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

The Big Apple Coaster sends you racing around a red track above the Strip, with the Manhattan-style buildings of New York-New York as your backdrop. It is a real roller coaster, not a gentle sightseeing loop: the first drop leads into fast turns, loops, and a 180-degree twist.

I like the compact burst of speed and the fact that a night ride gives you views of the Strip lit up below. The catch is that the ride is short for $25, and its forceful turns can be uncomfortable if your neck or back is sensitive.

Key points to know

• One ticket buys one ride. The listed price is $25 per person; it is not an all-day pass.
• Expect a quick, vigorous ride. The coaster reaches speeds close to 70 mph and includes loops and a 180-degree twist.
• The Strip looks best after dark. A night ride adds the glow of Las Vegas to the coaster’s view.
• Secure your loose belongings. Phones, keys, wallets, and larger earrings can be a problem on a ride this forceful.
• Check the clock before you go. The coaster closes at 11 pm Monday through Thursday and midnight Friday through Sunday. You must join the line 30 minutes before closing.
• Height limit applies. Riders must be at least 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 cm, tall.

A Manhattan-style track above the Strip

The Big Apple Coaster sits at New York-New York Hotel, where the hotel’s New York-inspired buildings form a playful city backdrop. The red track curls around and through that mock Manhattan, putting the Strip and the hotel’s themed exterior into the ride itself.

This is an unusual way to see a small slice of Las Vegas. You are not getting a slow, sweeping city tour, and the view is not the main event once the coaster starts moving. Instead, you get flashes of the Strip between turns, with a stronger view before and after the fastest parts. At night, the surrounding lights make those glimpses more memorable.

The coaster’s signature is a 180-degree twist, along with loops and sharp turns. The climb toward the first drop gives you a brief moment to anticipate what is coming. Then the ride picks up, with speeds approaching 70 mph. It is built for people who want the sensation of a proper amusement-park coaster in the middle of a city break.

That setting makes the ride easy to fit into a Las Vegas day. You do not need to set aside a day for a distant theme park or plan a separate excursion. You can make the coaster one stop during time on the Strip, though the time needed to wait and ride will depend on how busy it is.

What the ride feels like

The main thing to know is that this is a short but intense ride. The train climbs toward its first drop, then moves through a sequence of turns, loops, and twists. The quick pace is part of the appeal, but it also means the ride is over before you have much time to settle in.

The ride’s force can throw you around. That is worth taking seriously if you have a bad back, neck, or knees, or if you are uneasy about fast turns. Some people find the motion thrilling; others may find it uncomfortable. If you already know that rough coasters do not suit you, this may not be the best place to test that limit.

Secure everything before boarding. Loose items can fall, and riders have also found larger earrings uncomfortable during the twists. Be ready to take your phone, wallet, keys, and other pocket items out. The attraction requires belongings to be stored, and a locker fee of about $1 has been reported, so budget a little extra and avoid bringing items you do not need.

There is also a small practical wrinkle with a digital ticket: you may need your phone to show your pass, but you cannot take it on the coaster. Allow time to display the ticket and store the phone before you board. A printed confirmation may not replace the required pass, so check the ticket instructions before leaving your hotel.

One ride, not an all-day coaster pass

At $25 per person, this is a fairly steep price for a ride that lasts only a short time. You are paying for a high-speed coaster experience in a distinctive Strip location, not for a long ride or a full day of repeat access. If you measure value by minutes spent on the track, the price may feel hard to justify.

The value improves if you are a coaster fan, if this particular ride interests you, or if you want a quick thrill without leaving the Strip. It can also make a fun shared activity for a family or group with different plans for the day, provided everyone riding meets the height requirement and is comfortable with the force.

The ticket described here covers one ride. One person reported buying a discounted repeat ride for $10 after the first run, but that price should not be treated as guaranteed. Ask at the attraction whether a repeat-ride offer is available when you arrive, and make your decision based on the current terms rather than assuming a second ride will be cheaper.

The product says it skips the ticket line. That is useful if you want to avoid buying a ticket at the window, but it does not mean you can count on walking straight onto the coaster. You may still need to wait to board, and a busy period can change how long the visit takes. The ride’s duration is listed as one day because the ticket is valid for that period, not because you will spend a full day on the attraction.

Daytime views or a night run

The coaster operates from 11 am to 11 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 11 am to midnight Friday through Sunday. A ride after dark is a good choice if you want the Strip’s lights to be part of the experience. You will see the city in quick glimpses as you move around the track, rather than from a slow-moving viewing platform.

A daytime ride may make the surrounding buildings easier to take in, but the night setting has a special advantage here: the coaster’s route is wrapped around a brightly lit stretch of Las Vegas. If your schedule allows, consider timing the ride for evening. Just remember that closing time is not the time to join the line. You must be in line at least 30 minutes before the posted closing hour.

Operating hours can change because of weather or other circumstances that suspend service. Check availability and operating status before making the coaster the anchor of your evening plans. If you have a tight schedule, leave room for a closure or a wait rather than assuming the listed hours guarantee a ride at any moment.

Who will enjoy it, and who may want to skip it

This coaster is best for people who actively seek fast rides and do not mind a short, forceful run. It also suits families with older children who meet the height rule and enjoy roller coasters. The ride has been a hit with children around ages 11 and 12, but age alone does not determine whether it will feel comfortable. Your child’s height and tolerance for speed and sudden movement matter more.

If you are a first-time coaster rider, think about whether you are ready for loops, a steep first drop, and turns that can toss you around. Some first-timers have loved the experience; others may find it far more intense than expected. You do not need to be an expert coaster fan, but you should be willing to accept a quick, high-energy ride.

Skip it if you are below 4 feet 3 inches tall. Also consider passing if you have a bad back or neck, sensitive knees, or concerns about being jostled. The ride’s design is a feature for thrill seekers, but it is not a smooth, leisurely way to see Las Vegas.

For a group with mixed tastes, make sure the person who wants to ride is not pressuring everyone else into it. The attraction is easy to visit as part of a Strip outing, but the ticket is non-refundable. Decide before buying, especially if anyone in your party is unsure about intense rides.

Making the $25 fare work for you

The clearest way to judge the cost is to ask what you want from the experience. If you want a long ride, several trips around the track, or a full amusement-park day, this single-ride ticket is not strong value. If you want a short shot of speed in a memorable location, $25 may feel like a reasonable Las Vegas splurge.

I would treat it as a one-time attraction, not a bargain. Its best selling points are the location, the fast sequence of elements, and the chance to see the Strip from an unusual angle. Its weak points are the brief ride time, the possibility of extra storage costs, and the physical jolt through turns.

Plan for the total cost, not just the ticket. If you need a locker for your phone or other belongings, there may be a small fee. Photos are another optional expense: a $38 photo price was reported, which is a sizeable extra for a short ride. You can enjoy the coaster without buying a photo, so decide in advance how much you want to spend.

If a repeat ride matters to you, ask about current pricing at the attraction. A $10 second-ride offer has been reported, but it is not included in the single-ride ticket and may not always be available. Do not build your budget around it.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas, at coordinates 36.1014995, -115.1740094. The attraction’s stated hours are 11 am to 11 pm Monday through Thursday, and 11 am to midnight Friday through Sunday. You must be in line 30 minutes before closing, and weather or other circumstances can suspend operation.

The ticket is valid for one day and covers one ride. The activity is non-refundable, so check the date, availability, and operating status before you commit. The stated benefit is skipping the ticket line, not a guaranteed place at the front of the boarding queue.

Before approaching the ride, empty your pockets of loose items and remove anything that might shift or poke you. Have your pass ready, but plan how you will store the phone or other belongings before boarding. Those few minutes of preparation can save a scramble at the entrance.

Should you book the Big Apple Coaster?

Book it if a fast coaster sounds like a good use of $25, you are comfortable with loops and sharp turns, and you like the idea of riding above the Strip. An evening ride is especially appealing if you want the city lights in the background. For a family, it can be a memorable shared activity when everyone riding meets the height requirement and enjoys intense rides.

Think twice if you are sensitive to rough motion, expect a long ride for the price, or are already watching every extra dollar. The coaster is short, the single ticket does not include repeat rides, and storage or photo purchases can add to the bill.

My practical call: book for the thrill, not the duration. Check the hours and weather status, arrive well before closing, and keep your pockets clear. If that sounds like fun rather than a chore, this is a distinctive Strip-side coaster worth considering.

FAQ

How much does the Big Apple Coaster cost?

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

How many rides does the ticket include?

The ticket includes one ride on the Big Apple Coaster.

How fast does the coaster go?

The ride reaches speeds of almost 70 miles per hour.

What is the minimum height to ride?

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

What are the operating hours?

The coaster is open from 11 am to 11 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 11 am to midnight Friday through Sunday.

How early should I join the line before closing?

You must be in line at least 30 minutes before closing.

Does the ticket skip the ride queue?

The ticket includes skip-the-ticket-line access. It does not say that you skip the boarding queue.

Can the coaster close because of weather?

Yes. Weather and other circumstances may suspend service.

Is the ticket refundable?

No. The activity is non-refundable.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas, at coordinates 36.1014995, -115.1740094.