A Different New York For The Offbeat Traveler - Stepping into a Time Travel Machine: Coney Island

Recently, a friend of mine visited me in New York City. It was 7 years since we last met and hang out properly. I wanted to show her 'my' New York. Not the New York we watch in movies, not the 'city, not the usual Times Square, Central Park, etc. I mean, I made sure she saw all that, and then....

CONEY ISLANDDD!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!

Coney Island is extremely different from the New York you were told about by the media.

It is retro! You are transported back to the early 1900s.

Also, going into Coney Island from central New York, you are introduced to a different culture - mainly Central and Eastern Europeans. The residential buildings are exactly like those back in the Soviet Union. You'll also find many delicious Georgian or Russian or any other Central or Eastern European eateries here.

The brown flats in the distance

I love this place! It is eccentric and so chilled. I don't think you will find a place like this anywhere else in the world (please let me know if there is another place like this). There's the beach and the theme park - Luna Park, which looks exactly like when it first opened - in 1903 :D (do not worry, the rides may look 'old' but it has been refurbished and is safe based on 2017 standards! ;-))

One thing I love about New York, when you go to the different neighbourhoods, the landscape, people and culture vary. For example, if you want:

• artsy, hip area - Greenwich Village (my 'favourite-st' place in New York! Some parts remind me of Notting Hill)
• retro, early 1900s, Central/ Eastern European - Coney Island
• Southern American - Jackson Heights, Queens
• posh, elegant, both residential and commercial (American style) - Upper West Side
• posh, elegant residential area (English style) - Kew Garden/ Prospect Park

You get the gist!

Anyways.. any of you planning a trip to New York, do schedule some time to go back in time ;)