Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
round, here you will find relics from Coney Island's heyday as the
premier amusement park in the world. Check out an original “steeple
chase horse,” vintage bumper cars, or fun-house distortion mirrors.
And for a mere 99¢, even if all you want to do is use the clean bath-
room, the museum is a bargain.
Brooklyn. Subway: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island-Stillwell Ave.
New York Aquarium
Because of the long subway ride
(about an hour from midtown Manhattan) and its proximity to
Coney Island, it's best to combine the two attractions, preferably in
the summer. This small but good aquarium is home to hundreds of
sea creatures. Taking center stage are Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins
and California sea lions that perform daily during summer at the
Aquatheater.
Also in the spotlight are Pacific octopuses, sharks, and
a brand-new seahorse exhibit. Black-footed penguins, California sea
otters, and a variety of seals live at the
Sea Cliffs exhibit,
a re-cre-
ation of a Pacific coastal habitat. But my favorites are the beautiful
Beluga whales, which exude buckets of aquatic charm. Children love
the hands-on exhibits at
Discovery Cove.
There's an indoor ocean-
view cafeteria and an outdoor snack bar, plus picnic tables.
502 Surf Ave. (at W. 8th St.), Coney Island, Brooklyn.
&
718/265-FISH.
www.ny
aquarium.com. Admission $12 adults, $8 seniors and children 2-12. Daily
10am-4:30pm. Subway: F, Q to West 8th St.
Kids
8 Shopping Highlights
CHINATOWN
Don't expect to find the purchase of a lifetime on Chinatown's
crowded streets, but there's some quality browsing to be done. The
fish and herbal markets along Canal, Mott, Mulberry, and Elizabeth
streets are fun for their bustle and exotica. Dispersed among them
(especially along
Canal St.
), you'll find a mind-boggling collection
of knockoff sunglasses and watches, cheap backpacks, discount
leather goods, and exotic souvenirs. It's a fun daytime browse, but
don't expect quality—and be sure to bargain.
Mott Street,
between Pell Street and Chatham Square, boasts the
most interesting of Chinatown's off-Canal shopping, with an
antiques shop or two dispersed among the tiny storefronts selling
blue-and-white Chinese dinnerware. Just around the corner, peek
into
Ting's Gift Shop
(18 Doyer St.;
&
212/962-1081
), one of the
oldest operating businesses in Chinatown. Under a vintage pressed-
tin ceiling, it sells good-quality Chinese toys, kits, and lanterns.
