American Girl Store - Chicago vs. Atlanta

[leagirl12]

We are planning a trip to Wisconsin Dells this summer and are thinking of making a stop in Chicago on the way. We have been to the Atlanta store as we only live 2 hrs away. I was thinking the Chicago store may be bigger and have more things so I was going to plan some time to take DD there while in Chicago. Has anyone been to both Chicago and Atlanta? Is there a big difference? Is it worth adding to our trip?

 

[tinkercat]

I haven't been to the Atlanta store, but I have been to the Chicago store twice. I'm pretty sure the Atlanta store is much smaller, as it is one of the bistro locations. Chicago is one of the flagship stores and it is huge. 2 stories...with the restaurant, salon, t-shirt making area, photo studio, etc. It is awesome (and this is my opinion as an adult, my DD's were in AG heaven!).

If you can fit it into the trip and your girls are into AG, I'd do it.

 

[southern_redhead]

We've done both. Do Chicago. It is much bigger, much more "magical". When you walk in Chicago your jaw hits the floor, in ATL it is just another mall store. Very cramped, cute but just not an "experience" like Chicago.

Also, little known secret - hit the outlet in OshKosh while on your Dells trip. It isn't an "experience" by any means but you can get some AWESOME deals there. DD got Licorice the cat for $6, a pet care set for $6, outfits for $10-$14, a Samantha gown for $14, a robe for $12......much more. Take time for that, I want another Wisconsin trip just to do the outlet again

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

Chicago is our plan for DDs 7th birthday in November. It will be her first trip to the AG store, as well as her 1st AG doll. I'm excited and hopefully she will be too.

 

[ampc3]

been to both as well, and there is no comparison. Chicago store is WAY better and MUCH bigger! However with that being said, would I add a stop in Chicago JUST for that? no.. But if you are going to be there anyway then for sure. Plus Chicago is one of the BEST cities in the world so much to do!

 

[leagirl12]

Also, little known secret - hit the outlet in OshKosh while on your Dells trip. It isn't an "experience" by any means but you can get some AWESOME deals there. DD got Licorice the cat for $6, a pet care set for $6, outfits for $10-$14, a Samantha gown for $14, a robe for $12......much more. Take time for that, I want another Wisconsin trip just to do the outlet again

Thanks for the tip.

 

[daughtersrus]

Also, little known secret - hit the outlet in OshKosh while on your Dells trip.

Just pointing out that OshKosh is pretty far from the Dells.
We've been to both Chicago and the outlet. We've found the outlet to be very hit or miss. The last few times that we were there, it was pretty much all girl size clothes and not much of anything for the dolls. If you decide to go, I would call ahead and see if it's worth the 4 hour drive (about 2 hours each way from the Dells)

 

[southern_redhead]

Just pointing out that OshKosh is pretty far from the Dells.
We've been to both Chicago and the outlet. We've found the outlet to be very hit or miss. The last few times that we were there, it was pretty much all girl size clothes and not much of anything for the dolls. If you decide to go, I would call ahead and see if it's worth the 4 hour drive (about 2 hours each way from the Dells)

Hmm. Well, we've only been the once so I can't compare trips. I will say we would have been disappointed if we'd been searching for deals on everything, deals on current items, or (possibly) even if only looking for one thing. As it was we didn't even know it existed until we saw the sign going down the interstate so we went in with a pretty open mind. DD and I both started screaming "American Girl!! Pull off at that exit!!" DH nearly had a cow, he thought something horrible had happened LOL Now, for us it was a nice coincidence that the outlet was between Racine and Green Bay which was a trip we were making anyway. I knew it was further from the Dells but, not having spent much time in WI since childhood (and only Appleton/Green Bay then) I wouldn't venture a guess. Four hours sounds right, though. Also, there wasn't a lot else in the strip mall. DH took our boys to Nike but they were done in 10 minutes. So......yeah, maybe call if you won't be heading around that area anyway. For us, a return trip WOULD include the area because we'd be going to Green Bay so.....that's why I said I'd like a return trip But if you'll be near it totally check it out - if for no other reason then to say that you've "done the outlet"

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I've not been to Atlanta, but think it's one of the smaller stores. (We've been to the smaller bistros in Boston and Minneapolis, so I'll compare to that.)

As said, Chigago's store is much more magical. You walk in and it all opentwo stories tall (there is a second floor in the back, with the restaurant and a tshirt shop, doll hair studio).

Our favorite part, though, was each doll's time period had a full size display. There was a scene set up like you were looking into their house. (Items in there weren't just things they had for sale that matched what, say, Molly had for sale. It was a whole peek into the world of 1944, with all sorts of fun details to look at.) We really enjoyed those.

Many hotels in Chicago have AGpackages, as well. We got a heck of a deal at Four Points just a couple blocks away. Included parking, breakfastx2 ($20 gift card to the nice cafe next door), turn down cookie service and an AG bed to take home for $120 (I think it was.)

 

[Redheadmom]

I haven't been to Atlanta, but been to chicago 5 times. My daughter loves it. Had breakfast there one time. That was alot of fun.

Make sure you visit the outlet mall in the Dells, they have a Disney Store there. Sometimes you can get some good deals.

 

[Angry Eyes]

We have been to both. We went to Chicago first so our expectations of Atlanta were high. We were very disappointed and unimpressed in Atlanta. Definitely not worth an extra effort. Chicago on the other hand was amazing.

 

[J. Galt]

Not sure when you are going to the Dells, but in mid-July the Madison Children's Museum has its fundraiser (Madison isn't far from the Dells). They hold it in the American Girl warehouses and you can get most of the dolls and some select accessories at below retail prices (I want to say that the historical dolls were around $65 last year.... maybe someone else from the area has a better memory about it). They also have plenty of crafters with AG designed clothing/furniture, etc.... You can get information about it on the Children's Museum website. They sell timed entry tickets for about $5.