The Mermaid Parade Extravaganza-Coney Island

Coney Island: The Mermaid Parade 🧜‍♀️
Get ready to dive into one of the most whimsical, wild, and wonderful events of the summer! Bring your flippers, bring your fins—this isn’t a day for chills, just thrills!

Date: Saturday, June 21st
Weather Forecast: Sunny, blue skies, and temps in the 80s
Sights & Smells: Funnel cakes, crispy French fries, classic NYC/Brooklyn pizza, and of course, the iconic aroma of Nathan’s Original Hot Dogs. HOT DOG! 🌭

But let’s talk about the real star of the show—the Mermaid Parade. Expect to see hundreds of mermaids from over 25 countries. Some will be dazzling in extravagant costumes, others boldly artistic with nothing but body paint (yes, it’s all in good fun and remains family-friendly).

And for the kids—or the kid in you—Coney Island offers an entire amusement park, arcades, bike rentals, face painting, and a beach so big, you might want to size up your swim trunks.

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🚆 Getting There from Hamilton Station, NJ:

I’ll be catching the train from Hamilton Station to Penn Station NYC, departing at either 8:24 AM or 9:08 AM. Travel time is about 1.5 hours. I will confirm which train I will be on 3 days prior to the event date. Please arrive to the station at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
• Parking at Hamilton Station: $8 per day (may be free on weekends)
• Round-trip train fare (Adult): $37
• NJ Transit Info: www.njtransit.com

Once in NYC:

1. Take the A train from 34th St–Penn Station to W 4th St–Washington Square
2. Transfer to the D train, heading to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue
   • Subway ride time: ~1 hour
   • Subway fare: $2.90

Total travel time: ~2.5 hours
Parade starts at 1:00 PM, so plan accordingly!

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🛣️ Other Travel Options:
• Drive: Convenient but parking may be a challenge
• Uber/Lyft: ~$200+ each way
• Helicopter via Zip Aviation: ~$4,300 round trip (seats up to 6; around $2,100 per person with tip)

(Yes, that helicopter option is real. But let’s be honest—unless you’re Neptune himself, maybe stick with the train.)

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🚗 Carpool Anyone?

If you’re heading out from Philadelphia or the Northeast, feel free to coordinate in the comments. Carpooling is a great way to split costs and ride in style!

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📎 Helpful Links:
• Mermaid Parade Highlights (Video) https://youtu.be/ZohtpM-FIFc

• Official Mermaid Parade Info
https://www.coneyisland.com/mermaidparade

• Parade Vibes – Another Fun Clip https://youtu.be/55Hpc2PNX4I

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Get your sea legs ready—it’s going to be a splash!

Ps: There isn’t a limit on guests!