New York-New York Las Vegas Review for January 2026

New York-New York opened January 3, 1997 on the south side of the Strip.

Its neighbouring resorts of Excalibur, Luxor, and Park MGM (then the Monte Carlo) were already in place. as were the now disappeared Tropicana and MGM Grand opposite. It was therefore a prime spot for development and ideally New York-New York found itself located right in the centre of them all.

The idea of theming it around New York came from a former White House staffer called Sig Rogich who was the United States Ambassador to Iceland. It originally opened as a joint venture between MGM and Primadonna resorts, but MGM took full control in 1999.

The outside aesthetics of New York-New York depicts Manhattan in the 1940’s and although it looks like a series of individual skyscrapers, the resort is actually all in one building.

Stand out elements include the replica Statue of Liberty, Chrysler Building, and Empire State Building which are roughly one-third of the size of the real buildings, plus the replica Brooklyn Bridge that sits along Las Vegas Boulevard.

Although these are the instant eye-catching features, there are also replica versions of the Grand Central Terminal, Ellis Island, Century Building, Liberty Plaza, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, The New Yorker Hotel and The CBS Building among others too.

I remember seeing the outside of New York-New York for the first time and being astounded by its appearance. It is absolutely stunning, particularly at night when it is lit up and all the different coloured skyscrapers really illuminate. I don’t mind admitting that to this day, it is still my favourite looking resort in Las Vegas.  

Stepping inside the resort, the wow factor continues. Every inch of the resort is themed, from the replica Times Square, Greenwich Village, Wall Street and Broadway.

The attention to detail is incredible including the cobbled walkways, street signs, neon billboards, exposed brickwork, intricately designed loft apartments with fire escapes and shop fronts. Even the lifts which lead to different hotel towers are individually themed.  

The actual casino at New York-New York is fairly small by Las Vegas standards. But the combination of the intimate size mixed with the heavy theming means it is a lively and vibrant resort 24/7 with a buzzing atmosphere.

There is always something new to see or notice in the theming, even for me, and I have been there more times than I care to admit! Plus, the nightly live entertainment makes for a fun environment to gamble in.

Location

New York-New York is located at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, but it is right in the heart of it.

Further south is Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay which are all connected by inner and outer walkways as well as a free tram that operates daily.

You just need to take the upper pedestrian bridge straight out of New York-New York to Excalibur and you have easy access to all of these resorts within minutes.

Directly opposite New York-New York is MGM Grand which is also connected by an upper pedestrian bridge which takes barely a minute to cross.

The Las Vegas Monorail operates from MGM Grand and can take you all the way down the east side of the Las Vegas Strip with stops at Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, LINQ, all the way to Sahara. It is ideal for visiting the High Roller or for seeing the Sphere. As of 2025, tickets cost from $5.50 for one ride to $57.50 for a 7 Day Pass.

To the north of New York-New York is Park MGM. which just a couple of minutes’ walk, and this is connected internally to Aria, which is then close to Cosmopolitan and Bellagio next door.  It takes around 20/25 minutes to walk from New York-New York to Bellagio, so although the resort is based on the south, it is still not too far from centre Strip. There is also an internal walkway between Aria and Bellagio, but it brings you our at the rear of the property, so I am not that sure it saves all that much time really.

Alternatively, you can make use of the free Aria Express tram that runs between Park MGM, Aria, Vdara and Bellagio.

Directly behind New York-New York is the T Mobile Arena which hosts huge sports and music events. Meanwhile the Dolby Live venue is next door at Park MGM and the Allegiant Stadium is also close-by and easily accessible via the tram and a short walk.

If you want to explore the Strip more, then the Deuce bus has stops outside of neighbouring resorts Excalibur and Park MGM and this runs all the way along to Strip to Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas too.

If you are travelling to the resort from the airport, then New York-New York is within Zone 2 of the fixed rate taxi fee from Harry Reid International Airport. So, expect to pay a flat fee of $26 plus tip.

If you’re arriving by car, you’ll find plenty of car parking on site which costs between $18 - $23 per night depending on which night you stay. It is free for MGM Rewards members who are Pearl level and above, though. 

With just over 50,000 square feet of gaming space, New York-New York has one of the smallest casino floors on the Las Vegas Strip. But it has more than enough character and atmosphere to make up for it.

As already mentioned, there is a lot to take in on this intensely themed casino floor. A circular centre bar features in the middle, with slots and table games all around it. They in turn are surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, themed lighting and signage to create this big hub of activity.

Live music emanates from several bars, the centre bar hosts weekend DJ sets, shoppers flock out of the Hershey’s store, while waitresses zoom around the casino floor serving drinks. One of my favourite things to do is sit at the Chocolate Martini bar and just take in all the sights and sounds of the New York-New York casino. 

Table Games Selection

There are just over 60 live table games at New York-New York which is a good number considering the limited space.

I found all the most popular games on offer – baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps and some poker pit games too.

Through the day I saw table minimums starting from $10 and $15, but many tables increased to $20 plus on the evening.

I played some $10 blackjack on a busy table and the dealer was lots of fun. The table and chairs had a little wear and tear but nothing that took away from the experience, they just looked well used.

The table I played at was 6:5 blackjack, but I did see some 3:2 blackjack for higher stakes. There was also some double deck blackjack in the high-limit area which was unfortunately a little over my budget.

Classic table games:

•    Blackjack
•    Roulette
•    Craps
•    Baccarat
 

Variants:

•    Pai Gow Poker
•    3 Card Poker
•    Ultimate Texas Hold’em
•    Crapless Craps
•    High Card Flush
•    Free Bet Blackjack
•    Let it Ride
•    Mississippi Stud

There is no poker room at New York-New York so you’ll have to go elsewhere on the Strip. Aria has probably the biggest poker room close-by.

If you prefer electronic table games over live table games then New York-New York does have a stadium style electronic gaming area with blackjack, baccarat and roulette. 
 

Slots

You’ll find around 1,000 slots in total at New York-New York, and generally they have a really good variety of games.

There is a small selection of traditional three-reel games, but the vast majority are modern video slots and they frequently have some of the most up-to-date game releases too.

I have always loved playing slots at New York-New York casino because of the atmosphere. Although the games are laid out close together, they are placed in banks rather than rows in most cases, so it’s a really comfortable place to play.

In my experience, the casino also plays great up-beat retro music and the waitress service is on-point, so I enjoy playing here whether I win or lose!

Some of the most well-known games available to play at New York-New York include:

·      Dragon Link
·      Huff n Even More Puff
·      Buffalo Link
·      Planet Moolah
·      Dancing Drums
·      Lighting Dollar Link
·      Mo Mummy
·      Frankenstein

I have had mixed luck at New York-New York on the slots over the years. However, my last two or three visits have been really lucky, getting some nice hits on Huff n Even More Puff Power 4 and Dragon Link Golden Century.

One game I never really play, but I probably should, is Wheel of Fortune. In 2024, a New York-New York player won a $572,660.58 jackpot on a $1.75 bet playing Wheel of Fortune Triple Red Hot 7s Gold Spin Slots!  

Bar-Top Gaming

Bar-top gaming is available at New York-New York in the Center bar. The bar is a really great place to hang out through the day, soak up the atmosphere and play some games.

The good news is, you’ll also get complimentary drinks while you play. Just pull up a chair, put your money in the machine and choose from a range of games such as video poker, keno, and a small slot selection.

The server will let you know when you’ve played enough to get a comped drink, and they’ll continue as long as you keep playing. Just remember to tip the server for their trouble, though..

Also, bear in mind, that on weekends and on special events such as gigs or Vegas Golden Knights games at the T-Mobile arena, the bar can get exceptionally busy and extremely loud too!
 

New York-New York Sportsbook

There is an MGM sportsbook at New York-New York, but to be completely honest, it’s not as big or as impressive as many others on the Las Vegas Strip.

Located to the northeast of the casino floor, the sportsbook has several small TV screens, a betting odds board, betting terminals and a counter to place bets. There is a small section of rowed seating too but it’s all a little cramped and dated.

If you want to place bets and watch sports at New York-New York, I would personally recommend placing the bets in the sportsbook but watching the game at Tom’s Watch Bar which is located directly next door. They have much bigger screens and more comfortable surroundings. 

Waitress Service

I have never experienced poor waitress service at New York-New York casino. I might have just been exceptionally lucky, but I’ve also heard similar from other players too so it can’t be a coincidence.

Waitresses circulate the casino floor asking gamblers if they’d like a complimentary drink. And as long as you keep tipping well, they usually come back often.

You can ask for beers, wines, spirits, basic cocktails, water and soft drinks. If you have a favourite drink then just ask and if they can make it, they will. My favourite is a Malibu Bay Breeze or an Angry Orchard cider.

Although waitress service varies depending on which casino you are at, in my personal opinion New York-New York waitress service is up there with the best in Las Vegas in terms of frequency.

High Limit Gaming at New York-New York Casino

There is a high-limit table games area and a high-limit slots area at New York-New York.

Situated close to the the cashier desk, both areas are quite small but contain high-stakes versions of popular games plus there’s a dedicated bar area with comfortable seating.

The high-limit table games area has mostly blackjack and some baccarat, while the slots area has some video poker and high denomination versions of popular slots such as Dragon Link and Huff n’ More Puff.

Although high-limit slots areas are for high-stakes player, you can usually find slots that can by played from $5 a spin. If this is within your range, then feel free to try out the high-limit slots area. It is often a quieter and more refined gaming experience and usually has good waitress service too.

Cash and Payment Options

As with almost all Las Vegas casinos, if you want to gamble you will need cash rather than card. For slots you insert cash into the slot machines, and for table games you hand cash to your dealer to get chips.

Slots in Las Vegas use a TITO system (Ticket In, Ticket Out) so when you withdraw winnings from a slot machine it will come out as a voucher. You then continue to use that voucher in other machines to keep playing or cash it out at a redemption machine on the casino floor.

With table games, when you’ve finished playing you cash out your chips at the cashier cage.  

Although it is possible to withdraw cash at the casino ATM’s, withdrawal fees can be up to $10, so be prepared to pay that on the casino floor. Generally, I just prefer to arrive at the casino with my cash already in hand.

⭐️ Quick Tip: In a legal online real money casino state? If so, and you want to use a virtual payment method, I do recommend checking out PayPal casino sites. These offer fast, hassle free deposits and withdrawals. 

New York-New York has just over 2,000 rooms and suites which were all remodelled in 2022 and 2023. The appeal of the resort is not only its location, but its reasonably priced rooms, good range of amenities and family-friendly attractions too.

New York-New York is dog-friendly, so if you want to bring along your canine companion with you, then you can. Dog-friendly rooms are available, but you must adhere to the rules and an additional charge of $50 per night per dog plus tax is payable.

New York-New York Rooms

The most basic rooms at New York-New York are the Soho King and Double Queen Rooms that are around 350 square feet.

The Soho Premier rooms increase to around 450 square feet and the range of suites goes from the Spa Suite at 500 square feet to the two-bedroom Penthouse Suite at 2600 square feet.

I recently stayed in a Soho King View and really enjoyed both the room and the view. With the remodelling, all the rooms at New York-New York look fresh.

The room décor resembled that of a cool New York loft apartment with minimal furniture, faux exposed-brick walls, bright feature wallpaper and a hint of accent colours like Big Apple Red and Taxicab Yellow to add to the New York feel.

The bathroom was small but well presented with a shower over the bathtub. There was a small open design wardrobe, a free-standing drinks/kitchenette stand, a TV unit with drawers, a table and two chairs. There were also bedside tables which included multiple electrical points and USB ports.

All the usual amenities were included such as hairdryer, iron/ironing board, bathroom toiletries, TV and a safe. The room was really comfortable and although it wasn’t particularly big, the modern design made it feel more high-end than it actually was.

I was lucky enough to get a corner room, so I had a fabulous view of both the South end of the Strip and MGM Grand opposite which all looked fabulous when lit up on a night.

Bars

New York-New York is the place to go if you like lively bars with atmosphere. Some of my favourite bars include:

•    Toms Watch Bar – Cool sports bar with outside patio and good food   
•    Centre Bar – casino bar with bar-top gaming and live DJ on weekends
•    Chocolate Bar – casino bar with flavoured martinis and chilled vibe 
•    Nine Fine Irishmen – Irish bar with patio, live music, sports and pub grub

The Bar at Times Square is also hugely popular with nightly Duelling Piano shows and sing-a-longs, as well as Coyote Ugly club upstairs with bar-top dancing and drink specials until the early hours.

Beerhaus is located on the outside of New York-New York with craft beers and pub games, while Pour 24 is a casual bar upstairs overlooking the casino floor.

Buffets and Restaurants

There isn’t a buffet at New York-New York but there are plenty of food choices. The main upscale restaurant is Gallaghers Steakhouse which is the sister restaurant to the original landmark in New York.

Other dining options include Gonzalez y Gonzalez for Mexican cuisine, Chin Chin for Asian food and Italian Restaurant Il Fornaio, I’ve eaten in all three and would recommend them all, my personal favourite dish is the Shrimp Toast at Chin Chin, it’s a must-try.

More casual food options are available at Nine Fine Irishmen, Tom’s Watch Bar, Beerhaus, Café America and Broadway Burger and Bar. Plus, the Village Street Eateries has a range of options including Greenburgs Deli for amazing sandwiches, Sirrico’s Pizza for a mouth-watering slice, Times Square hot dogs, and 48th and Crepe.

A food hall is also available upstairs offering a range of quick eats and there’s a Shake Shack just outside the door too.

Shows and Entertainment

The main attraction at New York-New York is the Big Apple Coaster. The cars are bright yellow and themed around New York taxi cabs and the coaster features a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive manoeuvre and a 203-foot drop.

Rides take place all day from 11am until midnight depending on weather conditions and are $25 per person. I’ve rode the Big Apple and it is much higher than it looks from outside, let me tell you!

There is also a Big Apple Arcade which is great for family fun, featuring video and arcade games and things like air-hockey and Skee-Ball.

Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil is the main show which is one of the more modern and quirkier Cirque shows with high-flying acrobatics, music, dance, and comedy. This is an adult-only show, so guests under 18 are not allowed entry.

If you enjoy live music, then Nine Fine Irishmen have regular bands on, plus the nightly Duelling Piano shows at the Bar at Times Square can get pretty wild. There are also regular bands on at the Brooklyn Bridge too as well as weekend DJ sets in Center Bar.
 

As a family-friendly resort, New York-New York does have a pool which is ideal, to a point, for relaxing on a hot Vegas day.

New York-New York Pool

There is only one pool at New York-New York but it is fairly big and is open daily from 9am until 7pm.

There are plenty of free day beds to lie out and there are also beds in the pool and umbrellas, both in the signature taxi cab yellow colour. You can also hire a private cabana if you want to make the day more special.

The pool stretches out over a good sized area with a fountain in the middle and a volleyball net. There is also a small hot tub, a pool bar and a hut selling pool essentials.  

Remember the ‘to a point’ from before? Well, although it is a generally relaxed area, the Big Apple Coaster does go around the pool area so you can frequently hear the squeals of roller coaster passengers as they pass by.

In terms of Las Vegas pools, New York-New York does not compare to the likes of Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Caesars Palace or MGM Grand in terms of size or style, but it is a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. 

Spa

There is no spa at New York-New York, but you can find spas at other nearby resorts such as MGM Grand, Park MGM, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, and Aria. If you have resort credit at NYNY, you can spend it at any MGM spa, so bear that in mind.

As an MGM resort, New York-New York is part of the MGM Rewards program.

MGM Rewards is largely considered to be one of, if not the, best rewards program in Las Vegas.

One of its key strengths is that it covers all MGM properties not only in Sin City, but worldwide, meaning you can earn and redeem loyalty points in multiple locations.

To sign up, just make your way to an MGM Rewards desk at any MGM property to complete a registration form. You’ll need to be at least 21 years old and have some photographic ID with you.

Once registered, use or present your card whenever you spend money in an MGM resort. If playing on the slots, insert it in the machine, if gambling at the tables, hand the card to your dealer.

But that’s not all, you can also earn points when purchasing food, drink, show tickets and shopping too.

The points you build up can be redeemed for various amenities, including against hotel costs, and freeplay, but you’ll also earn tier credits to help you climb the status tiers. These are as follows:

Sapphire (0 – 19,999 credits): access to complimentary rooms
Pearl (20,000 tier credits): as above with free self-parking and occasional complimentary concert tickets
Gold (75,000 tier credits): as above with zero resort fees and free room upgrades (where available)
Platinum (200,000 tier credits): as above with airline credit and priority lines
Noir (Invitation only): as above with guaranteed restaurant reservations

Should you join MGM Rewards?

I always recommend joining a resorts loyalty program, as it can lead to some great benefits.

MGM Rewards is one of the best and has that added bonus that you can earn points over several properties meaning you don’t feel restricted to one.

Even on the lowest level (Sapphire) you are entitled to perks such as free rooms and discounts, so its worth signing up even if you don’t intend to spend a lot of money.

You receive four tier credits for every dollar spent on rooms, food, drink and retail. Whereas points are awarded based on both how much money and how much time you spend gambling.

You can also track your progress, make bookings and see your benefits on the MGM app too.

The best way to take advantage of loyalty schemes is to remember to always show your card at every opportunity and don’t spend more than you intend to. That way, you will never be left out of pocket, but could receive some fabulous perks in return.

I’ve already admitted to basically falling in love with New York-New York from the minute I saw it. However, although I used to love visiting it, gambling there and eating there, it was years before I actually stayed there.

It’s fair to say that when all of the New York-New York rooms had a remodel in 22/23, it was much needed. I hadn’t heard great things about the rooms before that point and it was in need of some TLC by all accounts.

However, since the remodelling I have stayed there twice and had an excellent experience both times. Okay so the rooms aren’t particularly big but they are decorated really well and they have everything you need.

In terms of the casino, it is admittedly one of the smallest on the Strip, but personally I prioritise comfort and atmosphere over size any day. In fact, the intimate spacing can actually be an advantage as the huge casino floors can be intimidating and overwhelming to many.

New York-New York, for me, has a bit of everything without being too much of anything. It has great game variety in a manageable space, a wide food selection, casual and lively bars, top waitress service, good customer service and reasonably priced well-presented rooms.

The location is also a big plus in my books as it allows for easy transport to several other casinos making it ideal to explore the south end and centre of the Las Vegas Strip. I have also stayed here while going to see the Vegas Golden Knights and Madonna at the T-Mobile Arena and you can’t get a better positioned hotel for that.

In short, New York-New York is, without doubt, one of my absolute favourite casino  resorts in Las Vegas. In fact I might even go and book a stay there right now to be honest!