(Although some of the lavishly themed casino-hotels are as whimsical and immersive as any theme park.) The following coasters remain, however, from the family-friendly era. But visitors weren't really looking for Disney World plus gambling, and the city more or less abandoned its outreach to underage guests. The New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is known for a very special on-site attractionthe Big Apple Coastera rollercoaster that travels over 67mph and features twists, dives, and a 144-foot (44-meter) drop. In the 1990s, Vegas flirted with theme parks as it attempted to tweak its image and attract more of a family audience.

It closed in 2011 along with the famed hotel-casino. You could have boarded Speed- The Ride, a launched NASCAR-themed ride that began inside the Sahara and barreled through its famed neon sign. The coaster (along with the entire park) closed in 2000, a mere seven years after it opened. The MGM Grand, for example, offered the indoor coaster, Lightning Bolt, at its MGM Grand Adventures theme park. Boasting a 150-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty, New York New York features a state-of-the-art casino, a 180-degree adrenaline-pumping roller coaster, live entertainment and numerous restaurants on site. There used to be more thrill machines along the famed Strip. It is less known for its roller coasters, but there are a few, and they complement the city's 'adult playground' reputation (with an emphasis on “playground”). Las Vegas is known for many things: gambling, showgirls, Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas, outrageous buffets, and naughty behavior, to name just a few.

New york casino roller coaster