How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest from Every NYC Borough

There are few things more iconic than watching grown adults scarf down absurd numbers of hot dogs on national television. But nothing beats seeing it live.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a true NYC spectacle — part county fair, part fever dream — and it goes down every July 4th at 1310 Surf Ave. in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

If you’ve never been, make this the year you brave the crowds and ketchup-stained T-shirts. Here’s how to get there from every borough — no excuses.

🗽How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest From Manhattan

Your Move: Q train from Midtown or Downtown
Start: Times Sq-42nd St, Herald Sq, or Union Sq
End: Coney Island-Stillwell Ave (last stop)

Time: ~1 hour
Pro Tip: Get on at Herald Square for a better shot at a seat. Bring a cold drink and low expectations for personal space.

🐿 How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest From Brooklyn

Your Move: Q, F, D, or N trains
Best Bet: Wherever you are, aim for one of these lines — they all land you at Coney Island-Stillwell Ave.

Time: 20–50 minutes depending on your ‘hood
Pro Tip: If you’re already in South Brooklyn, consider the B68 bus straight down Surf Ave.

🏙 How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest From Queens

Your Move: E → Q or N → D combo
Start: Jamaica Center or Roosevelt Ave
Transfer: Switch to the Q or N in Manhattan, then to the D at Atlantic Av-Barclays

Time: ~1.5 hours
Pro Tip: Treat this like a pregame. Grab an iced coffee and a bacon egg and cheese before boarding.

🏞 How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest From The Bronx

Your Move: D train all the way down
Start: 205th St (or wherever you can hop on the D)
End: Coney Island-Stillwell Ave

Time: ~1.5 hours
Pro Tip: This is the same line Joey Chestnut has probably taken once or twice. Consider this your hot dog pilgrimage.

🌉 How to Get to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest From Staten Island

Your Move: SI Ferry → R train → D or N
Start: Staten Island Ferry to Whitehall
Transfer: Walk to R train at Whitehall, switch to D or N at Atlantic Av-Barclays

Time: ~1.75–2 hours
Pro Tip: Ferries run every 30 minutes on holidays — check the schedule and give yourself a buffer.

What to Expect for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

• Time: Contest starts at 11 AM — arrive by 10 AM if you want a decent view.
• Crowds: Expect thousands of screaming fans, lots of red, white, and blue, and chants of “EAT THAT DOG!”
• Vibe: Pure chaos. The best kind.

Final Tips

• Pack water — July heat and elbow-to-elbow crowds don’t mix well.
• Don’t drive — You’ll spend more time hunting for parking than Joey Chestnut spends inhaling 60 hot dogs.
• Wear sunscreen — unless you want grill marks on your forehead.
• Stick around — The beach, boardwalk, and Luna Park are right there for post-contest chills.

Getting to Coney Island is half the fun. The other half? Watching someone eat 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes while a man in a straw hat yells about America. See you there.

📍 Nathan’s Famous – Coney Island
🗓 Friday, July 4
📍 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224