When Lauren, our youngest turned 5 last October, we brought her to American Girl Place for the first time. After weeks of hearing her talk about Grace Thomas (2015’s doll of the year), my husband and I surprised Lauren with a visit to the American Girl flagship store in NYC for her birthday.
Let’s just say from the moment she brought her Grace Thomas doll home, Lauren has become a walking advertisement for the American Girl brand. She brings her doll everywhere!
Can you imagine how happy she was when the lovely folks at American Girl sent us the latest Doll of the Year, Lea Clark for review? When she opened the package, her exact words were, “Am I dreaming?” Lauren was so excited that Grace Thomas now had a friend to keep her company. 🙂 I’d like to thank American Girl for sponsoring today’s post.
Lauren also has 2 other close buddies who share a love for dolls and “play pretend.” Since the 3 of them have never been to the American Girl Place Cafe before, the other moms and I decided to plan a “Moms and Daughters Lunch Date” together.
If you’ve ever been curious of why there’s a big following of the American Girl brand, I think the photos in this post may provide some insight. As a former kid who loved dolls and the whole world of “play pretend” where you can make up your own little world and your own set of rules, I totally get “it.” I hope you enjoy the photos from our day trip.
1. Here’s Lauren getting Lea Clark all ready for her trip into the city.
2. Lauren with her buddies from Ballet. These girls took their first train ride into New York City!
3. We made it to the flagship store!
4. Since our lunch appointment was at 11 a.m., we went straight to the Cafe upon entering the store.
This is a photo inside the cafe (located on 3rd floor). Isn’t it amazing that guests can choose a selection of dolls to join their table should they wish to do so? The kicker is that the dolls are given a “clip on” seat. 🙂
5. I love the chic and girly decor! Definitely love the black and white stripes.
6. Naturally there’s lots of pink in the decor. By the way, the napkin ties are actually hair ties. Guests can bring them home! The kids also got to keep a cup and saucer toy set for their dolls.
7. Loving this flower-covered hanging light!
8. Here’s Lauren feeding Lea!
9. Our lunch came with a first course that included mini-cinnabons and a family-style platter featuring tomato-basil bruschetta, hummus, crisp veggies with ranch dressing, and homemade pigs-in-a-blanket.
10. All 3 moms ordered a salad (how typical). The cranberry salad with chicken is delicious!
11. Lauren enjoyed her pizza. Isn’t that a generous portion?
12. All 6 of us. I mean, all 9 of us. Can’t forget their dolls! 😉
13. For dessert, we all got a chocolate mousse along with a vanilla cupcake. I love the portion size. Just right!
Our waiter was extremely attentive and friendly. He asked if we were celebrating a special occasion during this visit. We told him that the girls all recently turned five years old. When dessert was brought to our table, each of the cupcakes had a lit candle.
We all got to sing “Happy Birthday” to the girls. They were all smiles!
After our lovely meal, the girls had appointments for their dolls at the Hair Salon. I know, I know. Too funny!
Lauren’s friend, Priscilla had her Lea Clark doll’s hair braided into a “fishtail” style. I need to learn how to do that!
All 3 girls had their dolls ears’ pierced at the salon. It seems a little ridiculous to have the dolls’ ears pierced but when you see those cute earrings on the dolls, you will “get it.” 😉
Here’s a perfect example of the level of detail that you can expect from visiting the American Girl Place. They even have “doll holders” in the restrooms!
How cute are these outfits for the dolls? Of course, I had to buy one for Lauren, our little ballerina. Lauren chose the outfit on the left.
No shortage of good “Photo Ops” at the flagship store! How adorable is that egg-shaped chair?
With Lea Clark being 2016’s Girl of the Year, you can expect plenty of “Lea” themed sections throughout the store. Check out the cute “Lea’s Treat Shop” area. You can order up smoothies and treats during your visit!
Here’s Lauren holding her new Lea doll and posing alongside of a large poster board of Lea Clark!
Everything is extremely organized in the store and shelves. Shopping is dangerously easy! Be prepared for your child to want to grab every box in the cubbies.
The girls had so much fun shopping together and checking out the dolls on display.
TIP: A good place to stop by for a little break is the “Personal Shopping” room directly next to the Doll Hair Salon area. This is where our girls changed their dolls into the new outfits that we just purchased that day.
Great day spent with my “mini-me.”
As if the day wasn’t adventurous enough for these girls, they were even interviewed by the CBS morning crew! The crew happened to be there that day for a special segment. It was so cute to see the girls answer questions asked by the reporter. Regardless if they appear on T.V. or not, it was such a sight to see them being interviewed.
This wraps up our fun visit to the American Girl Place in New York City. I’d like to thank the wonderful folks at American Girl for treating us to a lovely lunch at the cafe. The attentive service and the delicious meal are big reasons why we are already planning another group visit together next year.
With Lauren’s love for the American Girl brand, it’s safe to say that there will be plenty of American Girl doll merchandise in our home for years to come. While American Girl items may not be light on the wallet, I know that we are paying for quality items.
Along with being impressed with the craftsmanship of the American Girl products, I am so impressed with American Girl’s philanthropic efforts. To date, American Girl has donated more than $100 million in dolls, clothes, books, and cash to numerous charities nationwide. In support of last year’s Girl of the Year, Grace Thomas, American Girl helped raise $657,000 for No Kid Hungry, a non-profit organization. You can read more about American Girl’s commitment to charitable efforts by visiting link here.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s recap of my recent Moms and Daughters Lunch Outing! Celebrating childhood and making lasting memories are important things that I treasure.
If you’re new to Beauteeful Living, please subscribe here to receive future posts delivered directly to your inbox:
Thanks for stopping by the blog. Xoxo, Tee.
Commentators below, thanks so much for your all your wonderful comments and feedback! – Tee
I would love to visit american girl place, I used to have a similar doll as a kid and used to take it with me everday
This looks like a cute place to visit, my girls have asked me if they could go to the one we have here at the mall. I will have to schedule a visit there with the girls this spring.
This is so cute! I had (have) a Kelly doll! my inner 9 year old is so jealous!
My eldest granddaughter is a HUGE fan of American Girl Dolls, she has 3 in her collection so far and more on her list! She would absolutely go wild over a trip like this, how fun! Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience! 🙂
Really cute Mommy & Daughter activity. My daughter is just starting to get into American Girl. She mentioned it at Christmas and I talked her out of it because of the price. I don’t know how long that will work though.
This looks like so much fun, we have actually never gone to a store or restaurant but it is on Nora’s list of things to do!
I had no idea they donated so much for other kids! What a great thing the American Girl does! I always wanted to do this with my girl but she wasn’t interested and we didn’t get a store until she turned 9. Boo.
How sweet.. When I moved to Georgia my daughter wanted her birthday at American Girl. The cafe was too cute!
They look had fun with pretty dolls. I’ve never been in American Girl for sure, my daughter and nieces would love that place.
My daughter would be in her glory going to an American Girl store and having this experience. Looks like fun!
The doll is huge. I’m sure any girl would love to play with this and see the American Girl Place Cafe.
I had no clue that there was an American doll cafe. I missed out, my daughter was a teen when they became popular.
This seems like the right place for little girls. I know many kids would love this place. Thanks for sharing!
Very cute! It looks like everyone had a wonderful trip!
This looks like such a perfect place for little girls. My daughter is 4 and all about her dollies, which she so creatively names “Dolly”. Nevertheless, I know she’d love to visit the cafe and have pretty cupcakes with her dolly. Thanks for sharing this. I’d have never known about this store otherwise.
I always said I’ve dodged a bullet that my almost 6 year old daughter hasn’t gotten into American Girl stuff. But after reading this and seeing your pictures, I felt a bit sad that we’re missing out on some sweet moments together (and that salad looked delicious too). I think I know where I’m going this weekend…
Oh, I just loved this post… LOVED it! My daughter Autumn is 7 and she loves AG! I would love to take her to Chicago to see the store there sometime as it is 2 stories. But, we do have a store here in St. Louis that we have visited more times then I’d like to say… she has WAY too many dolls! The Lea doll is from St. Louis, too, which I love. Their cafe is the best and I really love the food!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I wish they had something similar for boys. The American Girl brand is something really special. So glad your daughter was able to receive and review Lea!
Wow, what I wouldn’t have given for a trip like this when I was younger! I was absolutely in love with my dolls and would have just been in heaven at an American Girl store!
This place is amazing. We brought our daughter here when she was 8 or 9 also and we did the entire lunch date and beauty salon for the doll and everything. She had such a great time, looks like your daughter has a blast too.
Looks like such a fun time! My cousin just took her daughters & they loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Michelle! The adults had as much of a nice time as the kids. We’re looking forward to going again next year!
So much fun!
Thanks, Angela! It was really a fun day spent with everyone!
Oh, what a fun day! When my daughter was little, she loved American Girl. We still have all the books, too. Of course, the stores weren’t around back then, but as soon as I get a granddaughter, this is one place we will definitely visit.
Thanks for your comment, Alli. That’s wonderful that you’ve kept all the books from your daughter’s collection!