Las Vegas: New York-New York Hotel Big Apple Coaster Ride

Vegas has a roller coaster above the Strip. The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York gives you a fast, forceful ride around the hotel’s Manhattan-style towers, with a 180-degree twist, sharp turns, loops, and speeds close to 70 miles per hour. I like the nighttime views of the Strip and the way the ride delivers genuine thrills without requiring a full day at a theme park.

I also like the simple location, right on Las Vegas Boulevard, and the fact that you can skip the ticket line with a prebooked ticket. The main drawback is value: $25 buys one short ride, and several sections can throw you around more than expected. Add possible locker fees, and this is not a bargain attraction.

Big Apple Coaster at a Glance

• Location: New York-New York Hotel, Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
• Price: $25 per person for a single ride
• Ride time: Short, usually over quickly despite the one-day ticket validity
• Top speed: Almost 70 miles per hour
• Signature feature: A 180-degree twist on the first roller coaster promoted with this feature
• Height rule: You must be at least 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 centimeters, tall
• Opening hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight
• Best time to ride: After dark, when the Strip lights become part of the view
• Main caution: The ride can be rough on your neck, back, knees, and other joints

Finding the Coaster Inside New York-New York

The Big Apple Coaster sits at New York-New York Hotel and Casino, at approximately 36.1014995, -115.1740094. You are not heading to a remote amusement park. The attraction is part of the hotel complex, making it easy to add between Strip sightseeing, meals, shopping, or a casino visit.

That central setting is one of the coaster’s strongest points. You can walk to New York-New York from nearby Strip hotels, then make the ride part of a larger evening. You do not need a separate taxi ride or a full day away from Las Vegas Boulevard.

The hotel’s New York theme gives the attraction its visual identity. The red track winds around a mock Manhattan skyline, so the ride feels tied to its location rather than dropped into a plain amusement park. From the train, you look over the hotel structure and toward the bright Strip.

I would allow extra time to find the entrance, especially if you are meeting friends or managing children. The exact queue length can change sharply. One person found the line short, while another faced a long wait. Las Vegas crowds, weekends, holidays, and evening hours can all affect how quickly you reach the train.

What the Single Ride Feels Like

The ride begins with a climb that builds tension before the first major drop. You have a moment to look around and take in the height, then the coaster shifts into its fast section.

The track snakes around the Manhattan-style buildings, with quick turns, dips, loops, and a 180-degree twist. The train reaches nearly 70 miles per hour, so this is not a gentle sightseeing ride with a few mild hills. You should expect acceleration and strong movement from the start of the main run.

The most praised part is the combination of speed and twisting motion. People who love roller coasters often rate it as a favorite, and one parent who has ridden major coasters elsewhere said this one surpassed them. That is high praise, though it comes with a qualification: the track is relatively short.

Several riders described the ride as being over in a flash. One person wished it went around twice, while another called it fun but too short for the price. That is the key distinction here. The Big Apple Coaster gives you a concentrated hit of adrenaline, not a long theme-park session.

The force can also feel rough. Turns and dips may throw your body from side to side, and smaller riders can feel the movement more sharply. Large earrings can become uncomfortable, and loose belongings may fall from your pockets. I would remove earrings, empty every pocket, and avoid riding if you have concerns about your neck, back, knees, or similar physical problems.

The Best Views Come After Sunset

During daylight, you can see the red track, the hotel’s mock Manhattan buildings, and the surrounding Strip. At night, the ride takes on a different character. The hotel lights and Las Vegas signs become part of the scenery as you climb and sweep around the track.

I would choose an evening ride if the view matters to you. One family with two boys aged 11 and 12 found the nighttime run especially memorable. Another rider called the view a major part of the sightseeing value, even while judging the coaster itself only moderately thrilling.

Do not expect a calm observation ride. You will only catch quick views between drops and turns. Still, the setting adds something that a standard indoor coaster cannot match. You are moving above one of the world’s most recognizable streets, with bright signs and hotel towers flashing by.

The view also helps explain why this attraction works well for a first-time Las Vegas visit. You get a ride and a small piece of Strip spectacle in the same package. If you are already paying Strip prices for meals and entertainment, the coaster fits naturally into a night out. If you are judging the ticket strictly by ride length, the cost feels harder to defend.

$25: Exciting, But Not Cheap

The listed price is $25 per person for one ride. That is reasonable only if you value the location, the Strip views, and the intensity of the ride more than the number of minutes spent on the track.

I would compare it with the kind of entertainment you want from your Las Vegas budget. A thrill-seeker who wants one memorable burst may find $25 acceptable. A family paying for several people may feel the total climb quickly, especially if everyone wants to ride more than once.

The attraction’s ticket is valid for one day, but the supplied activity is specifically a single-ride ticket. Some past purchasers have described all-day arrangements and repeated rides, but you should not assume that the $25 option includes unlimited access. Check the exact ticket terms before paying if multiple rides are important to you.

One useful detail is the possibility of a discounted repeat ride. A family reported buying another ride for $10 after the first trip. This is not presented as part of the standard single-ride ticket, so treat it as a possible on-site offer rather than a guaranteed benefit. Ask before you leave the area if you already know you want another turn.

There can also be an extra storage cost. The ride requires loose items to be removed, and several people reported paying about $1 for a locker. Even zipper pockets may not be accepted. That small charge will not ruin a vacation, but it is worth knowing before you arrive with phones, wallets, keys, cameras, and other items.

Tickets, Lines, and What to Carry

A prebooked ticket lets you skip the ticket line, which can save time at a busy hotel attraction. You still need to join the ride queue, and that line can be long at certain times.

Have your booking pass ready on your phone. A printed confirmation was not accepted for one rider, so a mobile pass is the safer choice. The annoying part is that you may need the phone to show your pass and then must store the phone before boarding.

Go through your pockets before you reach the loading area. The ride rules are strict about loose items. Wallets, keys, phones, and other objects cannot remain in your pockets, and staff may reject items even if they are inside zipped clothing pockets. Large earrings are also a poor choice for this ride.

I would wear secure, comfortable clothing and arrive with as little as possible. You do not need a large bag for a one-ride attraction, and reducing what you carry makes the storage process easier.

Operating Hours and Timing Your Visit

The posted hours are:

• Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday: 11 a.m. to midnight

You must be in line at least 30 minutes before closing. The ride can stop operating because of weather or other conditions, and the opening hours are subject to change for those reasons.

These hours give you flexibility. A morning ride may suit families and visitors who want to avoid late-night crowds. An afternoon ride gives you a clear view of the track and hotel. An evening ride offers the strongest Strip atmosphere.

If you want to ride after dark, I would not arrive at the last possible moment. You need to be in line 30 minutes before closing, and a weather-related suspension could remove your chance to ride. Since the activity is non-refundable, leave room in your schedule rather than trying to squeeze it in at the end of the night.

A weekday visit may give you a calmer shot at the queue, but no wait time is guaranteed. Friday through Sunday hours run later, which helps if your plans are already centered on the Strip at night.

Who Should Ride, and Who Should Skip It?

This is a good fit for adrenaline fans, families with height-qualified children, and anyone who wants a quick thrill without committing to a full amusement park. Children aged 11 and 12 enjoyed it, and an 18-year-old rider especially liked the twists, turns, upside-down sections, and views.

It can also suit someone who has not ridden a coaster in years but wants to make one bold Las Vegas memory. One returning rider described doing it after many years away from roller coasters and still found it memorable.

You should think twice if you dislike rough motion, strong turns, or upside-down sections. The ride can feel more forceful than its short length suggests. If you have neck, back, knee, or other physical concerns, this is not the place to test your limits.

The minimum height is 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 centimeters. Anyone below that height cannot ride. The provided information does not list a maximum age or additional medical rules, so use your own judgment and ask the attraction staff if you have a specific health concern.

My Practical Ride Plan

If I were planning this attraction into a Las Vegas day, I would use this approach:

• Buy the single-ride ticket only if one strong run is enough for you.
• Check the operating hours on the day you plan to go.
• Arrive well before closing, especially if you want a night ride.
• Keep your phone available for the mobile pass, then prepare to store it.
• Remove jewelry and empty every pocket before joining the final boarding area.
• Choose after dark for the Strip lights, or daytime if you want to see the red track and hotel structure more clearly.
• Ask about a repeat-ride price before leaving if you enjoyed the first run.

This plan keeps the visit simple and avoids the most common surprises: a short ride, a storage fee, and a line longer than expected.

Is the Big Apple Coaster Worth Booking?

Book it if you want a fast, genuinely thrilling attraction in the middle of the Strip and you are happy to pay $25 for one concentrated ride. The speed, upside-down movement, Manhattan-style setting, and night views make it more than a simple hotel amusement.

Skip it if you want a long ride, a low-cost family activity, or a smooth experience for someone with back, neck, or knee concerns. The strongest praise centers on the excitement, not the duration. For me, the best case is a nighttime ride during a Las Vegas evening when the Strip setting adds real value. If your budget is tight, or your group needs several tickets, the short run may feel overpriced.

FAQ

How much does the Big Apple Coaster cost?

The listed price is $25 per person for a single-ride ticket.

Where is the Big Apple Coaster located?

It is located at New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The listed coordinates are 36.1014995, -115.1740094.

How fast does the Big Apple Coaster go?

The coaster reaches speeds of almost 70 miles per hour.

What are the operating hours?

It operates Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. You must be in line 30 minutes before closing.

Is there a height requirement?

Yes. Riders must be at least 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 centimeters, tall.

Can the coaster close unexpectedly?

Yes. Operating hours and service can be affected by weather and other circumstances. The activity is non-refundable.