Coney Island

Even though Hurricane Sandy may seem so long ago, many communities are still recovering from all the damage done. One of the hardest hit areas in NYC is one of our favorite places to play in the summer: Coney Island in Brooklyn.

While the Parks Department says the beach will be ready to welcome swimmers and sunbathers come Memorial Day weekend, many other Coney Island attractions like the New York Aquarium are struggling to open for the season, and some iconic events like the annual Mermaid Parade may not happen at all without support from fans. We've got up-to-date info on what to expect when you visit Coney Island this summer, and how you can help the People's Playground bounce back.

When we think Coney Island, we generally picture it in summer. Beaches, hot dogs, roller coasters—it already seems so far off. But fall is actually a wonderful time to visit New York City's most famous beach community, while it’s still pleasant out and the crowds are thinning. The Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium gives us another great reason to go since it transforms into the Ascarium every October in honor of Halloween. This year's edition has a pirate theme, and there are cool activities and Halloween decorations at every turn. Plus plenty of kids dress up in their Halloween best, which adds to the festive atmosphere. Ascarium at the New York Aquarium is a good deal, too: For every full-price general admission adult ticket purchased, one child under age 12 in costume gets in free. But you've got to hurry: This is the very last weekend of Ascarium this season. Missing it would truly be frightening.

When kids say they want to play something with their parents, they usually mean they want to beat them at something. But when it comes to sports, there are few activities where a parent can honestly be bested by a person half their size and strength without resorting to throwing the game.

The exception: table tennis, better known as Ping-Pong. Forget size and strength; Ping-Pong is all about focus, aim and perseverance—qualities your kids have probably mastered in front of the Wii or Xbox. Here are our favorite kid-friendly New York City Ping-Pong spots where your little ones can whip you fair and square using a tiny paddle and ball.