Gowanus Lounge reports that the ride itself is for sale. If you don’t believe me go here. No price is mentioned. It’s the best ride in Coney. I wrote this last month after we rode it. Picture by NW_DP was taken on the ride. What a view!

On this warm, bright, and beautiful Sunday, Smartmom, Hepcat, OSFO,
Divorce Diva and her daughter decided to visit Coney Island in the
park’s final season before a major redevelopment plan destroys much of
what’s there now.

Thor Equities plans a $2 billion amusement with retail and
residential developments planned along the Boardwalk. From the sounds
of it, they’re thinkin’ Las Vegas at the edge of New York City, with
loads of new rides, a family hotel, indoor water park, retail, condos
and timeshares.

Oy Vey.

While the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump will survive the
transformation, the Astro Tower, the best ride at Coney will be torn
down, 

Say it isn’t so. The Astro Tower  is located in Astroland along with
other more mundane rides like bumper cars, swirling teacups and a water
coaster, that OSFO enjoyed immensely.

But Smartmom, OSFO and Divorce Diva were entranced by the Astro
Tower, a chance to rise high above the park hundreds of feet in the air
and enjoy a 360 view of the amusments, the surrounding neighborhood,
Keyspan Park, and the ocean as the tower swirled slowly.

Needless to say, No Words_Daily Pix snapped lots of shots.

The ride of the twirling view was created for the 1963 World’s Fair
and was moved to Coney Island after fair just like the Parachute Jump
was created for the  1939 World’s Fair and moved to Coney in 1941. 

This is the stuff of history. At the 1963 World’s Fair the Astro
Tower had an upper level and Hepcat was sorry to see that it’s not open
anymore. In fact, it’s been painted over.

He did ride on the upper level in 1963 when he came east from
California to visit the World’s Fair. It was his first trip to New York
City — a cross country drive he’d never forget. The trip would leave
an indelible mark on Hepcat and inspire him to go Eastward young man
when it was time to go to college.

After college, New York City beckoned and as they say, the rest is history.

Before it’s gone, take a ride on the Astro Tower. It would be fun to
have a party up there riding up and down over and over — drinking
cocktails, enjoying the view, basking in the glory  that is the Coney
Island of not much more.