FAO Schwarz
FAO Schwarz
4.5
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Temporarily Closed A visit to FAO Schwarz is an experience unlike any other. You are at the center of the story. An adventure larger-than-life that sparks the imagination in all of us awaits every time you step through our doors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit—spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's heaven where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit the Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
- 47–50 Sts – Rockefeller Center • 3 min walk
- 5th Ave / 53rd St • 5 min walk
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Best nearby
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2,884 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,654 reviews
Excellent
934
Very good
483
Average
161
Poor
43
Terrible
34
Gary M
Pensacola, FL46 contributions
May 2022
I would not trust this company with my business again. Vistiing this store in early May and they had demonstrations and huge stack of drones for sale. I bought one and paid good amount for delivery for my nephews birthday present . After 3 weeks with no delivery I called the main line to inquire. Customer service said there is " Nothing we can do" but give you an email address to send your concern to. I asked for the NY Rockerfeller store number and they said they are " not allowed" to give that number out. So as told - I sent an email. No one ever responded to the email. Needless to say - the gift missed his birthday. I did several other NYC shopping items while visiting the city- with no delivery issues at all. Even on clothing items that had to take time with alterations. Their customer service is seriously lacking and would not shop here again.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FortyForkFun
Oakville, Canada259 contributions
June 2024 • Family
Visiting this massive toy store is a must, especially since many films have been shot there. It is indeed a spectacle, with each toy station featuring demonstrations by employees. You might see a flying drone or a mini magic show. However, the prices are so high that it's hard to justify buying anything. Even by NYC standards, this toy store is exorbitant; for instance, a baby doll starts at $100 USD.
Written 14 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike I
1 contribution
July 2024 • Family
Do not buy any of the magic items. Zorbi is a piece of cheap plastic which comes with some putty and a string. Ours was even missing the string so we bought a piece of plastic for $25! The $15 glider flies no better than a paper airplane. This store is nothing like it was back in the day. Only good for stuffies and candy.
Written 19 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN16,988 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We were here on Saturday, December 30, 2023. We walked by a few days earlier on Christmas Eve, but the line to get in was over a block long. This time the line was only about 25 feet long. Once inside it was very packed with people. This is a smaller store than what I would have imagined. I had been to the store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago (before it closed due to bankruptcy) and that was a larger more magnificent store. This one is two story with a spiral staircase, but really not that big. There were several store employees in various areas to demonstrate toys...but also to keep an eye out for shoplifters. Many of the toys sold here are way overpriced and cheaply made to boot.
It's a big name in toys, but the toys are mostly junk.
It's a big name in toys, but the toys are mostly junk.
Written 30 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cynsha
Mankato, MN407 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
We went there solely to find the Walking Piano (Big Piano). My husband and son had once played the same routine of Heart and Soul and Chopsticks that Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia did in the movie. Like them, my guys also attracted a crowd and a round of applause! That was long ago, so seeing that same piano again was a delight! FAO Schwarz has a LOT of stuff to look at and buy!!
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Burlington Bertie
London, UK38 contributions
July 2023 • Family
What a sad shadow of its former glory. A store full of overpriced cheaply made toys. We spent $50.00 on 2 flying saucers which broke in a day. Please close this embarrassing waste of space.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepakgupta5
Vancouver, Canada592 contributions
Jan 2022
This is an iconic NY store but I found it quite average, Hamleys main branch in London is way bigger and with more options than this store at the Rockefeller Plaza. The famous floor keyboard was cordoned off from guests (probably due to Covid restrictions). Not worth making a special trip for
Written 13 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lion2020
7 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
The store is definitely a place for toy lovers to go. For me it was a little crowded and crazy for things you could buy online. It do have limited edition Barbies and Star Wars Barbies if they are in stock. It is close to Rockefeller ice skating rink. So if you are a toy collector or know one this is the store for you.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdoc29
Culpeper, VA362 contributions
Apr 2022
Nostalgia drove me to visit the store now that it's reopened in Rockefeller Plaza but sadly it's not the same store as before. It's big and if you never been impressive but if you remember the other store up near Central Park you will leave feeling underwhelmed and disappointed but what once was and what it is now. If you in the area it's worth stopping by for a look but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel548
Farmington Hills, MI744 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
The store was more modern than we anticipated and there's a wait during the holidays to enter the store. However, it was cool to be in a store dedicated to toys and my boys loved it. Lots to see and play with. Obviously on the expensive side, but fun memories and toys to bring home.
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perhaps I am wrong, but I always think of the Nutcracker when I see the FAO soldier/doorman. (Sorry for the delay in responding. I was on a trip with poor Wi-Fi.)
Written 21 May 2023
How often do the staff do the piano performances? Do they do them regularly or you just have to be there at the right time?
Written 2 September 2021
Has anyone done the custom R/C car building at the new store? And if so, any idea on price range? We're going next week and my son will love it, just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for. :-) Thanks!
Written 11 December 2019
We looked into it ... I think it was about $100 with all the options.
Written 11 December 2019
soozq1952
Windsor, Canada
Is there a guided tour of the store to outline its history and merchandising?
Written 19 March 2019
Fortune Magazine has a great article from 2015 on the history of FAO Schwarz titled “Remembering FAO Schwarz The Iconic Toy Store”. I can’t include the link due to posting guidelines but just google it.
By the way you get 10% off by going directly to their website, Have fun!!!
Written 20 March 2019
Hi, can you tell me the location of FAO Schwarz? When I look it up it says it's closed. Thanks.
Written 24 December 2015
A Tripadvisor member
FAO is closed pemanently as of July 15, 2015.
Written 26 December 2015
Si ya no existe la tienda, ahora donde está el big piano?
Written 17 November 2015
We are having a stop over of 12 hours at EWR then getting back to go on a International flight.Do we have time for the 8hour tour
Written 1 September 2015
A Tripadvisor member
Fao is closed permanetly.
Written 2 September 2015
Does the store still have a lot of merchandise or is it obvious that they are closing soon? What areas are already empty?
Written 30 June 2015
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