You’ve seen the skyline. If you've spent more than five minutes on the Las Vegas Strip, you have definitely seen the 150-foot tall Statue of Liberty and the red tracks of a roller coaster screaming past a mock-up of the Empire State Building. It’s the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, a property that is basically the definition of 1990s "themed" Vegas. But here is the thing: most people treat it as a photo op and a place to grab a quick slice of pizza before heading somewhere "fancier."
That is a mistake.
While the mega-resorts like Fontainebleau or Resorts World are chasing a sort of sterile, modern luxury, New York-New York has leaned hard into its identity. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s surprisingly affordable. Honestly, it’s one of the few places left on the Strip that actually feels like it has a soul, even if that soul is wrapped in a thick layer of kitsch and fiberglass. If you’re looking for a quiet, meditative retreat, go somewhere else. You come here when you want to feel the vibration of a coaster over your head while you're trying to hit a natural blackjack.
The Room Situation: It’s Better Than You Think
People assume the rooms are dated. For a long time, they were. But MGM Resorts recently dumped over $60 million into refreshing the 2,700 guest rooms and suites. They finally got rid of that heavy, "grandma’s dusty curtains" vibe and replaced it with something much cleaner.
The New York-New York Hotel & Casino rooms now feature a lot of "Big Apple" touches—think loft-style accents and brick-patterned wallpapers. They aren't the largest rooms in the city, but the functional layout matters. If you're staying in the Soho Premier or the Park Avenue rooms, you’re getting a much better deal than you would for a comparable room at Bellagio.
One thing most visitors don't realize is that the tower you stay in actually matters for your sleep quality. The "skyscrapers" aren't just for show; they house the rooms. If you’re sensitive to noise, ask for a room away from the Big Apple Coaster tracks. Yes, the soundproofing is decent, but you can still feel a faint thrum-thrum-thrum when the trains fly by every few minutes.
The Casino Floor: Navigating the Chaos
The gaming floor here is about 84,000 square feet. It’s not the biggest, but it is one of the most uniquely laid out. They designed it to mimic the "neighborhoods" of New York City. You’ve got Greenwich Village, the Financial District, and even a "park" area.
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What's the vibe? It’s high energy.
You’ll find plenty of $15 and $25 minimum tables during the day, though those can easily jump to $50 on a busy Saturday night. If you’re a slots person, they have everything from the classic mechanical reels to the newest Buffalo and Dragon Link machines. But the real draw for a certain type of gambler is the "Bar at Times Square." It’s technically a dueling piano bar, but the energy spills right onto the casino floor. It creates this atmosphere where everyone is just... louder. In a good way.
One pro tip: the sportsbook here is small compared to the massive screens at Circa or Caesars Palace. If you want a massive wall of TVs, go next door to Park MGM. If you want a cozy, neighborhood-bar feel where the bartenders actually remember your drink order, stay put.
Eating Your Way Through "The Village"
The food at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino is where the property actually shines. Most Vegas casinos have one or two "celebrity" restaurants and then a generic food court. This place has Greenwich Village.
It’s an indoor "street" with fake manhole covers, faux-brick facades, and a ceiling painted to look like twilight. It sounds cheesy, and it is, but the food is legit.
- Village Street Eateries: This isn't your standard mall food court. You can get a massive slice of New York-style pizza at New York Pizzeria or a legit corned beef sandwich at Greenberg’s Deli. It’s fast, it’s relatively cheap for the Strip, and it’s open late.
- Gallagher’s Steakhouse: This is a direct transplant from the Manhattan original. They have the dry-aging room visible from the walkway. It’s one of the most underrated steakhouses in Vegas. No pretension, just massive cuts of beef and stiff martinis.
- Nine Fine Irishmen: This pub was actually built in Ireland and shipped to Vegas. The Guinness is poured correctly, and the live music—usually starting around 9:00 PM—is some of the best on the Strip.
Honestly, skip the fancy Michelin-starred stuff for one night and just grab a dog at Nathan’s Famous. Sometimes the simple stuff is why you came to Vegas anyway.
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The Big Apple Coaster: Is It Worth It?
Let's be real. The Big Apple Coaster is an old-school Togo machine. It’s rough. It’s jerky. It will probably give you a slight headache if you don't keep your head pressed back against the headrest.
But you have to do it once.
The view from the top of the lift hill, looking out over the South Strip, is incredible. You're 200 feet up, looking down at the Excalibur and the Tropicana site. It’s a 67-mph scream-fest that goes through a "heartline" roll, which is a weird, twisting maneuver that feels like you’re being wrung out like a wet towel.
Is it worth the $25? If you love coasters, yes. If you’re just doing it for the "gram," maybe wait until sunset so the neon lights are popping. They also offer a VR version of the ride, but honestly, the real view is better than any digital overlay.
The Location Advantage
One of the most overlooked parts of staying at or visiting the New York-New York Hotel & Casino is its "neighborhood." It sits right on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Ave.
You are steps away from:
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- The Park: This is the outdoor promenade between New York-New York and Park MGM. It’s full of sculptures, desert plants, and outdoor dining like Beerhaus.
- T-Mobile Arena: If you are in town for a Vegas Golden Knights game or a major concert, this is your home base. You can literally walk out the back door of the casino and be at the arena entrance in three minutes.
- The Bridges: You have pedestrian bridges connecting you directly to Excalibur and MGM Grand. It makes navigating the "Four Corners" of the Strip much easier without having to brave the actual street traffic.
Entertainment Beyond the Slots
For years, the resident show here was Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil. That’s gone now. In its place is Mad Apple, a newer Cirque production that is much more "New York" in its DNA. It’s a mix of acrobatics, comedy, and a live band. It’s less "abstract dreamscape" and more "high-energy variety show."
It fits the room perfectly. It’s messy, fast-paced, and hilarious.
If you aren't into shows, the Hershey's Chocolate World is right there on the front of the building. It’s two stories of pure sugar. You can see a Statue of Liberty made entirely out of 800 pounds of chocolate. It’s a tourist trap, sure, but seeing people's faces when they walk in is always entertaining.
The "Gritty" Reality
I have to be honest: New York-New York isn't for everyone. It can be crowded. The ceilings in some parts of the casino feel a bit low compared to the airy grandeur of Wynn. Because it’s a family-friendly spot with the arcade and the coaster, there are a lot of kids around during the day.
If you want a hushed, library-like atmosphere where you can sip $30 cocktails in peace, you will be miserable here. This is a place where people wear jerseys, yell at the craps table, and eat pizza standing up. It’s chaotic. It’s New York.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning to stay at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino, or even just spend an afternoon there, keep these things in mind to actually enjoy yourself:
- Download the MGM Rewards App: Seriously. You can skip the massive check-in lines by using the digital key on your phone. The line at the front desk on a Friday afternoon can be soul-crushing.
- Eat at Nine Fine Irishmen for Lunch: It's much quieter, and you can usually get a seat on the patio overlooking the Strip. It’s great for people-watching.
- Check the T-Mobile Arena Schedule: If there’s a massive concert or a Knights game, the bars and restaurants at NYNY will be slammed. Plan your dinner for after the event starts if you don't have tickets.
- The "Secret" Arcade: Upstairs near the coaster entrance is the Big Apple Arcade. It’s not just for kids. They have some great retro games and it’s a good way to kill 20 minutes while waiting for a dinner reservation.
- Use the Trams: Don't forget there is a free tram that runs between the neighboring properties (Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay). It saves a lot of walking in the 110-degree heat.
New York-New York is a survivor. It has outlived many of the other themed resorts because it actually delivers on a specific kind of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s a place where you can get a decent steak, ride a coaster, see a comedy set, and lose twenty bucks at the blackjack table all within the same hour. That’s the real Vegas experience.
Check the room rates on midweek dates—usually Tuesday or Wednesday. You can often snag a renovated room for under $100, which is an absolute steal for being right in the heart of the action. Just remember to bring comfortable shoes; those "city blocks" inside the casino are longer than they look.