Coney Island: 10 can't-miss attractions

It's the birthplace of the roller coaster and the modern amusement park. While its heyday is long past, Coney Island still has a spunky, gritty charm. New development over the past few years has stemmed the New York landmark's long, sad decline and replaced it with optimism and a renewed sense of vitality. There are some new rides and other recent additions to check out, but mostly it's the tried and true classics that keep visitors returning to the seaside playground. Plan your own pilgrimage to Brooklyn's living piece of Americana and consider sampling some of the best that Coney Island has to offer.

Ride the Cyclone

It is perhaps the most famous roller coaster in the world. Dating back to 1927, it is an official National Historic Landmark and fairly oozes with nostalgia. Recent re-tracking and other restorative work has made the ride a bit less aggressive, but the old-school trains, which do not have modern seat dividers, guarantee that seatmates slam into one another. Fun fact: It may look like a rickety wooden coaster, but the Cyclone's structure is actually made out of steel – the same material your nerves need to be made of to ride it.

Eat a Nathan's hot dog (and fries)

Sure there are franchises all over the place, but the hot dogs somehow don't taste as good as they do at the original Coney Island location. Nathan's has been a fixture at the amusement area since 1916. Tip: The fries might be even better than the hot dogs. The event that kicked off the competitive eating craze, the Hot Dog Eating Contest, is held at Nathan's every Fourth of July.

Swing by the Wonder Wheel

Built in 1920, it's even older than the Cyclone and is as much of a Coney Island icon. The unique ride has cars that swing wildly as the 150-foot-tall wheel rotates. If you're less courageous, there are also stationary cars.

Brave the Spook-A-Rama

Speaking of courage, the especially squeamish may want to steer clear of the Spook-A-Rama. It is one of a handful of classic "dark rides" still operating. Measured against today's graphic horror films, the circa-1955 attraction is really more silly than spooky.

Take a spin on the B&B Carousell

There used to be a bunch of painted ponies going round and round at Coney Island. The B&B, which first started spinning in 1906, is the last of the rides that remains from the early years. It has been restored and moved to a different location next to the Parachute Jump tower (which, by the way, is no longer operational). Alas, the brass ring dispenser was removed when the ride was restored. And no, that's not a typo. For some reason, it's always been identified as the B&BCarousell.

Running around the Caribbean — Literally!

What’s better than being in the Caribbean? Running around it!

In the last couple of years amateur athletes have jumped on the “runcation” trend, combining so-called destination races with vacation time for an active getaway. And in the Caribbean, these events are a fun and challenging means of experiencing an island in an up-close and authentic way that you just can’t from inside a tour bus or taxi.

So if you're currently training for a fall or spring race, consider adding these events to your calendar, and see the sights as you chase a PR along a palm-fringed path, no cold-weather gear required. And if you're new to running, what better motivation to get in shape for your first 5k, 10k, half-marathon or longer race than the breezy byways of the Caribbean? Ready? Set. Run!

September 10-12: Nevis Running Festival

It’s hard to imagine running long distances on an island with just 22 miles of coastline, but organizers have plotted scenic out-and-back 10k, half and marathon courses that maximize views of Nevis Peak, the mist-crowned dormant volcano in the island’s center.

• The Course: Expect rolling hills, village views and coastal vistas on the 10k, half and marathon, which all begin in the capital, Charlestown. The 5k, held on the grounds of the Four Seasons resort, is mostly flat. 
• The Swag: Finishers get a race T-shirt and medal. Winners’ trophies are hand-carved from stone by a local artist.
• How to Get There: American Airlines, Delta and US Airways fly into Nevis’ sister island, St. Kitts (SKB). From there it’s a 40-minute ferry or 7-minute water taxi ride to Nevis. Seaborne Airlines, Tradewind Aviation and Cape Air fly directly into Nevis’ Vance W. Amory International (NEV) from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Winair runs service from St. Maarten.
• Where to Stay: Four Seasons Nevis, Mount Nevis hotel and Oualie Beach Resort are offering runners’ rates. Paradise Beach Villas is a good choice for groups.
• Website: nevismarathon.com

October 4: Martinique Semi-Marathon

Party with around 2,000 other competitors in the Race Village for three nights before the 5k, 10k, and half marathon races, then run off all that rum punch during the 31st edition of this French-Caribbean classic.

• The Course: The out-and-back route is mostly flat, starting from Fort St Louis in the capital, Fort-de-France, and following the coastline. You'll pass City Hall and Aimé Césaire Cultural Park along the way.
• The Swag: Winners take home at total of 3,700 euros in cash; each finisher gets a race T-shirt and medal
• How to Get There: Fly nonstop from Miami into Aimé Césaire International (FDF) on American Airlines or via San Juan with Seabourne Airlines.
• Where to Stay: Check out La Suite Villa (actually a hotel) and La Pagerie in Trois Ilets, the island’s tourist hub.
• Website: semi-martinique.com (Be warned, the site is in French only)

November 29: KLM Curaçao Marathon

Organizers say that runners from more than 20 countries have already registered for this second annual series of races, which includes a 5k and 10k run/walk; a trail 10.5k and 16.65k; half marathon and marathon.

• The Course: The half and marathon courses take runners across the capital’s iconic Queen Emma swimming pontoon bridge. Start your hill training now because the route also includes the Juliana Bridge, one of the highest in the world at 185 feet above sea level.
• The Swag: Finisher’s medal and race T-shirt
• How to Get There: Hop non-stop flights into Curaçao International (CUR) from the U.S. on American Airlines and JetBlue.
• Where to Stay: Hotel partners include Lion’s Dive & Beach Resort, Avila Hotel, Hilton Curaçao and Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort.
• Website: klmcuracaomarathon.com

December 5: Reggae Marathon, Jamaica

Now in its 15th year, this popular Jamaican event kicks off in the pre-dawn hours with tiki torches and Rastafarian drummers at the start line, and features reggae music at every mile.

• The Course: The mostly flat 10k, half marathon and marathon courses run into town and back, ending on Negril’s famous beach with a legendary finish line-party.
• The Swag: A commemorative T-shirt, certificate and medal for all finishers; more than $10,000 total prize money for winners.
• How to Get There: Almost every US carrier offers flights into Sangster International (MBJ). From there it’s about an hour’s drive to Negril.
• Where to Stay: Go all-inclusive at RIU, Couples or Beaches resorts. Rock House, Tensing Pen and Idle Awhile are good boutique hotel options.
• Website: reggaemarathon.com

Six minibar items worth the splurge (and some that don’t require one!)

Considering the crazy high prices that many hotels slap onto their minibars, it's no surprise that most guests tend to avoid them. In response, three big chains -- Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt -- have cleaned out the mini-fridges and called it quits; their rooms in hotels around the world no longer have them. But let’s not throw out the Baby Ruth with the Fiji water! Plenty of hotels still provide in-room snacks, drinks and treats, and we promise -- some are worth the splurge. Here are six minibar features we've seen that we can totally get behind.

Local goods

Seeing the same can of Coke and the same Hershey’s bar time and time again can be a snooze. That’s why we salute the minibars that bring in local foods. The Wythe Hotel firmly declares its Brooklyn pride with a bin of Mast Brothers chocolates and North Fork chips. This proves a hotel can earn coolness points with just its snack drawer.

Treats for all, even pets

The first rule in snacking: All snacks taste better when shared with a friend -- especially your best friend, aka your dog. At The Benjamin, pets aren't just welcome, they're treated like any other guest and are given their own provisions. The hotel's goodDog program includes pet treats in the minibars of all guests with pooches, a detail that's sure to leave a lot of tails wagging.

Saucy additions

Why let the minibar sundries end with edibles when there are so many other types of treats hotels can offer? A few bold hotels, like the Delano Hotel in Miami and Gild Hall in New York City, have caught on and offer minibar amenities for seduction: condoms, lubricant and towelettes. In our opinion, it makes perfect sense to park these next to the Champagne.

Minibars stocked with free goodies

Say goodbye to overpriced snacks -- some hotels actually offer minibars stocked with gratis goodies! While this is particularly common at all-inclusive resorts, like Jamaica's Secrets Wild Orchid, some boutique properties have the same friendly approach; one of our faves is Hotel Topazz in Vienna.

A signature snack

A range of snacks is always welcome, but something a little out of the ordinary can be particularly enticing. The Algonquin Hotel's minibar includes three types of Grey Goose and a cocktail shaker. And Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is perfect for dealing with the morning hangover, offering no less than four different kinds of water.

Street-priced snacks

Virgin Hotels made headline news with their minibar announcement: All their goodies would be “street-priced.” Seeing cans of Red Bull and M&Ms at the same price as the corner store is the next best thing to free: Good-bye sticker shock and hello snack attacks!

Hawaii Volcanoes: Lava flows put on good shows

Spectacular even by the standards of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the ongoing eruption at Kilauea has shattered records and drawn big crowds this spring.

In late April, the lava lake at the summit of Kilauea rose to unprecedented levels. Visitors have been treated to fiery nighttime displays of fumes and molten rock.

"It is really, really amazing," says Jessica Ferracane, public affairs specialist for the park. "It's been making international headlines. Our visitation has soared."

"It's pretty spectacular and amazing. It's nice to see that (the Hawaiian volcano goddess) Pele is definitely home and putting on such a big show," Ferracane says.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses ecological zones ranging from ocean coastline to alpine wilderness. More than 150 miles of hiking trails wind through these regions, ranging from sea level to 13,667 feet in elevation.

"One of my favorite places is not somewhere that a lot of people go," says Elizabeth Fien, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. "It's where the 1974 flow is. There are 10- and 15-foot lava trees near Keanakakoi Crater. To me, its one of the most incredible places in the park."

Lava trees are rock formations created when fast-flowing lava engulfs a tree. Some lava cools and hardens around the trunk, while the rest flows away. "To me, it's likeStonehenge," Fien says.

Her group's volunteers have helped remove invasive plant species from park forests since 1997. They also raise money to help the critically endangered nene — or Hawaiian goose — and honuea, or hawksbill sea turtle.

"It is so diverse. There's ocean. There's rainforest. There's the Kau Desert. There's lava. I mean, there's not many places in the world quite like our park," Fien says.

WestJet's international expansion is risky business

Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet is known for its no-frills business model and comedic flight attendants, but it’s hoping to become a whole lot more. Last month the airline announced its first transatlantic route to London Gatwick starting next summer, and CEO Gregg Saretsky told the Wall Street Journal it will be one of many:

“We aspire to be a credible alternative to the existing international flight carrier from Canada. That means that all those geographies ultimately are within reason. Why not China? Why not India? Why not South America? Why not Europe? They’re large markets…that could be better served.”

But not everyone is on board with this new strategy, and West Jet is straying from its bare-bones mentality. The airline’s shares tumbled earlier this week, and analysts say the cost of flying new wide-body planes, and long-haul services like meals and a complimentary first checked bag are bound to eat up revenue (just ask jetBlue).

Even one of the company’s founding execs, Tim Morgan, is hesitant, telling WSJ:

“Going international isn’t something I would have done. If [flying to London] is the best way that WestJet think they can get better yields and the best bang for their buck, all the power to them.”

WestJet faces a host of other problems on the horizon: pilots who are looking to unionize, a sluggish national economy and rumors that a new ultra-low-cost carrier could be launched in Canada before the end of this year.

Taking on international bigwigs like Lufthansa and British Airways at London Gatwick won’t be easy, and WestJet’s arch nemesis AirCanada is also bringing heat. Days after WestJet announced its new flight, the flag carrier’s low-cost airline, Rouge, said it would also service Gatwick starting next summer.

WestJet public relations manager Robert Palmer told Road Warrior Voices in an email statement:

We have recorded 41 consecutive quarters of profitability, five consecutive quarters of record profits, and 12 consecutive quarters exceeding our target on ROIC. All of this has occurred while we continued to evolve and grow as an airline, adding new destinations and routes, launching a new regional carrier and adding a second fleet type, evolving our value proposition to attract more business travellers … In short, the very activities being questioned are the very same activities that have, in part, led to our success.

Only 20 years ago, WestJet was a small outfit of three planes and five routes on the Canadian prairies. Thanks to code-sharing agreements, it now reaches more than 150 destinations in North America and Europe. But it remains to be seen if the airline’s riskiest endeavor will really take flight.