The Pop Culture Travel Guide

NewYorkology: Toy Heaven

12/01/2006 at 3:10 PM
Tags: , , , , (all tags)


We are happy to announce the return of NewYorkology to Jaunted for the weekly update on things to do in NYC, courtesy of Amy Langfield.

Despite the fact that New York is already manic with holiday shoppers, last weekend I dove into the belly of the beast, taking a pair of 10-year-olds shopping in Midtown's mega-toy emporiums. The goal was to milk the preteen brain trust for advice for parents needing to know what to avoid and what's worth waiting in line for.

And although we spent an inordinate amount of time looking at massive Lego displays, like an unedited Bugs Bunny cartoon, there are adult-targeted nuggets hidden among the child-friendly entertainment.
FAO Schwarz actually leads the pack on this count. Not only do they have a museum-style room set up with antique toys for sale, but I was particularly amused to see a Hong Kong Phooey action figure. Nearby, they had a collection of the germ plushies.

Toys R Us on Times Square is kind enough to stock old-fashioned board games in abundance. Also of note, downstairs at Dylan's Candy Bar, you'll find a room devoted to old-timey candy popular when you were a kid - whether it was in the 1970s or post-Depression. They've also got good selection of t-shirts and other items emblazoned with logos from some of those candies.

OK, and in all honesty, those Lego displays were pretty awesome even by grown-up standards.

More headlines from NewYorkology this past week:
Wellington Hotel's room deal: Borat Slept Here - NOT
Stoppard's Utopian 'Voyage' a huge hit with critics
Taxi fares rise at midnight; subway/bus fares stable
Coney Island's Astroland closing after 2007 season

[Photo: distelvink2002]

2 Comments - Add Yours by djk

Add YoursComments


jonrochetti
Jaunted Member
Getting into FAO Schwarz during the holidays (none / 0)

At Christmas time, there's often a long line waiting to get into the FAO Schwarz on 5th Ave.  

To get uin quickly, simply walk around the corner to the rear entrance. There's never a line.  

Jon
www.theDCtraveler.com

by jonrochetti on 12/01/2006 at 6:30 PM



Amy1
Jaunted Member
No shortcut (none / 0)

Actually, they now keep a guard at that backdoor, which is marked "exit only." When I went with the kids, everyone trying to sneak in that way was redirected to the line for the Fifth Ave entrance. ... However I was at the store yesterday (a Tuesday) and there was no line to get in the front door.

by Amy1 on 12/06/2006 at 11:29 AM

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