Nan handled our MT Novel Monday last week, so we're doing a regular-old one. While the park's ice rink and some arcades are open year-round, the first official day of Rye Playland's summer season was this Saturday. On Sunday, though there were a few attractions not yet in full swing, we finally got to see the whole park with people and music and leafy trees. Lovely.
Playland in Rye, New York is about 40 minutes north of Manhattan on Long Island Sound (10 minutes from my house) and is the only facility of this type owned and operated by the U.S. National Park Service. Being open since 1928, it is the prototypical amusement park. Fortunately, it's been well looked after. The buildings maintain their original art deco style with fresh coats of paint and lots of neat gardens. There's a treelined green midway between twin promenades of arcade games and rides as well as food vendors. My inaugural funnel cake of the year was delectable! (click any picture to enlarge. gray day, though, sorry.)
In addition to wonderful kiddie rides, there are full-thrill roller coasters, including The Dragon, which is also one of several rides dating from the inception of Playland. Its age also means certain things are as they are, like the car dimensions. More 18th century than 21st. Read the warning above. Awesome.
There's also a year-round ice rink and an outdoor mini golf course. But Playland isn't just carnival-style fun. There's a wide strolling boardwalk with telescopes and benches and an enormous outdoor pool, as well as a sandy beach for bathing. There's a lake at the park's north end for short rented cruises or paddle boat rentals. Another terrific thing: since this is a public park, admission is free. There's local bus and train shuttle service available, but you'll pay between $5 and $7 for car parking. Most rides require buying ticket cards, and you'll have to purchase your own food-on-a-stick (beer, too), but access is open to all locations and to he beach and pool. The prices for boat rentals are around $10 and mini golf is $4. The prices are very reasonable for such fun, and I was happily stuffing quarters into the SkeeBall and Galaga games next to the shooting gallery. We earned enough coupons for happy-face stickers, a Chinese finger trap, and a yellow plastic duck that clicks. Cool!
Bonus Trivia: This 1988 movie used an old fashioned fortune telling machine at Playland in an integral role.
See MTM innovator Travis Erwin for links to more towns, books, and Mondays.
Monday, May 12, 2008
My Town Monday: Rye Playland
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14 comments:
This place looks so much more manageable than many amusement parks. I had one near me as a kid which is a mall now.
If you click on the map, you can see all the 50 rides and attractions. Of course, not everyone does every thing. I think it's enough for quite a nice day without feeling overwhelming or like you need a home equity loan. My houseguest was also reminded of smaller, more neighborhood-y parks, like Santa's Village, from his youth in Illinois.
Clare, that is so neat to have that in your "backyard". I love the dragon and the sign! I guess if I ever manage to get money to go anywhere, I'll have to lose a bunch of weight first - not to mention my crowd phobia.
The horses on the carousel are just beautiful! Um, and more my speed.
Historically, New York's had great parks. I was saddened when Palisades Park was leveled to put up condos.
Film of the heyday of Coney Island is astonishing.
Thanks for the look, Clare.
Clare,
This is like an episode of "this is your life."
When I was in high school, each year the entire school went on a boatride from Manhattan to Rye Beach. (Playland.)
Fine times!
Thanks for the memories!
Terrie
Great photos! This looks like a lot of fun. I will, however, avoid those roller coaster. :)
That was fascinating. I love the sign on the dragon ride.
They also have other original attractions like the Derby ride, a horseracing themed carousel of sorts that goes up to 25 mph!
For all you Dragon worriers- I'm not a snip of a thing, and my estimation is that I'd manage, but we hadn't bought ticket cards. Next time. Looking at the cars, they're just short on knee room more than anything. I think length is as big a problem as width for that one. But they have one of the original cars out on a pedestal by itself so you can pose in it for photo ops if you dislike the restraints, crowds, and/or heights. Something for everyone!
Leigh- I understand Coney's slated for renovation soon. Of course, I'm not sure how much of the original charm it'll retain, but at this point, anything nice would be better. Though I think a casino may also be in the mix. Even driving over for Nathan's is a little tragic currently. It's a nice change that Playland has been maintained, not overhauled and super-modernized.
Terrie- We're here to serve. Bring the grandkids! I might just be convinced to go along, but don't let that talk you out of it : )
Can Terrie and I stay at your house, Clare?
Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve Rye Playland. Thanks for bringing them back up!
At 6'5" and nearly three hundred pounds I would be able to ride the Dragon but the place looks fun just the same. And I loved that movie, Big.
Well Like Travis, I am generously proportioned so I would have to turn around and walk back out again!! I would appreciate the place thouigh!! (I am also under short for my weight!!!)
Ah, but it takes a true Playland afficioando to know that scene in FATAL ATTRACTION where Glenn Close kidnaps the kid was filmed on the dragon coaster, and that the Mariah Carey video for Sweet Fantasy was filmed on the boardwalk.
And back in my day - they had fireworks displays there (Thurs. nights, I think) - I spent a lot of time there a kid, riding atop my dad's shoulder, watching the horse shoe crabs on the shore.... being scared to go on the Monster Mouse ride.
Yeah, Terrie, I'm with you. Takes me back.
What a great REAL amusement park. Looks like lots of fun and not electronically mall-like at all!
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