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(Now Closed)Toy Store and Candy Store
Midtown East, New York
232 Tips and reviews
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Nazila MathariJuly 11, 2015A legendary toy store and an iconic location. Sad to see it's closing its flagship store. Many memories and childhoods were shaped here. Bye toy soldiers and hope to see you soon at another location.
Mark OakleyAugust 21, 2014The 'Breakfast with a Toy Soldier' is great fun, even if you don't have kids! Get an early tour of the store, including the Big Piano and some free candy, the black cherry gummy bears are delicious!
Ailie ChangMay 17, 2015They have Dippin' Dots ice cream inside! Banana split is my favorite. Get strawberry sour belts from the candy section. Take a picture of yourself playing the big piano.
New York HabitatNovember 30, 2011It's the greatest toy store ever! Feel like a kid again and explore everything from the giant piano in the movie "Big" to aisles of humongous stuffed animals. Truly an NYC must-see.
CarolineOctober 9, 2015NYC's oldest toy store! The times from "Kevin home alone" are unfortunately over, the store is flooded with plastic toys and artificial sweets. One highlight is the big piano (take off shoes).
Social News NetworkMarch 31, 2013This place will make you feel like a kid again, one of the best toy stores you will ever find. Be sure to check out the giant Lego sculptures on the second floor.
Theodore KimNovember 1, 2014In case you're looking for it, the Big Piano (of Big movie fame) is in the way back of the store on the second floor. Be prepared to wait in a line to try it out.- Nate FolkertDecember 8, 2014there's a whole gallery of prints and paintings based on disney, starwars, and other favorites, if you still have any money
NYC: The Official GuideJuly 1, 2013Fun fact: FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in America, opened in 1862. Kids will absolutely love dancing on the supersize piano, just like Tom Hanks in the movie “Big.”
Steve KavetskyJune 15, 2013My two year old son's first time in FAO: He loved riding the escalator more than anything else - We must have gone up and down 10 times before a stuffed animal distracted him. :-)- Melting Hearts USA SunglassesMay 12, 2015Awesome store but definitely overwhelming!! Very busy and lots of things to do within the store! You can easily spend over an hour here!
Affinia Hotel CollectionJune 12, 2014Notably the most famous toy stores in the nation- and for good reason. Explore and feel like a kid again as you see all of your childhood favorites and all new crazes.
HarveeApril 2, 2012best toy shop in the world, anyway i remember it 10 years ago and it was way way way magical than now. but it's still a wonderfull place for the kids... and the bigger kids.
Katy VerhoevenSeptember 11, 2014Amazing toys, the big piano, custimized muppets dolls, you can even make your own racecar, many toys like they were built in the 40's, very awesome!!!- Affinia Hotel CollectionJune 13, 2014FAO is a sprawling, world-famous NYC attraction for kids and adults to play, dream and see all their favorite toys come to life.
Erich StarrettApril 27, 2012Make sure that ALL of the accessories are in the box before leaving! My daughter's Penelope puppy was missing the bag of "puppy vet parts" and I had to take the train back to NYC to get them!
- Nate FolkertDecember 8, 2014big piano is free, but souvenir photo packs (which are posed in front of a green screen) are like $15-$25
City of New YorkJanuary 13, 2014Home to the famous BIG Piano Dance Mat, a smaller replica of the in-store piano featured in the Tom Hanks film BIG (1988).
D'Agostino SupermarketsJanuary 31, 2012FAO Schwarz is 150 years old, and established themselves in Manhattan in 1870. They are known for their world famous toys, one of them being a $50,000 toy Ferrari! Talk about luxurious toys!
The Negotiation Institute (TNI)May 23, 2012The most difficult skill to master as a parent is 'the art of negotiating' with your child, especially when inside the toy mecca that is FAO Schwarz. FACT: children are naturally skilled negotiators.
_November 6, 2014So much to do and so much to see here! There is something for everyone here no matter what age!
New York Hilton MidtownJanuary 9, 2012Check out the free, daily storytime. Features a wide array of books for all ages, including sing-alongs, multicultural travel adventures, fairytales, and pirate tales. - Jonathan / Marketing Dept.
Many toy demonstrations on the weekends. BIG Piano open all day every day. Come on the weekends for a piano show every half hour or during the week to test your own mettle.- Nate FolkertDecember 8, 2014during the christmas season there's a huge line to get in, but if you have a child in a stroller you can cut at the front
Miguel de LeonJuly 23, 2012Pro tip: head to FAO before Toys R Us even though they're owned by the same people. FAO will have most if not all of their stuff at MSRP; Toys R Us will have a 10%ish markup
Townley GirlAugust 3, 2011It's like the Disneyland of toys! From gadgets to gizmos to dolls, your little boy or girl will love every second spent in the store. Sadly, your wallet might not enjoy the trip as much!
Movie MayorOctober 30, 2010In 1988's "BIG" Tom Hanks encounters his boss wondering the aisles of FAO Schwartz. Together, they hop on the oversized piano and tap out "Heart & Soul" and "Chopsticks" to the delight of the crowd Read more
Charles PhotoframdDecember 15, 2013FAO continues their sell-out tradition by turning their main floor into a promotion for the new flick Walking with Dinosaurs.
Pablo DDJuly 12, 2015Great place but little sad and empty now as they are closing. Hope FAO reopens soon!
travel42August 31, 2011Two words: Big. Piano. Take your shoes off and put those piano lessons to use. If you really love it (which you will), you can take one home for $250,000!
Diego RufoApril 5, 2011An astonishing variety of toys. Inside the store, you’ll find and play the big floor piano Tom Hanks played in "Big" and also you’ll find the official Harry Potter Store. Read more
FabioNovember 15, 2013U cant come here 1 million times...... Its always amazing. And its also in one of my favs corner in t city.
PSU-Lion DiJune 29, 2013Smashed Penny machine on 2nd floor next to Lego. Nearby cashier will make change for you. ;)
Carmen NJuly 6, 2015It's a classic NYC institution and I hope they find a new space with a good vibe.
DoraJuly 23, 2010Hop across the ivories of the famous piano dance mat on the second floor. Tell the pros who perform that it’s your kid’s birthday and they’ll tap out Happy Birthday!Powered by ParentsConnect.com
CompassMay 16, 2014Every child’s dreams of playing on that life-size piano, but walking around FAO Schwarz will fill every heart with joy.
2Plus2NYCReviewDecember 28, 2011Get there early to get a pic. on the "BIG" piano. Or just stop in and walk around. Not sure if I ever bought anything here. But it's NYC!! Read more
Barefoot Books on the second floor has amazing books for kids and daily story time (plus kids story yoga twice a week via Little Flower Yoga).
Cathy CaltabianoFebruary 22, 2014Loved this place. Great staff, love the lay out, much better experience then Toys R Us.- Nate FolkertDecember 8, 2014calico critter buildings and furniture are actually not insanely priced - they burn you when you go to buy the critters themselves
DmtrMay 9, 2015Definitely see the Marbles brain store. The most amazing toy store ever -- I felt like a child.
DianneAugust 25, 2013I enjoyed the store. And their selection of Monster High dolls, was just was just what my 9 year old was looking for.
You may wanna get here as soon as it opens to get a standing ovation from the employees (ME!) lol and to avoid massive crowds and lines :)
James PittmanDecember 14, 2014Definitely go upstairs. You will find the big piano and a huge selection of toys.
Danny PaganSeptember 4, 2011It's the same toy store from "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York". Cool place to visit but they employ the "fun police" and take away from the overall experience.
Allison FixSeptember 27, 2010Come early when the store opens. It's not quite as busy then and the staff really makes it "a big deal" when the store opens. Can't wait to bring my son here when he's old enough!
Harley AcresJune 4, 2012I thought the action figure selection was awfully small, but seeing some of the doll house furniture, stuffed animals and tons and tons of Lego items was pretty cool.
Chelsea CarterJanuary 18, 2012The giant piano get crazy crowded, so check out the life-sized lego characters on the second floor for a great photo opp.
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Thu, Sun
- 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
(212) 644-9400
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- 7.2
"Most "kid-friendly" store for blocks. Loaded with toys and not adult-style accessories. Very helpful staff."
Seamus - 8.7
"Amazing selection of collectables, sensory overload indeed!"
Yarin L - 9.0
"Super friendly staff. Clean and well-organized store with great Lego sculptures. I must get all the LEGO sets...ever...always."
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- 9.0
"Loved the cube. Great looking store with great staff. Was served very quickly on a busy Saturday afternoon."
Paul G - 9.1
"Authentic keys are adorable, so are the rings, earings and other peaces of jewellery...you just can't do anything but fall in love with all of them💙💎"
Valeria Votolevskaya - 9.1
"Dinner at Alfredo Italian resto accross the street is wonderful. Delicious pasta and good service."
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