Vast numbers of hotels are spread throughout Las Vegas, with around 150,000 rooms. Therefore, anyone wanting to thrive must stand out and attract guests. At Bellagio, there are fountains, on top of the The STRAT, there are adrenaline attractions, and at the New York, New York hotel, they’ve built a replica of the city that never sleeps. Part of it includes a roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 108 km/h67 mph and has a steepest drop of 44 m144 ft. Those looking for relaxation should stay at the Bellagio Hotel!
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Table of Contents
History, Height, and Drop of the Big Apple Coaster
The roller coaster has been in operation since 1997 and has gone through several name changes over the years. After its opening, it was called Manhattan Express, then in 2007 it received the sophisticated name “The Roller Coaster”. The most recent name change occurred in 2015, and it has been known as “The Big Apple Coaster” since then.
The Big Apple Coaster reflects New York in every detail. The carts resemble the iconic yellow taxis, the track entrance is from a replica of the subway station, and if you manage to look at the surrounding buildings during the ride, you’ll recognize Manhattan’s skyscrapers.
The maximum speed reached on the roller coaster is 108 km/h67 mph, the steepest drop is 44 m144 ft, and in one section of the track, you’ll experience a spin similar to what fighter pilots go through. While the Big Apple Coaster may lack the intensity of more adrenaline-pumping roller coasters like those in the Six Flags park, it still offers a pleasant experience on a hot day.
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Fun Facts about the Las Vegas Roller Coaster
The roller coaster was built at a cost of $25 million in 1997, which would be approximately $49,920,000 in 2025 prices. You can watch a video of the roller coaster ride.
Las Vegas is crazy, so it’s no surprise that at one point, the New York, New York hotel offered wedding ceremonies on the roller coaster. This was a standard part of the price list. A morning wedding ceremony cost $600, and a wedding ceremony in the evening with the illuminated Las Vegas skyline was priced at $700.
Today, the hotel no longer offers weddings on the roller coaster in Las Vegas. It’s possible that the ceremony on the speeding carts was just too boring by local standards.
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What You Need to Know Before Visiting
Where is the Big Apple Coaster?The Big Apple Coaster is located right on the Strip next to the New York, New York Hotel. You can’t miss it from a distance, and its landmark may also be the replica of the Statue of Liberty.
There is a bus stop nearby at Tropicana @ Las Vegas (W).
Operating HoursThe coaster operates daily in favorable weather conditions, with hours from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 11:00 AM to midnight Friday through Sunday. Children taller than 137 cm are allowed to ride.
Big Apple Coaster TicketsThe price for a single ride ticket is $26, and it does not change throughout the day. Discounted children’s tickets are not offered. This information was last updated on March 4, 2025.
You can buy tickets online for any day, and you can come at any time during that day, but no later than 30 minutes before closing.
Free Admission to the Big Apple Coaster with the Go City Pass Las VegasYou can visit the Big Apple Coaster for free if you purchase the Go City Pass Las Vegas. It is available for 2-5 days, allowing you to visit dozens of attractions in Las Vegas without additional payments.
In addition to the roller coaster, you can also enjoy a scenic helicopter flight, the High Roller Ferris wheel, or the replica of the Eiffel Tower. With good planning, you can save hundreds of dollars in just four days.
My Review of the Big Apple CoasterThe Big Apple Coaster was a fun addition to the day. Since we went on a weekday, we didn’t have to wait in line, which tends to be longest from Friday to Sunday. Compared to attractions I’ve experienced at Six Flags, it’s a bit ordinary, but its availability in Vegas makes it worth a try.
Before riding, you must remove all items from your pockets and store them, along with any bags, in a secure locker. This makes sense, as your belongings would likely fall out during the ride. My only complaint is the ticket price for a ride that lasts just under three minutes. You can save money by purchasing the aforementioned Go City Pass Las Vegas, which allows you to ride the coaster for free once.
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Photos of the Big Apple Coaster
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