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If you've ever taken your kid to American Girl Place on Fifth Avenue, it’s time to make a return trip to visit the new and super modern flagship store a few blocks away, right in Rockefeller Center.
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We checked out the new store at a pre-opening tour and a grand opening gala that benefited the New York Public Library. The new flagship is filled with all of the American Girl treats you've come to expect, a salon and hospital for the dolls plus the super popular cafe only now your daughter can get her hair done alongside her favorite doll. Your girl and her doll can even get their ears pierced and manicures together.
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The cafe, which used to have set seating times (and super long lines), now takes reservations. The menu has also gotten an upgrade with new entrees for kids and adults. Don't worry–you can still borrow a doll to dine with if you haven't committed to buying one yet.
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The luxe store is spacious and airy, and has entrances on both 51st and 52nd street, which make it a lot easier to navigate. And don't worry about trekking up and down a bunch of escalators to get to the cafe. The new store is two manageable floors that have been laid out very thoughtfully. As soon as you enter the store, you’ll be greeted by the newest dolls and a Create Your Own Design studio, where she can make a doll that looks just like her, with even more varieties than before. She can even play fashion designer for the day and whip up some custom outfits.
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Upstairs there's an area devoted to the Mega Construx block-building kits (think LEGO but for American Girl), which has a miniature cityscape built out of the blocks and an Instagram worthy almost-life-sized doll that you’ll want to snap a picture of with your girl.
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Downstairs there's a super cute bookstore, the cafe (which has private dining rooms for birthday parties), the hospital and the historical Beforever dolls. The best part? There are tons of interactive exhibits where your girl can feel like she's stepped back in time, just like her doll.
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The only downside to this dreamy new store? It’s going to be really crowded. So if you’re looking to make a reservation at the salon for matching “waterfall braids’’ for your girl and her doll before lunch at the cafe, we recommend booking way in advance.
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American Girl Place
75 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC
americangirl.com
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