New York New York is a staple of the Las Vegas skyline, bringing “The Big Apple” to the Mojave Desert.
The facade is comprised of replica structures, including The Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, The Liberty Plaza, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and The New Yorker Hotel.
Gawk all you want, but when you’re done, realize there’s a lot to do here.
Itinerary Ideas at NYNY
Ride the Big Apple Coaster: I say this in the most positive, loving way possible: It’s a rough, wild ride.
With a maximum height of over 200 feet and max speeds of 67 mph, the rollercoaster at New York New York is of theme park quality and sends riders upside down multiple times.
A single ride costs $25, re-rides are $10, and all-day ride passes are $65.
Hit the Arcade: Although smaller than those at Excalibur and Circus Circus, NYNY’s Big Apple Arcade is packed with modern games and is steps away from the roller coaster.
Dueling Pianos: The Bar at Times Square transforms into a dueling piano bar nightly, and it’s a blast.
My wife and I typically grab a seat at a video poker machine outside the bar (facing in), allowing us to take in the show while sipping complimentary drinks (comped while playing video poker).
Stroll through the Village Eateries: Tucked behind the Bar at Times Square, this intricately themed part of the property gives serious NYC vibes. It’s movie set quality.
Active restaurants and a coffee shop occupy the street level of the mock city, giving it an even more authentic feel. This little corner of NYNY is one of my favorite spots in all of Las Vegas.
Grab a Cheap Slice: One of my favorite food options in the Greenwich Village section of the resort is Sirrico’s, which serves cheap & quick slices that I think rank as one of the better options in Vegas.
Catch a Live Music Show: Free live music performances are commonly held in front of New York New York on their replica Brooklyn Bridge.
Shows typically take place on the weekends, from 3-7pm, but the full entertainment calendar can be viewed here.
Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil: Mad Apple is a variety show that combines comedy, music, street performers, and acrobatics. Intended to “Fuse the spirit and creativity of the two cities that never sleep”, Mad Apple offers a bit of something for everyone.
It’s not your typical Cirque. Tickets start at $49.
Snag a Cheap Breakfast at America: When it comes to cheap sit-down restaurants on the Strip, it’s tough to beat America, which serves breakfast around the clock. While it isn’t the fanciest meal you’ll eat, most items on the menu land in the $15-$20 range.
I recently stopped in for a massive breakfast (pictured below) and thought it was a solid meal for the price.
Hershey’s Chocolate World: The 2-level store is an ode to all things Hershey’s, stocked with candy-branded merchandise, bulk candy, a dessert counter, and a milkshake bar.
Don’t leave without seeing the Statue of Liberty, which is made from the equivalent of 8,258 chocolate bars.
Things To Do Near New York New York
See the Pyramids: Head across the street to Excalibur and take the free tram that runs to both Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
Luxor is a “must-see” resort if only to check out the awe-inspiring theming and architecture.
Two of my favorite educational attractions are also found at Luxor.
The first, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, educates guests about the ill-fated ocean liner with artifacts recovered from the seafloor and personal stories. You’re given the boarding pass of an actual passenger at the beginning of your visit, and you learn their fate at the end.
The exhibit does a spectacular job of spelling out the human side of the tragedy.
The next, Bodies… The Exhibition provides an education on the inner workings of the human body by leveraging real human cadavers and specimens.
It’s a morbid, fascinating look at anatomy that boils complex systems down into something the average guy or gal can understand.
The final museum attraction at Luxor, Discovering King Tut’s Tomb, allows you to walk alongside Howard Carter as he discovers the remains of “The Boy King”. The information is great, but I was disappointed to learn that every single artifact in the joint was a recreation.
Play Plaground at Luxor is packed with oversized, intuitive games that allow adults to relive their childhood.
It’s a blast.
Hit the Range: If you’re remotely interested in golf, check out Topgolf, tucked behind MGM Grand. There, your group will have the opportunity to smack golf balls, drink beer, grab a bite, or swim in their free 21+ Hideaway Pool.
Games at Topgolf are social, easy to understand, and fun for all skill levels.
Gamble Smoke-Free: Neighboring New York New York to the north, Park MGM is the only smoke-free casino on the Strip.
Upgrade your Pool: Here’s the deal. The pool at New York New York is functional, but it’s not the property’s signature amenity.
A day pass for MGM Grand’s pool across the street, which has a lazy river, or Mandalay Bay’s Beach, which offers a wave pool, lazy river, and real sand beach, costs just $25.
Find Cheap Eats/Drinks: Walk north to Planet Hollywood and explore the Miracle Mile Shops.
Inside are an abundance of cheap drink and happy hour deals, including a $20 AYCD deal at Blondies.
Hopefully, my suggestions for things to do at New York New York Las Vegas and nearby were able to help you identify a thing or two to add to your Las Vegas itinerary!
If you need additional inspiration, check out my property by property rundown of things to do on the Strip.
See Also: A complete list of FREE things to do in Las Vegas, and Kid-Friendly things to do.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.