Requiem for a Dream made me think it was full of heroin addicts and crazy old Jewish women.

Parodies in The Simpsons and Futurama made me think it was creepy and abandoned.

The news media made me think it was a tragic land of dashed hopes and shattered dreams, destined for eminent domain and brand new luxury condos.

But this weekend, I discovered that Coney Island is pretty f*ing cool. True, the rides are kind of lame, and the food is awful and overpriced, but the ocean is gorgeous, and the kitch is kind of fun. Where else in New York City could I ride a Ferris Wheel? Go fishing? Fly a kite? Eat at the original Nathan's? My opinion may be biased because it was packed with crazies for Mermaid Day, but I’m definitely heading back for the hot dog eating contest next month.