When Constantinos Dionysios Vourderis-better known as “Deno”-bought the Wonder Wheel in the early 1980’s, he fulfilled a longtime promise to his wife: he vowed, on more than one occasion, to purchase the Ferris wheel for her as a wedding present so that everyone could see how much he loved her.  What a special gift! The Wonder Wheel has stood next to the boardwalk longer than the Cyclone, having been built back in the 1920’s.  An estimated 200,000 people take the ride each year when it opens in early May, closing in late October.

Nathan’s Famous was founded by a Polish immigrant, Nathan Handwerker.  He started his business in 1916 with a small hot dog stand in Coney Island, selling hot dogs based on a recipe developed by his wife, Ida.

Nathan’s popularity was almost instantaneous.  It gained it’s first international exposure when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt served Nathan’s to the King and Queen of England in 1939.  A trip to Nathan’s has been the focus of a multitude of iconic people and places: a feature of a Seinfeld TV episode, ex-mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani declared Nathan’s the “World’s best hot dog”, Jacqueline Kennedy loved Nathan’s dogs and served them at the White House.  Actor Walter Mathau requested Nathan’s hot dogs to be served at his funeral which if fact they were!  Nathan’s Famous is far more than just a hot dog – it has a rich history and it is pure Americana.  Happy Birthday Nathan’s!

Nathan’s Famous   1310 Surf Ave.

NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST

Every fourth of July at the Nathan’s famous flagship restaurant in Coney Island people gather by the thousands to witness the most unique sporting competition in the world, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.  The 20 competitors stand on a raised platform behind a long table with drinks and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns.  The contestant that consumes (and keeps down) the most hot dogs and buns in ten minutes is declared the winner.   The current record holder is Joey Chestnut having eaten an impressive 69 hot dogs.   Catch a glimpse of these hot dog eating legends and the celebration that is uniquely American as it is a Nathan’s tradition.

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Brooklyn Art Library is home to The Sketchbook Project – a compendium of 35,179 artists’ sketchbooks from over 135 countries.  The library serves as a reading room where you can get cozy and spend an afternoon enjoying artwork in a hands-on experience.  Each sketchbook is individually barcoded and cataloged with searchable details, like where the book came from, the materials used, the artists name, tag words and oh-so-much more.  Anyone can contribute to The Sketchbook Project.  Available for purchase at the library are all the tools and art supplies a writer or artist requires to complete and decorate their personalized book. When finished, it can become part of the ever-growing collection.  Books have been used to memorialize friends or family members, as a time capsule, a travel journal and even a marriage proposal (which was actually hidden within a featured sketchbook.)  Located in Williamsburg Brooklyn, the Library encourages interaction between artists and those they reach through their work.

Brooklyn Art Library,  28 Frost Street   Brooklyn, NY    http://sketchbookproject.com

The Brooklyn Cyclones are the New York Mets short season, single A-minor league club team that play in Coney Island’s picturesque old time baseball field, MCU Park.  Where else can you watch a baseball game where the smell of the ocean permeates the stadium?  The ballfield is situated right on the boardwalk and just a few blocks from local attractions like Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Luna Park.  In the distance fans can see the roller coaster that inspired the team’s name slowly rise and suddenly plunge on it’s first terrifying drop.  During the night games the glow of neon lights are the perfect backdrop to the overall carnivalesque setting.  The season starts June 17th and ends September 4th.

MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave.   http://brooklyncyclones.com

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Coney Island?  The Cyclone roller coaster no doubt.  This wooden roller coaster with its famous 85-foot first drop and the 60 mph twists and turns have inspired extreme reactions of either  devotion or lifelong terror since 1927.  For the fans of The Cyclone there is nothing more exciting than the fear that your car might fly off the track at any moment.  If you are going to take a ride make sure to sit in the front where you will have the best view or maybe you would prefer the back which gives the feeling of greater speed.  The Cyclone was declared a New York City landmark on July 12th 1988 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1991.  So whether you ride, watch or just listen to the screams this is a must-visit summertime destination.

You’ve eaten your Nathan’s hot dog and fries and now getting a craving for something sweet.  Located right next door to Nathan’s is Williams Candy.  The moment you walk into this throwback from the 1930’s you’re hit with the smell of sugar and popcorn.  Big puffed swirls of cotton candy hang overhead while below candy apples beckon with sprinkles, nuts or just plain red.  Williams Candy is sure to please the inner child in all of us.

Through July 31, 2016

The Mad Hatters exhibit showcases the identities that New Yorkers carve out for themselves by donning a simple piece of headwear in a crowded city.  With special attention to the city’s defining grassroots folk cultures, the exhibit pays tribute to NYC’s master milliners while also documenting and celebrating the men and women who proudly wear hats, whether to express their cultural traditions or their individual personalities.  The exhibit features a series of special hats made exclusively for the show by the New York Milliners Guild, illustrating New York “hat-itude”.

City Lore Gallery   56 East 1st St.    http://citylore.org