NYC American Girl area info

[disneydreamersx4]

I never recommend driving in the city, I find it to be a huge hassle.

I'm not sure where the ferry lets you off, but if you take the PATH to 33rd St you can transfer there to the B, D, or F subway line. Go uptown 2 stops to the 47th-50th St/Rockfellar Center stop, then walk 1 block east to 5th Ave. AG Place is at 5th Ave & 49th St.

what ferry are you talking about? tia

 

[rileysmommy]

I never recommend driving in the city, I find it to be a huge hassle.

I'm not sure where the ferry lets you off, but if you take the PATH to 33rd St you can transfer there to the B, D, or F subway line. Go uptown 2 stops to the 47th-50th St/Rockfellar Center stop, then walk 1 block east to 5th Ave. AG Place is at 5th Ave & 49th St.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! That is exactly the information I was looking for and nobody could ever seem to tell me. And if we take the PATH, we have to make a stop at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken. Thanks again so much!!! Now to start saving some money.

 

[Janepod]

Are you talking about the regular MTA Staten Island ferry? That runs 365 days a year - and it's free!

The other ferries (like Circle Line), I have no idea.

 

[disneydreamersx4]

yes the MTA one, thank you so much for that info

 

[talulabelle]

My kids LOVED the ferris wheel. There was no line at all when we went on a weekday. Funny how you get different info here. If someone goes during a time with a long line - they say "don't go , it's a waste of time". Yet that is what MADE the trip for my kids. If she wants to do it, it is definately worth the try.

You said you couldn't get a lunch reservation at AG - when you are there, still go and ask if they have openings. We did this, and there is almost always someone who doesn't show for a ressie....Esp. if it is just the 2 of you - they should be able to fit you in. They have set seating times- so find out when those are and show up at that time...if someone doesn't show- they will seat you. It really is a nice experience for a little girl (little pricey for a lunch, but worth it in my opinion. They will even seat her AG doll and serve the doll with tiny dishes.

Have fun!

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! That is exactly the information I was looking for and nobody could ever seem to tell me. And if we take the PATH, we have to make a stop at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken. Thanks again so much!!! Now to start saving some money.

If you don't want to drive into the city, take a bus to Port Authority at the North Bergen Park and Ride - very easy. Then you just walk to Times Square. My mom likes to take my kids to Broadway shows, and even though she doesn't mind driving into the city (neither do I), she prefers doing this. DH actually commuted for 15+ years and did this daily.

As for eating, how about John's pizza? I can't imagine going to NYC, and eating at a chain restaurant.

 

[talulabelle]

If you don't want to drive into the city, take a bus to Port Authority at the North Bergen Park and Ride - very easy. Then you just walk to Times Square. My mom likes to take my kids to Broadway shows, and even though she doesn't mind driving into the city (neither do I), she prefers doing this. DH actually commuted for 15+ years and did this daily.

As for eating, how about John's pizza? I can't imagine going to NYC, and eating at a chain restaurant.

I agree about not eating at a chain restaurant. Where is John's Pizza? We may have to try it next time we are in the city.

 

[NMW]

When we took our daughter to AM Girl in NYC last May we ate lunch at Planet Hollywood in Times Square-her pick not mine. We all enjoyed our food, but it was not inexpensive-about $150 for the 5 of us. DH and I did order alcohol however.

There is a TGI FRidays almost directly across the stree from the AM Girl store that we have eaten at (also my DD's choice). Another time we had our sons with us and ate lunch at ESPN in Times Square, but I've heard that it's closed now. Next time we plan to try one of the Irish pubs near Times Square. I forget the name of it at the moment, but friends reccomended it to us.

 

[NMW]

oh and st.patricks is right there too, that is another free thing to do while in the area.

We always go into St Pat's when we go to AM Girl-such a beautiful church!

 

[Sagginit]

if you are in hoboken they also have busses that run down washington st where carlos bakery is. that will take you into port authority 42nd st. from there you can take the E to 53rd & 5th 3 blocks from AG.

also depending on where you go check the MTA site for subway alerts, they are doing lots of construction and therefore lots of changes in schedules. you dont want to get on a subway to find you are going somewhere different than thought!

 

[Kitzka]

when you exit the Amer Girl store, most people go left back onto 5th. If you go left there is a little diner on the same side of the street.

Also, there is a pop burger over by FAO Schwartz.

lara

 

[SanFranciscan]

I have certainly been enjoying this thread, but I am a 48 year old with no children. How many people who take the trips y'all have described here are childless adults? Maybe it is no weirder than going to Disney World without children. I love dolls too.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I have certainly been enjoying this thread, but I am a 48 year old with no children. How many people who take the trips y'all have described here are childless adults? Maybe it is no weirder than going to Disney World without children. I love dolls too.

New York is awesome for anyone! I say go for it, and if you want to do American Girl store too as far as I'm concerned there's nothing stopping you!

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

idk how old she is but if you need a place in times square to eat ellen stardust is pretty good and theres a dave and busters right by the wax museum

 

[scootch]

Another great souvenier at American Girl is the photo where they put your dd on the cover ofthe mag. They aresome of the best pictures my girls have ever taken. If you do the hair salon(you can get dolls ears pierced), go very early. We are going to NYC on the 11th and will hit the salon first thing. I do think Lunch/dinner is a great "experience", one my dd's still talk about. The foodwas just ok, but the whole experience was so worth it.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I was looking for books about San Diego at the library yesterday and found a book about New York that I think would interest the readers of this thread. It is called "New York's 50 Best Places To Take Children." It does include a couple of pages about American Girl but gives a listing of the child-friendly attractions by neighborhood in the back of the book.

 

[kacaju]

We were just in NYC today. We went to see the King Tut exhibit. There is a Disney Store opening up on Nov 9th in Times Square!!
We drove to Jersey City and took the Path over to 33rd Street. Walked up to 44th Street. It was not a bad walk at all. The kids enjoyed it.
We saw many places just beginning to put up their Christmas decorations.

 

[scootch]

We were just in NYC today. We went to see the King Tut exhibit. There is a Disney Store opening up on Nov 9th in Times Square!!
We drove to Jersey City and took the Path over to 33rd Street. Walked up to 44th Street. It was not a bad walk at all. The kids enjoyed it.
We saw many places just beginning to put up their Christmas decorations.

Thanks for the update... we get there the 11th and I am so excited about the disney store. Having gone to wdw for 11 straight novembers and not going now, feel like I will get a smidge of disney magic!

 

[kacaju]

Thanks for the update... we get there the 11th and I am so excited about the disney store. Having gone to wdw for 11 straight novembers and not going now, feel like I will get a smidge of disney magic!

Good for you!! My dd10 was disappointed. My older two went into the forever 21 store that is right next to the Disney store, so I told the 10 year we'd go to the Disney store.Got to the doors and there was a sign saying they opened on the 9th.
Missed it by a week!!

 

[Grammyof2]

OP here. Our trip was yesterday in the rain. We had a great time!

Coming from south Jersey we took the turnpike up and caught the ferry into NYC at the Imperial pier and the buses were included to get around.

American Girl was great and fairly crowded for a weekday. We did get a personal shopper which was a bonus and free.

Saw Central Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, NBC studios, M&M store, Hershey's store, tons of window shopping down 5th Avenue, FAO toy store, had lunch at John's Pizza, hot chocolate from Magnolia Bakery, heard some performers outside of Carnegie Hall and just enjoyed the city. Never stepped inside TRU even though it was on our list. The rain came in spurts and seemed it poured every time we stepped on the streets.

Will definitely do it again. Thanks for all the tips