Charles I.D. Looff, a Danish woodcarver, built the first carousel at Coney Island in 1876. It was installed at Vandeveer’s bath-house complex at West 6th Street and Surf Avenue. Later the complex became known as Balmer’s Pavilion. The carousel consisted of hand-carved horses and animals standing two abreast. Two musicians, a drummer and a flute player provided the music. A metal ring-arm hung on a pole outside the ride and fed small, iron rings for eager riders to grab. The riders were protected from the weather by a tent-top and the fare for a ride was five cents. From 1885 to 1896 the Coney Island Elephant was the first sight to greet immigrants arriving in New York. They would see it before they saw the Statue of Liberty. The Coney Island Elephant was a hotel and brothel in the shape of an elephant. In 1885 this hotel also known as the Elephantine Colossus was built by James V. Lafferty. It stood 122 feet high with seven floors and had 31 rooms. The hotel became associated with prostitution which led to the phrase “going to see the elephant”. In 1896 the Coney Island Elephant burnt down in one of the Island’s many fires.

Nathan’s Famous original hot dog stand opened on Coney Island in 1916 and quickly became a landmark. Since its opening on July 4th an annual eating contest was begun. In 1915 the Sea Beach line was upgraded to a subway line and the opening of the New West End Terminal in 1919 ushered in Coney Island’s busiest era. After WWII air conditioning in movie theaters and in homes, along with the advent of automobiles which could provide access to the less crowded and more appealing Long Island state parks, especially Jones Beach, lessened the attractions of Coney’s beaches. Luna Park closed in 1946 after a series of fires and street gang problems of the 1950s spilled into Coney Island. The local economy was further impacted by the closing of Steeplechase Park, the last of the major amusement parks in 1964.

Between about 1880 and WWII Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the U.S. attracting several million visitors per year. At its height it contained three competing major amusement parks, Luna Park, Dreamland and Steeplechase Park, as well as many independent amusements.

Dreamland – Opened in Coney Island in 1904 and operated till 1911. Dreamland was created by a Tammany Hall-connected businessman named William H. Reynolds. This amusement park was supposed to be high-class entertainment, with elegant architecture, pristine white towers and some educational exhibits along with the rides and thrills. It was reputed to have one million electric light bulbs illuminating and outlining its buildings which as a novelty at that time.

Among the attractions at Dreamland were a railway the ran through a Swiss Alpine landscape, imitation Venetian canals with gondolas, a “Lilliputian Village” with three hundred dwarf inhabitants and a demonstration of firefighting in which two thousand people pretended to put out a blazing six-story building. Side shows were owned by the Dicker family who also owned the hotel next to the park. There was a display of baby incubators, where premature babies were cared for and exhibited. The story of the first premature triplet infants is especially interesting. The triplets belonged to the Dicker family. Doctors advised the Dickers of the new invention but said they couldn’t use it because incubators were not yet approved for hospital use. So the triplets were placed in the side show. Two of them survived to live out full lives.

To gain publicity for Dreamland the park put famous Broadway actress Marie Dressler in charge of the peanut and popcorn stands with young boys dressed as imps in red flannel acting as salesmen. Dressler was said to be in love with Dreamland’s handsome, handlebar-mustachioed, one armed lion tamer who went by the name of Captain Bonavita. Read the rest of this entry »

Long Island, is definitely one of the best places to go in New York. It has a wide range of activities to offer, for the average tourist, or a family looking for just a weekend getaway. From beaches to museums, from cruises to adventure sports, Long Island has it all. Let us take a look at what are the most popular things to do on Long Island for kids and adults alike. So get out your pen and paper, and get planning!

Beaches
One thing that you absolutely cannot miss about Long Island are its beaches. Well, that is kind of difficult, given, it is an island. Spend a glorious day on the beaches. Enjoy sports like surfing, kayaking, and scuba diving. Sign up for the lessons, a day in advance. And if you’re apprehensive about surfing, go in for a less scary activity like canoes, paddle boats, kite boarding, etc. Take in the salty ocean wind at gorgeous beaches like the Fire Ireland, Long Beach, Main Beach, and Jones Beach. The white sands, and the chilly, clear blue water are mesmerizing to look at. But the main attraction is definitely, the water sports. So, don’t miss out on those!

Museums
Long Island, is the upmarket suburban area of New York city. It is a welcome break from the maddening hustle and bustle of the city life. With the breathtaking museums like the African American Museum, Amityville Historical Society, Lauder Museum, Bohemia Historical Society Museum, Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, etc. you have one very interesting day planned for you, to go museum gazing! Go back in time, and appreciate the history, that has been captured in these museums.

Amusement
Another very exciting thing to do on Long Island, is visit the numerous amusement parks! Yes, a perfect way to make your kids happy, isn’t it? Choose from parks like Adventurland, Bayville Adventure Park, Chuck E Cheese, Diamond Back Paintball Field, Drossos Tick Tock Miniature Golf, Fun Zone, Laser Kingdom, etc. Adventure sports, paintball fighting, mini golfing! Ah! That’s the life! Let your kids have a blast visiting these amusement parks, while you go visit the museums!

Antiques
One thing that you cannot leave out of New York city tourism, is some fabulous antiques. With the wide range of varieties and large number of antique stores on this island, you will not be able to resist the temptation of slipping into one of them and buying yourself an ancient wonder. Here are a few of the stores that you can think of paying a visit to.
•A Touch of Antique Read the rest of this entry »

Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens in Florida can be the ideal vacation spots for the entire family. Human beings have always been interested in watching and knowing more about wild animals. If your family members love the outdoors, then this is the best place for you. Riding a roller coaster, dance and song performances and riding bug cars are the activities which your children will surely enjoy here. You can also go for a fun filled boat ride here with your entire family. A visit to this garden would indeed be an unforgettable experience for you and your kids.

The South Beach
Florida has always been known for its scenic beaches. The South Beach is one of the best beaches in Florida which offers you peace of mind and some delicious dishes. You can visit the the Miami childrens museum, art galleries, luxury and well designed spas for offering relaxation treatments and Metro Zoo at this place. This well maintained beach has millions of admirers and people from all over the world like to visit this place for pleasure. So, travel companies around the world always include this wonderful place in their tour packages.

Miami
When we talk about Florida, we cannot forget to mention about Miami which is undoubtedly the best place in this state. Apart from the famous beaches, this city is well known for its golf courses, water sport events and activities such as scuba diving, jet skiing and wind surfing. Here, you can eat in some of the finest and luxurious hotels and enjoy your nights in the posh nightclubs. Miami’s cosmopolitan culture has attracted many visitors and made it a vacation hot spot on the global map.

Florida Everglades National Park
Florida Everglades National Park can be a place to be included in your cheap family vacations in Florida. This is a unique place in this state which is well known for its rich fauna. Many kinds of reptiles such as alligators and the crocodiles are found here. If you are an ardent bird watcher, then you can get the opportunity to observe birds such as wood storks and herons here. Boat rides at this place with your sear family members can be very memorable and a unique experience. Activities such as Boat Tours, Ranger-led Nature Walks will give you a lot of joy and happiness. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are some ways to add a few daily miniwalks, depending on your lifestyle.

Busy Parents with Young Babies. Nearly all infants love riding in a stroller. More often than not, the stroller will soothe your baby to sleep. As an added bonus, if you have a colicky baby, your stroller time may be your only quiet time during your day. I knew one mother whose colicky baby cried from 3:00 P.M. to midnight on most days. She often put the baby in a stroller and walked a half-mile loop around her neighborhood — over and over again. Without fail, the screaming always stopped by the time she reached the end of the driveway, giving her the entire walk to collect her thoughts and wits before returning home. If you have more than one child, bring the older one along on your walks or walk with the baby around the playground while keeping an eye on the older one playing on the equipment.

In addition to giving yourself some needed quiet time, daily walks with your infant will help you to reduce stress and lift your mood, which can help fight off the postpartum blues that stem from shifting hormone levels. You’ll also bathe yourself and your baby in sunlight, which, research shows, will help you both to sleep better at night, particularly if you take a morning walk.

In addition to burning calories by walking, you’ll also tone your chest and arms as you push the stroller, especially if you take things uphill.

Start with an infant stroller that allows you to place your baby in a car seat facing you. This provides your baby more comfort, as many newborns don’t particularly like being flat on their backs. It also provides a better vantage point for you to see what your baby is doing. By around six months, when your baby can sit upright, you can progress to a jog stroller, which is lighter and easier to maneuver than the typical baby stroller.

For a little more variety, consider taking things off road by placing your infant in a front-style or backpack baby carrier, depending on his or her age. This adds weight to your body, forcing your legs to work harder. As with the stroller, your infant will probably fall asleep in the pack, giving you needed quiet time.

If you are stuck indoors on a rainy day, you can still sneak in more steps. Put your infant in a sling or baby carrier and walk up and down the steps in your home or apartment. Or, drive to an indoor mall and power walk as you window-shop.

Busy Parents with Children Age One and Older. Some parents tell me that their children at around age one just say “no” to the stroller, backpack, and bike trailer. These on-the-go children simply don’t want to be contained. If that’s the case, I strongly encourage you to carve out some “you” time where you can get in a longer, uninterrupted walk at a brisk pace. Perhaps you can share babysitting with another parent. One day you watch the kids so your friend can have some child-free time. On another day he or she watches them so you can walk or run.

Consider forming a walking club for other parents with young children. Meet at a nearby track or park. Everyone should bring blankets, toys, and, of course, children. During each meeting, one or two parents sit it out to supervise the kids while the other parents walk or run. Use these additional ideas to sneak in more steps:

•Play chase and other active games. Encourage your son or daughter to chase you around the yard or house and vice versa. As your children age, take part in the active games they devise. Join in on tag, baseball, soccer, and other games rather than sitting and watching.
•Take a nature walk. Young children love the outdoors. Head to a nearby park and meander. In addition to allowing your toddler or older child to expend some energy, you’ll be able to teach him or her about trees, leaves, plants, flowers, and other aspects of nature. You’ll also build your patience as your child stops every few steps to inspect leaves, sticks, and other treasures. Read the rest of this entry »