Coney Island in Winter: Beyond the Crowds

We visited Coney Island during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in New York City. Despite frequent visits to New York City, we had never explored Coney Island. My wife was eager to see it, hoping winter would lend a unique charm to the beach.

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.

~ Terri Guillemets

One morning, after a stroll in Astoria for bagels with our daughter, we boarded the N train to Coney Island. The train, surprisingly uncrowded, offered a pleasant journey, especially the above-ground portion through Brooklyn, where we enjoyed the outside views.

Arriving at Coney Island, I was struck by its size; contrary to my expectations of a small town, it was quite developed, though not as bustling as NYC – of course. The beach was expansive, its vastness accentuated by the winter season, creating a sense of grandeur and solitude against the ocean backdrop. My wife and I spent hours walking the boardwalk and beach, relishing the fresh air and impressive views.

Despite the overcast sky and chill, there was a distinct lack of wind, making our walk comfortable. The beach was quieter than usual, with more seagulls than people, adding to its serene, almost magical atmosphere.

We stopped at Nathan’s Famous hot dogs before taking the train back to the city. It was a great day trip, and we enjoyed Coney Island very much. Below are more photos I captured during our visit to this iconic place. We hope to visit it again in the summer to experience all the hustle and bustle – and much warmer weather.

Camera: Leica Q2