Must Do with Kids in NYC: Brooklyn Cyclones' Baseball Game!

Let me preface this post with a statement that I am not big into sports. Like, not at all. Nor is my husband or our kids. But, we are all about family-friendly fun activities, so when I found out there's a minor league baseball team in Coney Island, playing on the 4th of July, followed by fireworks we could watch from the field, I was ALL IN!!! We were provided free tickets in exchange for this post, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. Click below to watch our highlights video embedded from YouTube and keep reading for more details about what you can expect at a Brooklyn Cyclones' minor league baseball game in Coney Island, and my tips for getting home from Coney Island on the 4th of July (spoiler alert: it's a MAD HOUSE but totally doable!!)

From Bay Ridge, it's a pretty simple commute down to Coney Island - take the R to 59th, transfer to the N (go up and down stairs to the track going the opposite direction), and get off at the last stop, Coney Island / Stillwell Ave. Or take a direct (but long) B64 bus down there. You're just a stone's throw from the Boardwalk, the Beach, the Aquarium, Luna Park, and MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones - a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Mets!

Tickets are a steal at just $15 for most games (cheaper on weeknights), and you can also get group tickets, book a party room or even a picnic area. Many of the games have great giveaways to the first X number of visitors. On the day we went, they gave away Coney Island bobble heads and a free hot dog voucher (or $4 toward any food, beverage, or gift shop item) to the first 2,000 fans!

It was hot, and the seats were in the sun for the first hour or so. Rather than sweat it out and have the kids getting stir crazy, we decided to hang out up top where there was lots of space, a great shaded breeze, not to mention all the food and drinks and toilets! Concessions aren't cheap, but there are great options - from the traditional hot dog and beer to more gourmet and exciting options. I'd never had it before but after trying it at the game, I am now in love with Truly Hard Seltzer (affiliate link), which has only 1 gram of sugar - that's 26 less grams and half the calories as the hard cider I typically imbibe. WHAT!? And it was delicious!

There was lots of non-baseball entertainment throughout the game, as well, such as a race of 3 giant costumed hot dogs (my son's favorite), cheerleaders dancing and engaging the fans (my girls' favorite), and some fun contests that involved fans, including one fan getting a bucket of hot dogs dumped over her head! Yikes!

Most Friday night games, and the Fourth of July, finish with fireworks and you'll have a front row seat whether you stay in your seat or are invited to take the field (I'm thinking the latter might be only on Independence Day, but I'm not sure). The fireworks were fun and they played great patriotic music in the background, but they started late. After 10pm!!

After they finished, we all made a last minute bathroom stop, and headed to the station which was just beyond crowded. It was reminiscent of trying to board the last train of the night back in Tokyo. Like, OMG. But, with kids in tow. It was very nerve wracking!! We stumbled upon a little secret and I will share it with you - go in the side entrance!! There was no crazy crowd, and we did swipe but it seems they were pretty much just holding the gates open and letting everyone just go through without paying. I guess anything to get the crowds moving! We managed to get on the first train and our exhausted tots were offered seats by incredibly kind fellow subway goers. Once we made it back to Bay Ridge we were bummed to find out our local bus wasn't running, so we had to hoof it the last half mile home. I couldn't be prouder of our kids for making it the whole way home. In bed around midnight, it was quite a hot, exciting, and eventful day and I'm thinking we'll be making this an annual event, and highly recommend you considering it, too!!! Check out the schedule and get your tickets here!

Have you been to a Brooklyn Cyclones game, or have additional tips for 4th of July in Coney Island with kids? Leave a reply below!!

And here are some additional posts we think you'll find helpful:
- Summer Bucket List for Bay Ridge and Beyond
- The Best Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from NYC
​- Classes & Activities for Babies and Toddlers in Bay Ridge