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What could make for a better holiday present than an American Girl Doll AND a trip for Tea at American Girl Cafe NYC?
On December 25, 2017, Santa came down our chimney and left this under tree for baby girl:
And in her stocking, baby girl found this:
Talk about making a 6-year old girl’s Christmas wish come true! TIMES 2!!!!!
Baby girl was super excited to receive her Maryellen doll (and a starter wardrobe for her American Girl). And I, always up for an adventure, was pretty excited about heading to Afternoon Tea at the American Girl NYC Cafe!
Baby Girl and I would like to thank American Girl for hosting us to facilitate this honest review. As always, opinions are all my own.
Afternoon Tea at the American Girl Cafe NYC
Let me just start by saying that Afternoon Tea at the American Girl Doll Cafe NYC was awesome. We had such a fun time visiting, shopping and having tea. This was a super fun way for baby girl and I to spend some time together and participate in activity that was fun for her, and myself. But of course a visit to the American Girl Cafe can seem overwhelming so I am excited to share with you my tips for having your best visit!
American Girl Doll Cafe NYC Reservations
Making a reservation at the American Girl Cafe is a must, but it is so easy! I, I mean Santa, was able to make a reservation right from my mobile device. Anyone else love when they can make a reservation without actually having to talk to another person?
No? Just me?
Well actually, let me back up. First I went to the American Girl Cafe website and read through all of the café menus. They offer Brunch, Afternoon Tea and a Lunch/Dinner menu. Since we have about an hour train ride to New York City, I figured an American Girl afternoon tea would work best with our schedule and the menu looked so yummy!
After making your American Girl Doll cafe NYC reservation, you might also want to make a salon appointment. At the New York City location, the cafe and salon are both located inside the larger American Girl Doll Store. Salon treatments include hairstyling, ear piercing and manicures. These services are available for BOTH your doll and daughter! Sadly we did not visit the salon and needless to say, baby girl is eagerly awaiting our next visit to get Maryellen’s ears pierced.
Getting to the American Girl Cafe NYC
The American Girl Cafe NYC is located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, which is on 51st street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues (but closer to Fifth Avenue). It is worth mentioning that there is an entrance on 52nd street as well. We walked over from the E train stop at 53rd/Fifth in 10-degree weather, so I was happy to skip walking an extra block!
Many trains service Rockefeller Center, including the E/M at 53/Fifth and the B/D/F at 47-50 streets.
American Girl Doll NYC Retail Store
The American Girl Cafe NYC is located within the American Girl Doll store. The cafe is located on the lower level and the salon is on the first (street-level) floor. On both floors you will find the American Girl Doll retail shop. On the main level, you will find clothes, dolls and accessories from the Truly Me Collection. Downstairs you will find dolls and accessories from the BeForever, Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby collections.
Before our visit, baby girl and I agreed upon one “reasonably priced” accessory purchase. In the end she chose to take home, Scooter, Maryellen’s pup. I would definitely advocate for setting limits before your store visit. There are so many great things to purchase at the store, at varying price points, and having a plan is advisable.
As you can tell, I was nervous that the store would bring out the “Gimme-Gimme” tendencies of a six-year-old girl, but honestly one of the highlights of our day was going through the store! It’s almost like a museum; we had so much fun looking at all the displays of the dolls!
When you enter on 51st Street, there is an awesome display of all the American Girl Dolls of the year, dating way back to 2001! Ancient history in baby girl’s eyes!
I loved seeing all the different collections, and dolls represented in the store. I truly think every girl has the opportunity to find an American Girl that looks just like her! I loved sharing in the stories of the dolls with my daughter. We especially loved going through the BeForever collection, with girls representing different periods of history from the 1700s to the 1970s.
It’s funny, I, I mean Santa, picked Maryellen for baby girl because she kinda looks like my daughter and was reasonably priced on Amazon. I did not anticipate the fun we would have learning about her life in 1954, the time period Maryellen represents. She is such a great doll for baby girl!
Before my visit, I had not known much about the American Girl brand, but was so inspired by the stories of the dolls at the store, and the creativity I have seen Maryellen spark in my daughter. She loves playing with her! I’m so glad Santa left her under our tree.
American Girl Afternoon Tea NYC
Once we arrived, defrosted from the cold, shopped and used the restrooms, it was finally time for our 2:00 Afternoon Tea reservation. We checked in at the café and baby girl, Maryellen, and I were escorted to our table. Maryellen was perched in a special doll sized -high chair and given a placemat, plate, and cup, which we were able to keep. Our napkins were tied with keepsake hair ties, one for baby girl, and one for Maryellen!
PRO-TIP: If you do not have your own American Girl Doll, thats okay – there are plenty you can “borrow” to accompany you for your meal!
At the American Girl Cafe, Afternoon Tea starts with a beverage, I chose a raspberry tea and baby girl opted for a mug of hot chocolate. If you don’t care for actual tea, you can order lemonade, milk or a soft drink.
We then were presented with our tower of treats and we devoured everything! We had fruit kabobs, blueberry scones, cinnamon buns, egg frittatas, turkey sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches and pigs in a blanket. Its funny because I am a vegetarian and baby girl is a big meat eater so we sorta yin and yanged our way through the platter!
After all that, we were then both presented with a plate of assorted desserts – a linzer cookie, a fruit tart and a chocolate mousse. We enjoyed all the desserts, especially that chocolate mousse!
We really enjoyed the American Girl Afternoon Tea. Everything was delicious. The fancy treat tower made us feel like we were out for a special event. I think even Maryellen enjoyed it. The Afternoon Tea at American Girl Cafe costs $20 per person. The day of our visit we had eaten a large breakfast, and this afternoon tea party served as our lunch. We were both pretty full when we left.
It’s also worth noting that the American Girl Cafe serves alcohol. To the Afternoon Tea service adults can also add on a mimosa or a glass of sparkling wine for $5. There are also ala Carte beverages available. Hey sometimes mommy just needs some champagne!
We had such a great day traveling to New York City and visiting the American Girl Cafe. I know both baby girl and I are eager to return again! American Girl has stores throughout the US, and one each in Canada, Mexico and Bahrain. Have you been to an American Girl Cafe?
Thinking about buying an American Girl Doll? Read Why the American Girl Doll isn’t some overpriced toy
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How fun! My oldest had her birthday 6th birthday at the American girl store and loved it. I didn’t know they had afternoon tea, so I’ll have to check that out at the store near me for my girls.
my daughter wants to go back for her birthday!
How fun!!! A few years ago I went with my mom and little sisters. Made 8 year old me jealous. 😉
What a fun experience for her!
Afternoon tea at American Girl Cafe? My daughter would LOVE that!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Looks like a nice mommy and daughter date idea! The salon afterwards sounds cool too.
How fun. My daughter loves visiting the AG store and loves afternoon tea. This would be a fun girly adventure for us to do one day.
This is precious. I need to take my little cousin to the American Girl Store and have a bonding lunch.
This is such a fun activity – I need to take my nieces there soon!
Growing up, American Girl Dolls were my favorite. I remember my mom and I going to the store and cafe and it was the best trip EVER! So excited for you that you both got to experience it and make those memories. I can’t wait to take my own daughter (fingers crossed I have one) someday!
This looks so fun! My little girls would love this.
Such a cute and fun idea for a little girl. My daughter would have loved that when she was into American Doll. Love how they gave a little history on the doll from 1954.
Amazing! If I ever have a little girl, I, definitely buying her an American Girl and visiting this store! The afternoon tea looks 👌 I could eat one right now! Also how funny they have one on Bahrain. My husband used to live there (he’s Italian) and we’d never noticed it! If only I’d known! Xx
American Girl has been a dream of mine for a long time! Looks like your daughter had a fabulous time.
What a fun day for the two of you. I cherish the mother/daughter times that I have had with my daughter. One of our favorites was our time in NYC as well. She will remember this and talk about it forever!
aw my older sister used to love American Girl Dolls, I never knew that they had a cute little tea shop! This looks like an awesome activity to do with your kids!
I hadn’t even heard about an American Girl Cafe until just now! It looks like an amazing time for a kiddo and her doll (and mom too). The food spread sounded great too!
That is one heck of a tea party. Even without a doll it looks so much fun. And your pics with the food yummy. My daughters are teens now and dolls are no longer played with. I do miss it.
I wish this was a think when my now 23 year old was a little girl! What a fun mother-daughter date!
The food they served looks so good! And the cup of hot chocolate looked amazing!
What a fun mother/daughter trip you had there! I can see my 6 year old me would enjoy the place and talk about it everyday to everyone I met. Haha…
What a fun mother-daughter experience to share! I would have loved this as a little girl.
How fun! I’m not sure how this American Girl Doll craze started, but kids love it. I like that you agreed to purchase just one item before going, and that your daughter didn’t ask for more.
she is pretty good like that if we set limits.
This is awesome! I don’t have any little girls but this experience looks amazing!
What a great idea for a mama-baby girl date! I agree, I also love when I can just make reservations from my phone. I do the same thing about setting limits before we go to stores like this. There’s just so much temptation,..
Your daughter looks like she had a blast! I still need to take my girls to high tea, looks like so much fun.
How fun!! I did this with my sister-in-law one year before my husband and I got married. She absolutely LOVED it and had a blast. 🙂
Awesome! My niece will love this!
I used to love American Girls when I was little. I ended up getting the fake version from Kmart but it was soo fun. Loved this article and the details you provided!
What a sweet way to spend the day together! She looks thrilled to be there!
Wow! What a treat for baby girl! Looks like so much fun. Reminds me of my Barbie days. Shame there wasn’t a barbie world or cafe! Lol
A girls heaven 😜👍
How cool! I didn’t realize they had a cafe. Dolls and more are a little girls dream!
Ooh the food looks lovely! Great that they will lend you a doll if you don’t . have one. My littlest would love to take her doll to the cafe, she’s allowed to take it into ballet today and she’s beside herself with excitement! Thanks for linking up to #familytraveltips
Nat.x
What a lovely idea- a proper girly tea party would be so much fun with my girls. American Girl look like they do it well! #familytraveltips
I LOVE this! I’m planning on taking her to the cafe next month. Pray for me! I know those slots go quickly! LOL
What a great mommy-daughter activity! What little girl wouldn’t enjoy such a lovely tea party?! That was so smart if you to set limits with your daughter before entering the store! Also, that is adorable that the cafe will let you borrow a doll to join your tea party if you hadn’t brought a doll of your own.
What a happy little girl! Those cafes and shops have thought of everything – very impressive!
so funny she just asked if we could go back!
Even though my daughter is almost a teenager, this is still on our bucket list!
She’s so sweet with her American Girl doll!! We have spent countless hours in the AG stores over the years but my girls are now 21 and 15 so the dolls are slowly being packed away. I miss those days!!
Thanks for your post!
My daughter and I will be going (first timers) to the store and tea time this holiday season in NY.
I’m very excited for our experience.
Have the best time!
Hey guys I just returned from an American girl Chicago trip and they recently rolled out a new price plan for the tea. They now charge 40 a person for the tea…. Yes 40 is what I said. They even wanted to charge my husband and I a sitting fee of 10 a piece for just sitting at the table. I think that’s terrible. My daughter loved it but we won’t be going back…. They even charged us for her hot chocolate which I thought was included 😓. I hope they change this policy
good to know! I need to update my pricing – we went a long time ago!!!! it was so fun, so its unfortunate they have jacked up the prices 🙁