Activity Coney Island, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge
An activity in Coney Island, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights, free to visit and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Jan 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why go
The Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day swim at Stillwell Avenue, held for over 120 years; thousands go in.
It is one of 7 curated places we feature in DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 activities and 1 outdoor spot. The closest of our other picks is Nathan's Famous, 0.2 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Activity · Beaches
- Neighborhood
- Coney Island
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 2 hr
- Best time
- Jan 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 4 beyond DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Nathan's Famous
The original hot dog stand at Surf and Stillwell Avenues, serving since 1916 and open year-round.
Food · 0.2 mi straight-line - 2Prospect Park
Olmsted and Vaux park with the Long Meadow, a lake and woodland Ravine.
Outdoors · Brooklyn · 6.0 mi straight-line - 3Brooklyn Botanic Garden
52 acres including a Japanese hill-and-pond garden and spring cherry blossoms.
Outdoors · Brooklyn · 6.6 mi straight-line - 4Brooklyn Museum
Big encyclopedic museum strong on Egyptian art and Judy Chicago's 'The Dinner Party'.
Sight · Brooklyn · 6.8 mi straight-line - 5Grand Army Plaza fireworks
Brooklyn's free New Year's Eve party, with live music from about 10 p.m. and fireworks over Prospect Park at midnight.
Sight · Midtown Manhattan · 7.0 mi straight-line - 6Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Third-of-a-mile esplanade above the East River with a straight-on view of Lower Manhattan and the harbor.
Outdoors · 8.6 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge is a stop on our New York New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More things to do in DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
2 more curated activities in DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights. See the full DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights guide.
When to go: weather by month, based on New York City
Our climate figures for DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights come from nearby New York City. Average daily highs in New York City run from 38°F in January to 79°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge itself, we suggest: Jan 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Modelled monthly averages for New York City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. New York City weather by month (covers DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 40.57330, -73.97880
- Destination
- DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights, New York
Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge: quick answers
How much time do you need at Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge?
Plan on about 2 hours at Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge?
Our pick: Jan 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Insider tip: Register online to plunge; spectators can watch from the boardwalk for free.
Is Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge free?
Yes, we list Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge?
Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge appears on New York New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights.
Plan DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
- DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights travel guide 7 places
- New York City weather (covers DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights) weather by month
- Midtown Manhattan to DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights 3.8 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights
- Juliana's Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.