I often contemplate the equivalent store or place for young boys that can possibly match the experience of taking a young girl to an American Girl store. Does such a place exist for young boys? I haven't found it yet, but a multi-floor interactive or custom train store has to come close! This weekend we visited the temporary Lionel Electric Trains Flagship Store in Rockefeller Center - established for the holiday season and it was a big hit!! Li'l Boo was exited about going to the train store days in advance, and once we entered the store, he literally could not stop waving his arms in excitment everytime the model trains came by on the tracks. We couldn't drag him away from the trains on display when we were leaving. (Tip: Expect a temper tantrum when you announce it's time to leave the train store, so plan your escape strategy in advance ;-) )
Lionel is introducing a new product line for toddlers this season called "Lionel Little Lines," and has a special relationship with WalMart this holiday season to set up large Lionel electric train aisles/displays in 2,000 WalMarts across the country, so be sure to check it out if you have one near you. There's a new Lionelville Destination: Adventure movie out on DVD this week too.
The Lionel Train store is temporary and thus not a destination in and of itself for families, but a definite must-see if you have boys and are visiting Rockefeller Center, Radio City, or the ice rink, etc. in midtown this holiday season. I hope the store does well and that a larger, perhaps multi-floor permanent Lionel Store will soon grace New York! :-)
The Lionel Train store is located at 30 Rockefeller Center (50th btwn 5th and 6th) Or online at http://www.lionelnewyork.com 212-782-3388. The store is open now through January 5th, 2010. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Oh wow - that is so neat! I can't wait til Chase is old enough to appreciate something like this. Not sure who will have the most fun... me, him, or his dad!!! :-)
Posted by: Yakini | November 17, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Didn't know about this either, and we'll again be visiting the city with relatives this Tgiving, so we might stop in (although is it wise to be anywhere in Midtown the Sat after Tgiving -- SIGH).
Posted by: Jennifer, Snapshot | November 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Wouldnt be Thanksgiving weekend in NYC without trying! ;-) Lionel is a small-ish store, so I would expect to see a crowd outside watching the displays through th windows. Im keeping my fingers crossed that this does well for them so theyll consider a larger store!
Posted by: c2cmom | November 18, 2009 at 11:53 AM