Coney Island Museum

Please note: The Museum is closed for the season. See you in 2022!

For over a century, the Coney Island amusement district has represented the changing face of American popular culture. A source of wonders, thrills, and larger-than-life spectacles for many generations, Coney Island has also been the site of a wide range of historical innovations, including the hot dog, the first escalator ride, and the introduction of the infant incubator as a tool for neonatal care.

The Coney Island Museum is the only accredited institution singularly dedicated to preserving, protecting, and interpreting the unique history of the People’s Playground. It houses the world’s premier collection of Coney Island photographs, paintings, ephemera, amusement-related objects, architectural elements, and vintage signs on view to the public. In addition to the permanent collection, the Museum also hosts special exhibitions and lectures on Coney Island’s history and impact. The Museum’s archives are available as a critical resource to researching scholars and its public displays support educators from local schools.

Museum may be closed due to special events, check our calendar. 

Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, Kids (under 12) and residents of  Zip Code 11224.

There are no online sales, tickets are purchased at the door. 

The Coney Island Museum currently features these major exhibits:

Five Cents To Dreamland: A Trip to Coney Island

The Coney Island Museum is thrilled to host Five Cents To Dreamland in our East and West Galleries. Presented in cooperation with the New York Transit Museum, this special exhibition brings together highlights from both permanent collections to explore Coney Island’s history from a new and unique perspective.

Highlights from our Permanent Collection

Funhouse mirrors, shooting gallery targets, rare hold-to-light postcards, and a mid-century studio photo booth offer a glimpse into Coney Island’s fun and colorful past.

Gifts In-Kind
If you have a piece of Coney Island history that you want to preserve and share with future generations, the Coney Island Museum can help. As the only accredited institution uniquely dedicated to preserving and promoting Coney Island’s history, we can ensure that your historical treasure continues to make an impact for years to come.

For more information, please contact Lisa Mangels-Schaefer at museum@coneyisland.com

Coney Island USA requires all visitors to wear masks indoors. Free disposable masks will be available where tickets are sold and at the entrance to the theater. We have based this requirement on City, State, and CDC guidelines.

As of August 13, 2021 we will require proof of vaccination for all visitors. Methods of proof include the New York State Excelsior Pass app, the NYC Covid Safe app, or a paper vaccination card with ID. If you presently hold tickets for events after that date, are unvaccinated, and will not be fully vaccinated in time, please get in touch with us for a refund.

Link for Excelsior Pass

NY COVID Safe App
Android app 
Apple app