FAO Schwarz, New York

As a toy shop, this place is amazing, children's (and many adults') paradise. Lifesize lego models of Batman and Harry Potter greet you as you ride the escalator and there's every toy imaginable - intricate dolls' houses, teddy bears, lego and trains...
Add to that the giant working piano, and the huge pick n mix station, and you've got some happy (albeit hyper) kids on your hands.

For small kids and big kids alike, no visit to New York City should neglect a visit to FAO Schwarz. A multi-level toy store, one of its many claims to fame is that it boasts the giant piano keyboard that Tom Hanks played with his feet in the film, Big. The keyboard is still there, only now there are professional piano players to demonstrate how it works. When Monsieur and I braved FAO Schwarz last December, the crowd watching the demonstration was at least four deep and a dozen across, but that wasn’t really surprising, given that we were there on a Saturday not long before Christmas.

In hindsight, it was a pretty stupid time to visit this store. We’d had to queue outside for a good fifteen minutes because it was so crowded inside. Not to mention that it was bitterly cold and snowing. I felt like a small iceberg by the time we got through the door.

First, we visited the soft toy section, marvelling at how many animals can be made in plush fabrics. Had I a private jet instead of a meagre baggage allowance, I would probably have taken a small menagerie home with me, but hey, we live in London. No space.

Walking around we saw dolls’ houses, Barbie displays, model aeroplanes, dolls and dress-up outfits and Lego and Playmobil. Spotting a Playmobil Sphinx which a collector friend would adore, I grabbed the box and was somewhat amazed that just a few minutes later I was being served.

If there’s one thing that’s impressive about this store, it’s that they are prepared for pre-Christmas crowds and therefore there are plenty of staff on deck. For that alone it’s almost worth the queue.

Tip: if you go to FAO Schwarz with kids, big or small, you might like to link your shopping mission with a visit to the nearby Plaza Hotel – the location for much of Home Alone II.

The famous toy shop! It was the shop my boyfriend most wanted to visit when we went (and he’s 19) so it just shows you’re never too young to have fun and buy toys! The shop is really huge! To get in we had to queue probably because it was christmas, but it is slightly offputting to see the long queue stretching right round the building.
Anyway inside is literally everything you could think of in terms of toys. When we went we were quite sad to find there was no giant keyboard like there had been in Big :( but apart from that we spent a merry half hours going round the shop looking at everything - every time you turn a corner you find something new quite literally!
Downstairs is a lovely steiff place where I got my mum a little steiff teddy as she loves steiff - she was pretty chuffed with it when we got back. There’s also a really good sweet section - it sells all those american sweets that you just love to take back to England with you.

Large toy shop in NY. Reasonably priced but to be honest wasnt realy impressed as its not as big as i thought it was and the walk piano (out of various films) wasnt there.

A must see even if you dont have kids. Over priced but full of amazing giant stuffed animals, the piano on the floor from the movie Biog that Tom Hanks played on and sometimes people demonstarting it. the m,ost awazing doll collections including designer barbies that are gorgeous. A geart sweet shop. they do arranged sleepovers for birthdays-for rich kids im sure-what an amazing birthday that would be. Lots os reasonably priced toys on the lower floors and take your pictgure with a toy soldier assisatnt or the teddy bear statue outside. Its just beside the Apple store and also acroos the road from Central park and seside Tiffanys so pleanty of other things to do if stuffed animals turn your stomach.

This is a great place to visit - even as adults! You are met by a toy soldier at the door and once inside there is a fabulous range of toys for kids of all ages. The soft toys are beautiful and would be ideal if you have any little ones to buy for. I was suprised that the prices were so reasonable for a well known store. Upstairs is the big floor piano as seen in the film Big and there are often displays by staff to watch.

Such a wonderful place to visit - for the old and young alike!

This is nothing like a toy shop in this country. It is huge and has everything you could possibly imagine in terms of toys and games.

It is an upmarket (and quite expensive) store though.

If you visit it with your children, don’t be surprised if they want almost everything in the store!

You may think this is for kids and you would be right but i think it’s also for the big kids inside of us as i loved it here. You get greeted on your way in and once in you get all sorts of things from the normal stuffed toys to the huge as big as your house toys :) Also you can see some of the toys being used such as magic tricks and a man who can do a rubik’s cube in no time a tall (just like Will Smith in Pursuit of Happyness) Also another reason people come here is to play on the big piano from the film BIG which is a great laugh :) So need i say more!!

FAO Schwarz, New York
This is a great place to visit with young children, whether you decide to buy something or not. The plaza immediately in front of the shop on 5th Avenue has a lovely water feature and seating. But enough already, you want to get into the shop, right?! Be prepared to be greeted by a polite “toy soldier” who will open the door for you…then behold a huge range of soft toys, ranging from life size giraffe to more manageable cuddly things! Right up the escalator you come to the giant keyboard, made famous in Toms Hanks’ “Big”. I have not been persuaded to make a fool of myself…ahem to entertain the masses on it, but my kids have been on it several times with much joy, and my sister in law who is the wrong side of 30 had a blast sliding up and down. Great fun and a nice bold bag to take away if you do buy something (warning, the toys are not cheap!)

no, it’s not as big as Hamley’s with not quite so many screaming children. A great place to visit though. Our son loved the Hotwheels Factory where you can design your own matchbox car and have it come shooting out of the factory pipes in a presentation box. We jumped on the piano and had sundaes in the cafe which were absolutely huge and covered in gummi bears, m&m’s, syrup, chocolate we were completely overwhelmed!

This store is a must for any children/grown ups who haven’t really grown up.This store is the one featured in the Tom Hanks film Big where he’s a kid in an adults body & this store definately makes you feel like that.You can find it on 5th ave so have a go at the giant floor piano that really works just like he did.You will know you found the store when you see the huge bear holding 3 bricks containing the letters F O A sat outside.The store now sells clothing aswell as the greatest toys ever seen

The toy solider opening the door greets you with a smile and is happy to stop for a photo or two. Once inside, although the normal amount of loud children there is a wonderful array of toys and gifts. The quality of the toys is very high and amazingly the prices are affordable. A great feel good shop well worth the walk up 5th Avenue.

Smaller than you’d think, this world famous toy shop is an iconic, if overblown piece of New York. We didn’t find many toys for our 2 year old in here to be honest, there are lots of huge stuffed animals costing $500+ but not many 'knick knacks’ which are easy to transport home. Having said this, it is quite stunning inside with a full size big wheel and the marching guards outside!

Amazing place for kids and adults alike! Though, steer clear if you dont like screaming demanding children! Well priced and every type of toy you can imagine.

If you visit Manhattan with children then this is a must. Massive toy store, not as big as Hamley’s in London but in my opinion so much better. A toy soldier to greet you (last time it was a lady!) as you arrive, huge stuffed animals and masses of games, dolls, new and traditional toys. Plus the big and i mean big interactive piano, give it a stomp!!

excellent place, you have to play the piano!