Located near the Southern end of the Strip across the street from the MGM Grand and the Excalibur, the New York, New York Hotel and Casino is best known for its facade which resembles the Manhattan skyline, albeit one with a roller coaster running through it.
New York, New York
Out front and center is a quite realistic looking replica of the Statue of Liberty, setting the tone for a very East-Coast type vibe on the inside.
The hotel opened not so long ago, back in 1997, but at just over 2,000 rooms, it is not up to the scale of most of the larger resorts opened during that time period. The interior is nice enough but nothing particularly special, not when compared to anything like Bellagio, the Venetian, or CityCenter.
The place tends to cater more to the younger crowds, as in college age and people in their twenties. Some families with older kids also like the place, in part due to the roller coaster, which is one of the best thrill rides on the Strip (more on that below).
Since the property is located more towards one end of the Strip, it is a bit of a jaunt up to some of the more popular attractions, such as the Bellagio Fountains, the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and especially the Pirate show at Treasure Island. This is especially true in the summer, when walking a block in the intense heat can feel like five miles. But you are close to the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay, so if you are looking for a more localized experience (or if you have been to Vegas before), this hotel is an option to consider.
New York, New York Entertainment
The roller coaster is one of the big draws here, and it is a pretty good one, not for the faint of heart. Reported to hot up to 67 miles per hour, the coaster has a maximum height of 203 feet at a maximum drop of 144 feet. The ride is close to a mile long, at 4,777 feet.
Statue of Liberty, New York, New York
The coaster runs both outside, through the replicas of New York skyscrapers and other landmarks, and inside the hotel as well. It also provides some pretty fine views of the Strip at its higher points.
The other entertainment here tends to skew a bit older, reflecting the young adult demographic that frequents the place. They have a great Cirque du Soleil show, Zumanity, that is also the one really risque Cirque show in Vegas and which is for audiences 18 and over only.
In addition, there are a number of popular clubs here, including Coyote Ugly, Nine Fine Irishmen, Rok Vegas, and the Center Bar.
The bottom line is, if you are a college student or young adult looking for a great time, check this place out. But if you have younger kids or if you just prefer avoiding the spring break demographic, you might want to check out some place catering to a bit more sophisticated crowd.
