trips to visit my family in Queens. I’d always wondered what it was like. So I was pumped.

The fun started during the car ride there, as Jordan and I took turns picking and playing our favorite hip hop songs from the late ’90s and early 2000s. I promise you, my head nod was for real. And people in other cars were likely concerned. I could blame it on being child free. Or it being the start of a holiday weekend. Or the sunshine. But those would all be lies. Truth is, I’m just a little crazy.

We snagged a great parking spot on Surf Avenue, and hopped out the car. It was a hot day in the city, but the breeze from the water made it feel 10 degrees cooler than it was. We were already winning.

Our first stop was for some lunch. Of course, there’s the famous Nathan’s, but we weren’t really in the mood for hotdogs. So we opted for Wahlburger’s instead. I had this fish sandwich number with tater tots, and it was tasty.After eating, we checked out the street art installation behind Nathan’s, which reminded us of our visit to Wynwood Walls in Miami. 
This one had to be my favorite…So much color and talent on these walls.After taking in the walls, we wove our way through Luna Park.We spent some time walking along the boardwalk and breathing in the sea air.And then it was time to get on some rides! Since it was a Friday, and kids are still in school, the park was practically empty. No lines and most rides were just halfway full. Our first pick was the classic Cyclone rollercoaster. I love rides, and wooden ones are so much fun, mainly because I think you spend most of the ride wondering if the thing might fall apart at any moment. We would laugh, then scream, and then laugh at the fact we were screaming. It was pretty hilarious.We also got on the swings that raise you up about 100 feet above the park. Hard faces at the beginning, followed by more laughter as we zipped around and prayed I didn’t drop my phone. I love how Jordan is giving us an eight-year-old happy face in this pic.After the rides, there was one last thing to be done — a stop at Rita’s for water ice. I got my beloved misto shake with lemon ice and vanilla custard, and I was transported back to high school, when I’d drive myself to Rita’s after school on an almost daily basis. I’ve committed to make a couple visits to the one on the Upper West Side this summer, because I was reminded just how good this is.Coney Island — you know how to show a girl a good time. Looking forward to coming back for more, especially to see you all lit up and pretty at night.