The Big Apple Coaster at New York New York

Screaming over the south Strip on a New York taxicab — the honest local take on whether Vegas’s most iconic coaster is worth the ride.

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Built Right Into the Skyline

The Big Apple Coaster is a steel roller coaster built right into the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, wrapping around the resort’s replica Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty out front. It opened in January 1997, originally called the Manhattan Express, and it’s a real piece of Vegas history — the last coaster of its kind from Japanese manufacturer TOGO still running anywhere in North America. The trains are themed to look like New York City taxicabs, and the whole ride is designed to feel like you’re tearing through the streets and rooftops of Manhattan, except the view is the actual Las Vegas Strip spread out beneath you. Part of the track even crosses over the resort’s driveway, so you get that stomach-drop moment of hanging out over the street.

Not a Gentle Warm-Up Coaster

This is not a gentle warm-up coaster. Here’s what you’re signing up for:

• Speeds up to 67 mph as it whips around the skyline.
• A peak height around 203 feet, with the biggest plunge dropping about 144 feet.
• Two inversions — a full vertical loop and a dive loop — plus the coaster’s signature twisting dive.
• Nearly 4,800 feet of track and a ride time of roughly three minutes.

That combination of real height, real speed, and back-to-back inversions is exactly why this one has a reputation. It climbs high, drops hard, and doesn’t let up much once it gets going. The payoff is a genuinely unbeatable view: for a few seconds at the top, you’re looking out over the entire south Strip before gravity takes over.

Is This Your Kind of Ride?

Ride this if:

• You love a real thrill coaster and want the bragging rights of riding the one you can see from the Strip.
• You want one of the best aerial views of the Strip you can get without paying for a helicopter.
• You’re traveling with older kids or teens who meet the height requirement and want an adrenaline hit.
• You appreciate a bit of Vegas history and want to ride an original 1997 landmark.

Skip this if:

• You get motion sick easily or have a sensitive neck or back — this coaster has a well-earned reputation for being on the rougher, jerkier side.
• You’re bringing small children under the height minimum.
• You want a smooth, modern, glass-smooth ride; this is an older-style coaster and it rides like one.
• You’re not into inversions or big drops.

I want to be straight with you on that roughness point, because it’s the single most common complaint. This is a coaster from the late ’90s, and even with newer trains and magnetic brakes added over the years, some riders find the side-to-side jostling uncomfortable. If you’re an experienced coaster person, you’ll probably shrug it off and enjoy the ride. If your back or neck is finicky, take the warning seriously.

54 Inches, Strictly Enforced

Riders must be at least 54 inches (4 feet 6 inches) tall to get on, measured without shoes. That’s a firm rule, strictly enforced, so if you’re traveling with kids, measure ahead of time to avoid disappointment at the gate. No loose articles are allowed on the ride either, so plan to stash phones, bags, hats, and anything else that isn’t secured before you board.

How Much Coaster Do You Want?

• Single ride: the basic one-and-done ticket.
• Re-ride: if you know one lap won’t be enough, you can grab a discounted second ride — buy it at the same time as your first.
• All-Day Scream Pass: ride as many times as you want all day, the move for true coaster fanatics.
• Family Flight-for-Four: a package that covers admission for four and includes souvenir photos.

Because it’s one of the most popular attractions on the Strip and lines can build during peak times, booking in advance is smart — it lets you skip some of the hassle at the counter and lock in your spot, especially on busy weekends and holidays. Pricing and pass options can change, so check the official New York-New York site for current rates.

Ride It at Night

The coaster generally runs daily, opening late morning and staying open into the evening, with slightly later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours do shift with the season, so confirm the day’s schedule on the official site before you head over. My honest recommendation: ride it at night. The daytime view is great, but after dark the entire Strip lights up beneath you and it turns from “nice view” into “unforgettable.” You also beat the worst of the summer heat.

One thing to keep in mind is the weather. This is an outdoor coaster in the desert, and high winds can pause or close the ride entirely for safety. It doesn’t happen constantly, but on a gusty day, don’t be shocked if it’s temporarily down — build a little flexibility into your plans if the ride is a must-do.

Arcade, Dining & Greenwich Village

The coaster empties right into the Big Apple Arcade, so it’s an easy combo: ride the coaster, then let the group blow off steam on video games, air hockey, and Skee-Ball. New York-New York itself is worth wandering, too. The interior is designed to feel like strolling through Greenwich Village, complete with brownstone facades and outdoor-style dining along a cobblestone “street,” and there’s a food court and shops right there. It makes for a self-contained few hours if you’re building a Strip afternoon around it.

Make the Most of Your Ride

• Go at night for the light show. The Strip after dark from 200 feet up is the whole reason to ride.
• Empty your pockets first. Loose items aren’t allowed, and you don’t want to lose a phone over the Strip.
• Eat after, not before. Between the drops and the inversions, this isn’t the ride to do on a full stomach.
• Check the wind. If it’s a blustery day, confirm the coaster’s running before you make the trip over.
• Cooler months are more comfortable. Spring and fall spare you the peak summer heat while you wait in line.

For Thrill-Seekers, Yes

For thrill-seekers and coaster fans, yes. There’s nothing quite like screaming over the Las Vegas Strip on a ride that’s been a landmark for decades, and the views alone make it memorable. Just go in with clear eyes: this is a classic ’90s thrill coaster, not a buttery-smooth modern one, so if you’re sensitive to rough rides, it may not be your favorite. But if you want speed, big drops, a couple of loops, and the best budget-friendly aerial view of the Strip in town, the Big Apple Coaster still delivers after all these years. Book ahead, ride it at night, and hold on.

Quick Details for Your Visit

• Where: The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, on the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, at the south end of the Strip.
• What to expect: A 203-foot-tall steel coaster reaching 67 mph, with a 144-foot drop, two inversions, taxicab-themed trains, and big open views of the Strip. It’s a thrilling but older-style ride that can feel rough — the height minimum is 54 inches.
• Good to know: Ride at night for the best views, empty your pockets before boarding (no loose items), and check for wind delays on gusty days.
• Hours & pricing: These vary by season and can change — check the official New York-New York site for current hours, ticket types, and rates before you go.

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