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

The Big Apple Coaster is Las Vegas sightseeing with a safety bar locked across your lap. You climb over the Manhattan-themed towers at New York-New York, then race through a 180-degree twist, loops, sharp turns, and speeds close to 70 miles per hour. At night, the Strip glows below you.

I like two things here: the ride delivers real speed rather than a slow theme-park circuit, and the elevated track gives you a fun view of Las Vegas before the action takes over. The night ride is especially appealing, since the hotel signs and Strip lights turn the setting into part of the show.

The main drawback is value. A single ride costs $25 and is over quickly, while some riders find the turns rough on the neck, back, or knees. You also need to pay for storage if you bring a phone, wallet, or keys.

Big Apple Coaster at a glance

• A Las Vegas roller-coaster landmark: The red track loops around the Manhattan mock-up at New York-New York.
• Fast, forceful action: Expect a first drop, tight turns, loops, and speeds of almost 70 miles per hour.
• A rare 180-degree twist: The coaster was the first roller coaster to feature this type of twist.
• Best visual timing: A ride after dark gives you views of the Strip’s bright signs from above.
• Simple admission: The advertised option is a single-ride ticket with skip-the-ticket-line access.
• Important comfort issue: The ride can throw you around, so it may not suit anyone with neck, knee, or back problems.

What the ride is really like

You arrive at New York-New York Hotel and make your way to the Big Apple Coaster entrance. The setting is deliberately oversized and theatrical, with a Manhattan-style skyline and the red track winding through it. You are not heading out into the desert for a long amusement-park day. This is a compact Strip attraction built right into one of the city’s biggest hotels.

The ride begins with a climb toward the first drop. That slow rise gives you a moment to look across Las Vegas and wonder why you agreed to this. Then the train picks up speed, and the sightseeing portion gives way to a fast run of turns, loops, and sudden changes in direction.

The 180-degree twist is one of the ride’s signature features. It is not simply a straight plunge followed by a few gentle bends. The track keeps changing direction, which gives the ride its punchy, restless feel. You can expect the train to move quickly and to throw your body from side to side more than a smooth family coaster would.

The ride reaches nearly 70 miles per hour. That is fast enough to make the short duration feel intense, though not everyone finds it as thrilling as expected. The attraction’s appeal comes from its speed, height, setting, and abrupt turns rather than from a long, story-led journey.

The Las Vegas Strip becomes part of the ride

The coaster’s height is useful in two ways. First, it gives you a clear view over the Strip before the train starts its fastest sections. Second, the track makes the hotel itself part of the experience, so you are racing around a giant New York theme while Las Vegas shines behind it.

A daytime ride gives you a better sense of the coaster’s structure and the surrounding hotel buildings. A nighttime ride gives you the stronger visual memory. The Strip’s signs and lights make the climb feel more dramatic, and the view from the track adds something a standard indoor amusement ride cannot.

I would choose the time based on your priority. Pick daylight if you want to see how the track twists around the hotel. Pick after dark if you want the most distinctly Las Vegas version of the ride. The operating schedule runs from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 11:00 AM to midnight Friday through Sunday.

Service can stop because of weather or other operating conditions. That matters in Las Vegas, where the sun can be fierce but wind and changing conditions can still affect an outdoor coaster. Do not leave this attraction until the final minutes of your evening. You must be in line 30 minutes before closing.

A short ride with a strong jolt

The biggest question is simple: Is one ride long enough for $25?

The coaster is short. That is not a minor detail. The climb and fast run give you a memorable burst of action, but you are not getting a full day at a large theme park. Several ratings praise the speed and excitement while also calling the ride short or expensive for its length.

I see the value in context. If you already plan to visit New York-New York, the coaster is an easy add-on with no separate trip across town. It gives you a quick, high-energy break from casinos, shops, and Strip walks. If you are judging it only by minutes spent in the seat, the price is harder to defend.

The attraction may make more sense for an adrenaline-focused Las Vegas day than for a family looking for hours of entertainment. You pay for the location, the height, the Strip setting, and the sharp ride profile. You are not paying for a long circuit or a large collection of attractions.

Some booking arrangements connected with the coaster have offered repeat rides or all-day access, but the option described here is a single-ride ticket. Check the exact product before paying, especially if riding more than once is important to you. A second ride can change the value calculation, but you should not assume it is included.

Expect a physical ride, not a gentle sightseeing loop

The Big Apple Coaster is made for people who enjoy forceful movement. The turns can feel rough, and the train may throw you around. That is part of the thrill for some riders, but it can be uncomfortable if you have a sensitive back, neck, or knees.

You should take the health warnings seriously. The attraction is not suitable for anyone under 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 centimeters. The available information does not list every medical restriction, so use common sense if you know that sudden turns or strong movement cause you trouble.

Small personal items also deserve attention. Do not rely on zipped trouser pockets. Wallets, phones, keys, and other loose items must be removed, and riders have reported being required to use a storage locker. The locker fee has been listed as $1 in one account, so bring a little extra money for this practical cost.

Large earrings are another poor match for the ride. They may poke you during the movement, especially if you sit on the smaller side or find the restraints tight. Remove them before boarding, along with anything else that could fall, swing, or press against you.

The attraction requires you to show your pass on your phone in at least some booking situations, but you cannot take that phone onto the coaster. This creates a small nuisance: show your pass first, then store the device. A printed confirmation may not be accepted at the entrance, so having the digital pass ready is the safer plan.

Queues, entry, and the practical price

The ticket includes skip-the-ticket-line access, which can save time when the attraction is busy. That does not mean you should assume an immediate boarding time. Queue length can change, and one account describes a long wait, while another found the line short.

Crowds matter most during popular Strip hours. A busy evening may give you the best view but also the longest wait. A quieter period can make the attraction more efficient, though you will lose some of the night-time atmosphere if you ride too early.

The published price is $25 per person. That is a straightforward cost for a Strip attraction, but it is not a bargain if you compare it with the length of the ride. Add the possible locker fee, and remember that souvenir photos can be expensive. One family paid $38 per photo, a cost that can catch you off guard if you are already budgeting for meals, shows, and other Las Vegas extras.

I would treat the photo as optional. The view and the memory are included in the ride. If you want a picture, ask for the price before committing rather than assuming it is a small add-on.

The attraction is located at New York-New York Hotel, at approximately 36.1014995, -115.1740094. There is no transport service listed with this activity, so plan to reach the hotel on your own. Its Strip location makes it practical to combine with nearby sightseeing, but the hotel itself can be large and busy, so allow time to find the entrance.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the coaster to a few specific types of visitors.

Thrill seekers will get the clearest value from it. The first drop, near-70-mph speed, loops, and 180-degree twist provide a concentrated hit of action. You do not need to spend a full day at an amusement park to get a serious roller-coaster experience.

Families with older children and teenagers may also like it, provided everyone meets the 130-centimeter minimum height and is comfortable with forceful turns. The ride has appealed to groups with children around 11 and 12, and the Strip setting gives the experience a strong family-trip memory.

Roller-coaster fans may want to add it to a Las Vegas itinerary simply because it is unusual to find a full outdoor coaster above a major hotel and casino. It is not a substitute for a large theme park, but it has a setting you cannot copy elsewhere.

I would be more cautious if you dislike rough motion, get motion sick, or have back, neck, or knee concerns. The ride is short, but that does not make it mild. A compact coaster can still deliver plenty of force in a brief run.

How to plan your visit

Aim to arrive well before the final 30-minute entry cutoff. That gives you time to find the entrance, present your digital pass, remove loose items, and deal with a locker without rushing.

If you want a night ride, check the closing time for your day. Monday through Thursday, the attraction closes at 11:00 PM. Friday through Sunday, it runs until midnight, subject to weather and other service interruptions.

Wear secure clothing and leave large earrings and loose belongings behind. You may be required to store phones, keys, wallets, and other items, and pockets that seem safe may not be accepted. Planning for the locker makes the entrance process less annoying.

Think carefully about booking the single ride. If you want the attraction as a quick burst between other Strip plans, one ticket is enough. If you are hoping to ride several times, confirm the ticket type before purchase, since repeat access is not part of the single-ride option described here.

The activity is non-refundable. That makes weather and schedule planning more important than usual. Check the operating status and your timing before you commit, since a closure could leave you with little flexibility.

Is the Big Apple Coaster worth $25?

I like the Big Apple Coaster as a focused Las Vegas experience. It gives you speed, height, a striking hotel setting, and views of the Strip in one compact package. The night ride is the strongest choice for atmosphere, while the daytime ride helps you see the track and surrounding buildings more clearly.

I would book it if you already enjoy roller coasters, want a memorable break from standard Strip attractions, or are visiting with older children who want something active. I would skip it if you expect a long ride, dislike being thrown around, or are trying to stretch every dollar.

The fairest verdict is this: great fun, brief duration, questionable value at full price. Buy it for the intensity and the setting, not for the number of minutes in the train. Show up early, budget for a locker, protect your neck and back, and choose nighttime if the view matters most.

FAQ

Where is the Big Apple Coaster located?

It is located at New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The listed coordinates are 36.1014995, -115.1740094.

How much does one ride cost?

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

How long is the ticket valid?

The activity is valid for one day. The ticket described here is for one ride.

What are the operating hours Monday through Thursday?

The coaster operates from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday through Thursday.

What are the operating hours Friday through Sunday?

It operates from 11:00 AM to midnight Friday through Sunday.

Can weather affect the ride?

Yes. Operating hours and service can change because of weather or other circumstances.

How close to closing time must I join the line?

You must be in line 30 minutes before closing.

Is the ticket refundable?

No. This activity is non-refundable.

Is there a minimum height?

Yes. The attraction is not suitable for people under 4 feet 3 inches, or 130 centimeters.

Is locker storage included?

Locker storage is not listed as included. Personal accounts describe an extra charge for storing phones, wallets, keys, and other belongings, so you should budget for that possibility.