American Girl Place, NYC

[tjmw2727]

Who has been, what should we do, what should we skip?

Taking my dd's 11 and 9 for a day trip, possibly overnight and have tickets for the Theater at AG but as of yet I can't get a cafe reservation.

What other things are good to do at AGP or nearby? Is the cafe great and should I keep trying or is there something else as good or better for tweens and mom?

Open to any and all suggestions fun for the three of us especially things dh won't want to do.

We will be returning to the city during the summer with DH for a longer time to do more sightseeing so this is just a quick girls trip.
TIA
TJ

 

[kimisabella]

Who has been, what should we do, what should we skip?

Taking my dd's 11 and 9 for a day trip, possibly overnight and have tickets for the Theater at AG but as of yet I can't get a cafe reservation.

What other things are good to do at AGP or nearby? Is the cafe great and should I keep trying or is there something else as good or better for tweens and mom?

Open to any and all suggestions fun for the three of us especially things dh won't want to do.

We will be returning to the city during the summer with DH for a longer time to do more sightseeing so this is just a quick girls trip.
TIA
TJ

We've been several times, all days trips since we live on LI... We've never been to the show. The cafe is REALLY cute and well worth the money. We've been there twice. I know I had to call about 4 months in advance to get a reservation for my dd's birthday. Definatley keep trying, it is well worth it. The AG Place is right near Rockerefeller Center, and lots of shopping and The World of Disney Store and the huge Build A Bear store are within walking distance.

 

[Kimberle]

We've been there many times. It's really just a big store stuffed with AG things. We've never eaten at the cafe. There is a TGIF not to far that's pretty good if you want a light meal. It you want to see a show, head over to the TKTS booth in times square. You'll not find every show, but there's usually a good selection. Just remember, cash only. You could do the backstage tour at Radio City.

 

[Octoberbeauty]

We've been several times, all days trips since we live on LI... We've never been to the show. The cafe is REALLY cute and well worth the money. We've been there twice. I know I had to call about 4 months in advance to get a reservation for my dd's birthday. Definatley keep trying, it is well worth it. The AG Place is right near Rockerefeller Center, and lots of shopping and The World of Disney Store and the huge Build A Bear store are within walking distance.

An American Girl Store, A Disney Store, and a Build a Bear store within walking distance of each other??? Sounds like my inner-child, shopping obsession, heaven to me!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I agree with kimisabella, the cafe is very nice. You get hair twistys around your napkin, very cute. If you can spill something....do it. We all got extra napkins, so double the hair ties! My DD was 5 and got a lovely glass of pink lemonade in a water goblet type glass. I should have asked for a new cup but I didn't want to embarass her in front of her older cousin.

The store is adorable. My DD and her cousins had the dolls' hair done. It was cute, a complete waste of money, but cute.

Great tourist location so there is lots to see and do! Enjoy the trip.

 

[mcnuss]

We've been in NYC twice and Chicago twice. We saw the show in Chicago when DD was 8. She LOVED it. We've done brunch, tea & lunch at the cafes - also all worth it. We've also done the hair salon - not so worth it. The "do" fell out within 10 minutes. It's a fun place, just do not go during any holiday period. Too crowded! If you can't go to the cafe, please oh please eat at a real NY restaurant. If it's warm outside, there's Cafe St. Bart's which is outdoors right at St. Bartholomew’s Church (50th & Park). DD and I LOVE to go to Grand Central to eat. We have eaten twice at Metrazur which is on the mezzanine. If your DD's are not picky eaters, they will be fine. You can sit up there and watch the hustle & bustle of the station. It's a blast. You could also walk over to Times Square and eat at Ollies which is a huge Chinese place, very loud and very kid friendly. We love the food there - plus it's cheap! If you let me know a) what you like to eat b) time of year you're going and c) price range for meals, I can probably help you more.

 

[mcnuss]

Oh yeah, I forgot. We ALWAYS go to Bloomingdales and then to Dylans. My DH won't go near either place but tweens will love both.

 

[Bunchkin]

Haven't been to the one in NYC but we have been to AGP Chicago many, many times!!

Theatre is great! And we have done the cafe for brunch, lunch, tea and dinner, as well as several different events.
The food is of good quality and the service is as well. I'm sure this extends to all stores. The atmospere is wonderful and the attention they give is too.

I'm sure you AND your DD's will have a wonderful time. Don't forget to have them bring their dolls, if they have one, they can sit with them at the cafe in little doll sized booster seats that hook to the end of the table. And if they don't have a doll they can borrow one from the store.

Have a great time!!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks all, we will bring the dolls for sure and it sounds like enough shopping to keep us busy! Will we be near the big TRU with the ferris wheel?

As for dinner or even late lunch, I was hoping for something different, not the ole appleby's fridays type thing that you can do anywhere. Any suggestions on something different or unique? Someone else on another post suggested Ellens Diner and we may try that. I will keep calling for a Cafe cancellation just in case.

We are going the week after Easter so I am sure it will be very busy but we will just have to deal! Kids have school off and dh is traveling so I thought we would have some "girl time".

Thanks -
TJ

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

What do most girls wear to the AG Cafe for Lunch? My DD just turned 11 and we plan to do this on our summer trip. I hope she is not the oldest there.

 

[mcnuss]

What do most girls wear to the AG Cafe for Lunch? My DD just turned 11 and we plan to do this on our summer trip. I hope she is not the oldest there.

She will not be. Mine was 10.5 the last time we went and there were girls that age. What boggles me are the people who bring their toddlers to the Cafe. It is totally lost on them.

DD wore a skirt & sweater when we went. Most girls were dressed nicely. It was wonderful to see.

Any s

uggestions on something different or unique? Someone else on another post suggested Ellens Diner...

I think I gave my recommendations already - if you want unique, go to Metrazur. Grand Central is so memorable! Ellen's is fun, but at the end of the day, it's a place to order grilled cheese! It would not be my first choice for a special day. One thought is to go to tea instead of lunch - that would be special and very memorable. You could go to the Pierre or the Four Seasons (both very close to AGP, and the Plaza is closed, sadly, or that would be the place..). Another thought is to take a ride to the Boat House in Central Park for lunch. If it's a beautiful day, you won't be able to give them a more special NYC experience. http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/food/menu-lakeside.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

She will not be. Mine was 10.5 the last time we went and there were girls that age. What boggles me are the people who bring their toddlers to the Cafe. It is totally lost on them.

DD wore a skirt & sweater when we went. Most girls were dressed nicely. It was wonderful to see.

Any s

I think I gave my recommendations already - if you want unique, go to Metrazur. Grand Central is so memorable! Ellen's is fun, but at the end of the day, it's a place to order grilled cheese! It would not be my first choice for a special day. One thought is to go to tea instead of lunch - that would be special and very memorable. You could go to the Pierre or the Four Seasons (both very close to AGP, and the Plaza is closed, sadly, or that would be the place..). Another thought is to take a ride to the Boat House in Central Park for lunch. If it's a beautiful day, you won't be able to give them a more special NYC experience. http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/food/menu-lakeside.htm

Wow - thanks, I think I missed your ideas the first time - sorry. We are going late April so hopefully it will be a nice day for walking and sightseeing.

TJ

 

[SamRoc]

What do most girls wear to the AG Cafe for Lunch? My DD just turned 11 and we plan to do this on our summer trip. I hope she is not the oldest there.

Alot of the girls that come to the cafe dressed like their dolls or just wear the hats like their dolls. The Cafe is so cute because it has high chairs for the girls to bring their dolls and sit next to them. I am a proud mommy of one of the girls who was in the American Girl Revue. My dd played Molly and Kirsten in the NYC cast for over a year and had a great experience.

 

[mcr5298]

What boggles me are the people who bring their toddlers to the Cafe.

You must have read my mind!

Now I am not bashing the American Girl dolls or the store or the cafe. I'm just in a sticky situation right now. My niece is 6 1/2 and just got her first AG doll for Christmas. I might add that my niece is very spoiled, and a big brat. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter who still draws on her own dolls. My Aunt lives in Manhattan and has made reservations at the cafe for my niece, her sister (who will only be 3 this April) and my daughter. I guess that my Aunt does not want to leave my daughter and younger niece out. It's a nice jesture and all, and I don't want to offend my Aunt. But I don't want to have to tell my daughter no when she asks for a doll. She is just too young, and would not appreciate it. Plus it would be way too expensive to pay for a doll that would get drawn on! Maybe there will be a little doll or something that I can get for her.

Just remember, cash only.

Is this true? For the cafe or the store, or both?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

She will not be. Mine was 10.5 the last time we went and there were girls that age. What boggles me are the people who bring their toddlers to the Cafe. It is totally lost on them.

DD wore a skirt & sweater when we went. Most girls were dressed nicely. It was wonderful to see.

Alot of the girls that come to the cafe dressed like their dolls or just wear the hats like their dolls. The Cafe is so cute because it has high chairs for the girls to bring their dolls and sit next to them. I am a proud mommy of one of the girls who was in the American Girl Revue. My dd played Molly and Kirsten in the NYC cast for over a year and had a great experience

Thanks! This is what I was hoping to hear. I think she was about 7 or 8 before she got an AG doll and she really appreciates them.

Cool SamRoc! Do you have any pics you could share.

I guess I need to call and get a reservation. We are going late July. Have several days to play around with at least. I think we are going to let DH and DS go to a Mets day game that weekend while we go to AG place.

 

[SamRoc]

Cool SamRoc! Do you have any pics you could share.

I would love to share pics but I don't have any from when my dd was onstage! They never let us take pictures, thats the way it is in most theaters. The girls were on TV a few times, Fox 5, NBC (they made a Katie Couric doll) I have some pics of the girls signing autographs after the show, but will have to ask the other moms first for permission to post them. Have a great time in July at the AG store.

 

[Kimberle]

Is this true? For the cafe or the store, or both?

For the tkts booth (Broadway show tickets).