Last summer was my first summer in the city and it was quite the adjustment for this native Floridian. I grew up a short drive from some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country and a few steps away from my own private watering hole. The home I grew up in and every apartment and town home I rented after always had  a pool.  Thankfully, Manhattan is still an island, which is not devoid of  several oasis. My first beach trip in New York was to Coney Island and though it was a bit further than I would have liked from Manhattan, it still had everything this FL girl needed to feel at home.

Coney Island is a broad sandy beach located in southern Brooklyn  from West 37th Street at Sea Gate, through the central Coney Island area and  Brighton Beach, to the beginning of the community of  Manhattan Beach.  Coney Island also boasts a boardwalk and Luna Park Amusement Park as well as the infamous Nathan’s Hot Dogs.

With summer officially kicking off today there are plenty of festivities to keep you occupied on Coney Island, from the annual Mermaid Parade, which was this past weekend, to the upcoming Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which occurs every 4th of July.

I have to admit it is worth the trip for the hot dog and cheese fries at Nathan’s alone! Will you be sunning on Coney Island this summer?

images via Flickr