Coney Island Cyclone

The Coney Island Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster in Brooklyn that reaches speeds up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) along a track measuring about 2,640 feet (805 meters). The first drop descends 85 feet (26 meters) at an angle of roughly 58 degrees and the entire ride lasts just under two minutes.

The ride opened in late June 1927 on the site of a former wooden coaster and cost around 175,000 dollars at the time. Over the following decades it was renovated several times to preserve the original wooden structure.

The name comes from a time when such rides were often named after natural forces to emphasize speed and power. Today the wooden structure stands as a symbol of the golden age of American amusement parks and attracts visitors who want to experience the ride as earlier generations did.

The coaster runs during the warmer months inside Luna Park and tickets are available at the entrance on Surf Avenue. Those sensitive to quick movements should consider skipping the ride as it jerks sharply throughout.

After a ride in 1929 Charles Lindbergh reportedly said the coaster was more thrilling than flying an airplane at full speed. This statement made the ride one of the most famous attractions on the East Coast overnight.