Coney Island experienced a boom in the number of visitors in the 1920's due to the introduction of a new subway line that connected Manhattan and Brooklyn. The subway fare was only a nickel, which drew millions of visitors to Coney Island to experience the many attractions.

In the 1920s, Coney Island was known as the "World's Playground" and represented the pinnacle of American amusement culture during the Jazz Age. It was famous for its three massive, competing amusement parks: Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland (though Dreamland had burned down earlier, its legacy lingered). The 1920s saw the debut of the legendary Cyclone roller coaster in 1927, which remains a global icon of wooden coaster engineering. The area was also renowned for its vibrant boardwalk, which opened in 1923, providing a massive public space for New Yorkers of all social classes to mingle. Beyond the rides, it was the birthplace of the modern hot dog, popularized by Nathan Handwerker at Nathan's Famous. The 1920s at Coney Island were characterized by "mechanical marvels," freak shows, and a sense of electric escapism that offered a reprieve from the dense urban life of Manhattan. It was a place where social norms were slightly relaxed, allowing for a democratized form of entertainment that combined spectacle, ocean breezes, and the thrill of new, high-speed technology.