My Honest New York-New York Review – Is It Worth It?

Looking for an honest review of New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas?

We recently spent 4 nights at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. It’s one of the most recognizable hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, and it’s hard to miss with its scaled-down Manhattan skyline jutting up right on the Strip & replica Statue of Liberty.

The NYNY Las Vegas hotel consistently comes up as one of the more affordable options among MGM Resorts properties. But is it actually worth booking? 

I’m breaking down everything in this brutally honest New York-New York review: the rooms, the theme, the food, the casino, and what I genuinely liked (and didn’t like) about our stay at this budget-friendly resort.

Short on Time?

You can find the best rates for New York-New York right on Expedia. Their price match guarantee means you won’t have to second-guess whether you’re getting a good deal, and if your Vegas plans shift last minute, their cancellation policy has you covered. One tip though, rooms here tend to go fast on weekends, so it’s worth booking sooner rather than later!

Best Things to Do in Las Vegas 

If you’re thinking about a stay in NYNY, you should also add these activities to your itinerary! These are a few experiences I’d highly recommend for your Vegas Trip:

• High Roller Observation Wheel – The tallest observation wheel in the world, with incredible panoramic views of the Strip, especially at sunset
• The Bellagio Fountains – Free, iconic, and beautiful, especially at night! 
• A Day Trip to the Grand Canyon – One of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders on earth, and totally doable as a day trip from Vegas
• Fremont Street Experience – A completely different side of Las Vegas that’s worth at least one evening. Locals love Fremont street more than Vegas for the affordable prices and arguably “better” nightlife 

Arrival & Check-In 

New York-New York sits right on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. Pulling up to the hotel is an experience in itself, as you’ll catch views of the Statue of Liberty replica, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the faux Manhattan skyline. 

Check-in was straightforward, and the staff was friendly and very helpful. The lobby area flows right into the casino floor, and the New York City theme carries through into the interior in a really cohesive way. The theme doesn’t come off as tacky in this hotel.

But if you’re arriving on a weekend, be prepared for it to be busy. This hotel draws a crowd, and check in lines can be long.

The Rooms 

The rooms at New York-New York were a nice surprise. The décor is really well done, with that Art Deco New York City feel, dark tones, clean lines, and little design touches that make it feel more stylish than you’d expect at this price point. We were both pretty impressed.

Our room was also very quiet so we could actually get some sleep (unlike some other hotels on the Strip), and we had an accessibility walk-in shower that was spacious.

The one downside there was that the water splashed all over the floor when the shower was on, which could be a bit of a safety hazard. But, that felt like a quirk of that specific room rather than a hotel-wide issue. A small thing, but worth noting in case you want to book a room like the one we stayed at. 

The New York City Theme

The entire NYNY property is designed to feel like a condensed version of Manhattan. It doesn’t feel cheap or phony, and there are lots of eateries that play into this NYNY theme. It’s a great hotel for families, and the theming is what makes the hotel feel fun and distinctive.

The NYC Skyline & Brooklyn Bridge Replica

The exterior alone is worth stopping to look at, even if you’re not staying here. The Brooklyn Bridge replica connects the hotel to the Strip-facing entrance, and the full Manhattan skyline facade, complete with the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty, is really impressive in person.

It makes for some beautiful photographs at night when everything is lit up.

Inside, the theming includes cobblestone-style walkways, building facades along the casino corridors, and street lamp-style lighting that makes you feel like you’re walking in a neighborhood-within-a-city. It’s definitely one of the more immersive themed hotels on the Strip. 

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Right inside the hotel, there’s a Hershey’s Chocolate World shop, which is a fun stop, especially if you’re traveling with kids or just love Hershey’s. You can pick up all the Hershey’s classics, build custom gift boxes, and grab some treats to bring home. 

The Big Apple Coaster

If you’re into roller coasters, New York-New York has one right on the property. The Big Apple Coaster wraps around the exterior of the hotel above the Strip, and it’s not a world-class thrill ride, but it’s pretty fun. I see people riding it all the time and I’ve heard the views from the top are great. 

I have seen some reviews online flagging safety concerns (I personally think just use common sense and know yourself before you decide to go or not), but the Big Apple Coaster works just fine every night (we could hear the screams of delight from our window almost every night!)

If you’re planning to ride, check the hours in advance as they vary by day and weather.

➡️ Click here to book a stay at New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas!

The Casino 

The casino at New York-New York is lively and well-maintained, with a solid mix of slot machines, table games, and sports betting. It has a more casual vibe compared to some of the more upscale casino floors on the Strip, and always feels crowded. 

The layout can feel a little maze-like (as most Vegas casino floors do), but the New York City theming makes wandering around feel more fun than frustrating. 

Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil

If you’re staying at New York-New York, you have one of the best shows on the Strip right inside the hotel, and it might be the best reason to book here.

Mad Apple is Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas residency, and it has to be the funniest Cirque show I’ve ever seen. The comedians in this show are genuinely hilarious, and I’m not talking polite chuckles. We were cry-laughing for a solid 15 minutes. The show will make you laugh that hard, and then you just can’t stop.

The acrobatics are incredible as always, but the comedy is what makes Mad Apple stand out from every other Cirque production.

You don’t have to leave the hotel for any of it. If you’re planning to catch Mad Apple, I’d recommend booking through Viator, which is the easiest way to lock in tickets for shows like this without any hassle.

➡️ Get your Mad Apple tickets here!

Dining & Bars 

Food and drink options at New York-New York are honestly impressive for a mid-range Strip hotel. There’s a strong “Americana” energy to most of the options: hot dogs, burgers, pizza, wings, and places to watch the game.

But there’s also more range than you’d expect, and you can easily spend a full evening eating and drinking within the hotel without feeling like you’re missing out.

Nine Fine Irishmen

Nine Fine Irishmen is an Irish pub right inside the hotel, and it’s one of the standout dining spots on the property. The food is solid pub fare done well, and the atmosphere is great, especially on weekends when there’s live entertainment. It’s a fun, rowdy spot that fits the overall energy of the hotel perfectly.

If you’re visiting on a Friday night, there’s often a DJ and dancing happening nearby in the Mexican restaurant area as well, which makes the whole F&B corridor feel like a little entertainment district of its own.

Other Restaurants & Bars

Beyond Nine Fine Irishmen, the dining lineup has some good variety. There’s Shake Shack right inside the hotel, Chin Chin, which serves up Asian food on the more affordable end, and Il Fornaio, which is more of an upscale Italian restaurant. But the real dark horse here is the Gallagher’s Steakhouse. 

I’ve heard from people who’ve eaten at high-end steakhouses inside places like Wynn that this one actually holds up to those fancier steakhouses, and in some cases outperforms them. That kind of value-for-money is exactly what New York-New York does best across the board.

There’s also pizza, crepes, hot dogs, and plenty of casual grab-and-go options if you just want something quick between the casino and the pool.

The Pool 

New York-New York has an outdoor pool area that’s a solid option for a Vegas pool day. It’s fun, well-maintained, and carries some of the hotel’s Americana vibes into the outdoor space.

It’s not the sprawling, multi-level pool complex you’d find at somewhere like Mandalay Bay or MGM Grand, but it’s a nice way to spend a few hours in the sun with a drink in hand.

If an elaborate pool scene is a top priority for your stay, it’s worth knowing there are more impressive options nearby in MGM Grand and Bellagio. But for the price point and the overall New York-New York experience, the pool is a solid perk rather than a letdown.

Location & The Park 

Location is one of New York-New York’s strengths. The hotel sits right at the south end of the main Strip, which might sound like it puts you far from the action, but it really doesn’t.

Right across from the hotel is Park MGM, and just beyond that, you can pick up the free tram that runs between Park MGM, Bellagio, and Vdara. That puts you in the heart of the mid-Strip within minutes, completely free.

The Park is the outdoor dining and entertainment district between New York-New York and Park MGM, and it’s lovely. It’s a well-landscaped, open-air walkway with restaurants, bars, and outdoor seating, and it connects you seamlessly to T-Mobile Arena if there’s a game or concert happening during your visit.

The location feels more central than it is on a map, and getting around from here is easy.

What to Watch Out For 

A few things worth knowing before you book:

No in-room fridge in standard rooms. This is probably the most practically annoying thing about New York-New York if you’re watching your budget. Grabbing breakfast supplies from Target is a great Vegas hack, but it only works if you have somewhere to store things.

Worth checking when you book if this matters to you, as some room types may include one. Ours didn’t, and it was a bit of an inconvenience, but we managed to get by.

It’s a party hotel, so embrace it or avoid it. New York-New York skews younger and louder than some of the other MGM properties on the Strip. Weekend nights in particular are lively. It’s not a crazy luxury nightlife situation like you’d get at Wynn or Encore. It’s more of a “we’re in Vegas, let’s have fun” energy.

If that sounds like your crowd, you’ll love it. If you’re after something quieter and more refined, it might not be the right fit.

The casino floor layout can be disorienting. Like most Vegas casino floors, New York-New York is designed to keep you in it. Finding the elevators or a specific restaurant can take a couple of tries, so give yourself extra time on the first day.

Who Is This Hotel For? 

New York-New York is a great fit for:

• Budget-to-mid-range travelers who want a fun, well-themed Vegas experience without spending big
• Groups and friends trips: the energy, the bars, and the casino floor are all made for this
• Families: the theming is kid-friendly, Hershey’s World is right there, and the Big Apple Coaster is a hit
• First-time Vegas visitors who want a hotel that feels exciting and immersive without breaking the bank
• People who want to be on the Strip without necessarily needing a luxury address

It’s probably not the right call if you’re looking for a quiet, design-forward, boutique-feel stay, or if a serious pool scene is your top priority. And if ultra-luxury is the goal, there are better (and pricier) options just up the Strip. But as a NYNY hotel in Las Vegas goes, it’s one of the most entertaining stays you can book at this price point.

New York-New York Review: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York-New York Hotel about? 

New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is themed around New York City, complete with a scaled-down Manhattan skyline on the exterior, a Brooklyn Bridge replica, and an interior designed to feel like navigating the streets of New York.

The NYNY Las Vegas experience is unlike almost anything else on the Strip. It’s an MGM Resorts property positioned in the budget-to-mid-range tier, known for its fun atmosphere, decent dining options, the Big Apple Coaster, and great location near Park MGM and The Park.

Which hotel is better, New York-New York or Mandalay Bay? 

It really comes down to what you’re prioritizing. Mandalay Bay is a step up in terms of luxury, and its pool complex, with the wave pool and Mandalay Beach, is one of the best on the Strip. New York-New York is more affordable, more casual in vibe, and arguably more fun if you’re after a lively, social atmosphere.

For a pool-focused trip, Mandalay Bay wins. For a budget-conscious, high-energy stay with great location access via the tram, New York-New York is hard to beat.

Final Thoughts: Is New York-New York a Good Hotel? 

Yes, especially for the price. New York-New York is one of the best affordable hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. It delivers a fun, well-themed, lively Vegas experience that punches above its weight in terms of dining options, location, and overall atmosphere.

The rooms are stylish, the food is better than you’d expect, and the access to the rest of the Strip via The Park and the tram system makes the location convenient.

The lack of an in-room fridge is an annoying oversight, and it’s not the hotel for you if you want peace, quiet, or luxury. But if you’re going to Vegas to have a great time without spending a fortune, New York-New York delivers exactly that.