FAO Schwarz
add photosFAO Schwarz is one of the best toy stores in the world with multiple floors of kid fun. Dance on the "Big Piano" like in the movie Big and play to your heart's delight.
20 Reviews for FAO Schwarz
25
41 family found this helpful
"Nothing short of amazing!"
Probably the funnest and biggest toy store ever. This store beats TRU by a long shot and is just incredible. Plus, you get to play on the piano that was featured in Big! haha. Tons of fun. They really do have every single toy you could possibly dream up. Love the vintage Barbie section.
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0 families found this helpful
"Really enjoyable store"
We really enjoyed this store. There were at least four people who were displaying different types of toys. The displays are phenomenal and the sheer amount and variety of toys was amazing. I would suggest narrowing in on a particular type of toy before you go in the store so that you don't feel inundated. Easy to access location as well.
0 families found this helpful
"Love this store!"
I do believe for a child this is the best store on earth!! I love this place and hope to one day take my child to this store! This place is like being in the movies or in a dream! They have every toy that you can think of!! If you are looking for anything that has to do with kids, then you can go there and find it!
0 families found this helpful
"Huge!"
Biggest toy store we have ever been to! The kids will think they have died and gone to heaven. Even the adults enjoy wandering the store just to see all that they offer. Be prepared to buy something for the kids or endure the tantrums when it is time to leave. Could easily spend a couple hours here!
0 families found this helpful
"So much to see!"
We loved going to this toy store. There are so many things to see, and so many things to buy! :) Not that we did a ton of buying. One of a kind things, neat lego sculptures. This entertains kids for hours, you will have to drag them out of this store! Very fun to go to.
0 families found this helpful
"Oh my gosh"
This is my childhood right here. I hope they never, ever close. They have already changed alot since I was a child, I remember the big Teddy Ruxpin they used to have once you went up the escalator (which seemed tremendous when I was a kid) and the song just replays in my head like it was yesterday. I LOVE this place, and need to go back and visit. So what if I am 30 years old. If I ever have kids, you'd better believe I will be taking them to F.A.O. Schwarz!!! Hopefully they won't want to buy any toys because it is pricey. :)
0 families found this helpful
"Got to stop"
What a fun place FAO Schwarz is! Your trip to the city is not complete without a stop here. There is a lovely selection of dolls. There are amazing legos. Of course the large piano (from BIG) has to be played upon. As the doorman greets you with a friendly smile the kid in you will come out to play and you'll know you are in for a real treat.
'11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Just an exciting toy store."
As far as toy stores go, I don't like FAO Schwartz. It's crowded and does not offer the same variety of toys that I'm accustomed too. However, if you are shopping for high-end toys with high price tags, you're in the perfect place.
We go to FAO to play. Our son loves the giant piano, the playmobil center, the trains and the stuffed animals. I like buying educational toys rather than dolls or action figures, so I have a hard time purchasing here.
Be sure to look up at the ceiling in the foyer with its ever-changing colored lights and take a picture with the "toy soldier" at the door on your way in or out.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun for all ages!"
This is the Mecca of toy stores! There are tons of little themed areas (Barbie, baby doll hospital) and a wonderful candy shop. The sentires outside are very sweet & will pose for photos. The employees truly dress & act the part - I have run into Babie there, as well as a "nurse" who spent literally 45 minutes with my daughter, helping her adopt a baby in the nursery! Even if you don't buy anything, you can spend hours just browsing & having some hands-on fun!
A trick...skip the front entrance, which can tend to have lengthy lines, and go in through the side door. A downside to this - you won't be able to take a photo with the sentry, but it is a worthy time-saver!
0 families found this helpful
"FAO Schwarz"
All of the FAO Schwarz I know have closed down except for the one in New York. I had to go there with my husband and my 13 month old daughter so they can experience a high end toy store. They moved the store from where I used to go. It's still a great toy store, they have a muppets area, a big piano area, I loved the dress up area for girls, they have a legos area for boys, etc... You have to go there to see what I'm talking about.
1 family found this helpful
"Just amazing"
If you come here with kids (or even without), I suggest coming without your credit cards or money! :) This place is amazing, just wall-to-wall full of amazing toys and games and things that you never knew existed but now are pretty much sure you can't live without. We had so much fun shopping here!
When you're done seeing all that the store has to offer, visit the cafe for a decadent dessert. It's a visit that you'll remember forever!
0 families found this helpful
"Santa Land"
Upon entering, we felt we were in Santa Land. At that time, they had all the creatures from the Harry Potter movies displayed at the entrance of the store. We had never seen anything like that. My daughters and I spent so much time in the store.... We could not leave. We ended up buying some toys. I am pretty strict about not buying too much toys but I did not want them to leave that beautiful store empty handed.
0 families found this helpful
"A lot of fun to visit!"
This store is so much fun to visit, walk through, have your little ones jump about on the piano from the movie BIG, and have a great time wasting an hour or two looking at games, toys, etc. However, if you know you're going to get suckered into buying something, beware, as their prices are pretty high, more for the touristy aspect than the value!
1 family found this helpful
"interactive toy store"
In terms of a selection there is not much more here than in other toy store...however you go for the atmosphere of thinking it is different. The layout leaves the kids thinking there is endless toys here. Also they usually have employees demonstrating different toys and there are many interactive displays. The piano is great. They have several shows daily where the pros will dance for you and then the kids get to line up for their turn with the bustle of NYC through the window below them. It is magical. If you go around Christmas or right after be prepared to wait in line outside just to get in.
1 family found this helpful
"You have to go"
Your kids eyes will be as big as saucers and so will yours! There is so much to see and play with! I love FAO because they have things you can actually touch and play with. There is somethng for everyone...and if you are actually going to shop there is something for all budgets and styles.
2 families found this helpful
"The best toy store!"
Our kids loved FAO Schwarz so much! Allow lots of time for exploring. The kids may have to wait in a short line for a few things like the big floor piano. There are so many toys here that you can't find anywhere else plus lots of favorites, too. My son loved the create your own Hot Wheels car station, it was a little pricey.
This store is a nice stop when you've been walking for a while and need to be inside for a while.
1 family found this helpful
"A-MAZING!"
I always dreamed as a child of going to NY and going to FAO Schwarz!!! When I had a child of my own I just had to go! Its even better than on tv and th movies, the piano is the coolest! So many of the neatest toys anything you could think of!~ its really better than our trip to disney!! I went during christmas as well and it was ever bigger better andd cooler lol! I spent a ton of $$$ that day lol
1 family found this helpful
"Toys Galore"
This is the best toy store in the city. From the toy soldiers that open the door for you to the Steif life-size animals that line the display near the escalator all kids are in heaven. My daughter loved visiting with the stuffed animals on the first floor and we made personalized bracelets there as well. This is a great place to bring your kids and make sure to stay for the big piano performance!!
1 family found this helpful
"Toy Wonderland"
Definitely a place where kid's toy dreams come true! Everything is over the top. Supersized everything! A great place to try out new toys. If you are on a budget, set one with your children, plus a time limit, before you enter those inviting doors. You want happy kids leaving after a magical treat, rather than having to deal with a tantrum for not getting a coveted toy!
1 family found this helpful
"The best toy store ever"
FAO Schwarz is iconic. If you ever saw the movie Big, then you remember Tom Hanks jumping around on the huge keyboard. If you visit this store, you can be Tom Hanks. Well, not a famous actor, but a person who gets to play a giant floor keyboard. This a multi-level store that offers standard favorites like Barbie and Matchbox as well as one of kind FAO originals. There are huge stuffed animals that are unbelievable. Last time I went they had enormous ones that were themed after the Harry Potter series. Nothing like seeing a-larger-than-life stuffed Hippogriff. There are plenty of hands-on things for kids to do here as well as staff members who walk around giving demonstrations. I like that this truly a unique experience. I was saddened to learn that they were purchased by Toys R Us. I hope they leave it alone and don't try to turn it into a bland toy store that could be found in any town, anywhere.
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