When asking yourself about something to do near me in New York with a group of friends or family, consider
Best Buy
Why Best Buy is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Best Buy is renowned as the world's largest specialty consumer electronics retailer, offering a comprehensive and curated assortment of the latest technology from top brands. It provides an inviting environment where friends can meet to explore a wide range of products including mobile phones, computing devices, home appliances, and entertainment systems. Best Buy differentiates itself through exceptional customer service delivered by expert associates who offer advice and consultations in-store and online. The store also features highly trained services teams that assist with custom designs, delivery, installation, technical support, and repair, ensuring a seamless technology experience. Its inclusive retail experience is bolstered by the Geek Squad and other specialized services, making Best Buy a go-to spot for technology enthusiasts and casual buyers alike. With over 1,000 stores across North America and extensive online platforms, Best Buy offers convenience and expertise, making it an ideal gathering place to discover and share the latest tech innovations while enjoying knowledgeable support.
Here's what people think of Best Buy
As of recent, Best Buy holds a 4.1-star rating based on 16415 reviews.
Customer reviews highlight Best Buy’s strong reputation for excellent customer service, citing helpful and knowledgeable staff who assist customers in finding the right products, such as smartphones and accessories, tailored to individual needs. Positive feedback emphasizes the reliability of product availability, competitive pricing, and value-added services including promotions and gift cards that enhance the shopping experience. Many customers appreciate the polite and courteous nature of the employees, as well as the enjoyable shopping atmosphere where they can regularly explore new technology. On the other hand, some negative reviews mention occasional issues such as wait times, stock availability, or inconsistency in in-store service depending on location. Despite these concerns, the majority consensus leans positive with many reviewers recommending Best Buy to friends and family. Overall, the customer feedback portrays Best Buy as a trustworthy and customer-centric retailer with areas for continual improvement, reinforcing its position as a popular destination for electronics and tech solutions.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Kendrick Bui
The 5th Avenue store is a great Best Buy location with a total of 4 floors containing a wide selection of technology and home appliances. The staff are friendly and each floor feels clean and well organised. The store does not feel crowded and there are also customer restrooms on the lower level which are mostly clean and well maintained. Not significantly different from other Best Buy locations in the city.
Ignat Korzhevoy
Very helpful stuff. Teo helped me a lot and was always willing to answer any of my questions and even asked a nice lady to help with cards and billing tips. Great humour and vibes as well. Totally recommended!
Levent
I had an amazing experience in this Best Buy location. They had the color of the product I wanted which I slightly thought they wouldn’t have it on stock. They also had great discounts for the product I wanted. Polite and helpful staff, fast service, clean place, and great location right near Times Square in New York City. Overall, it’s a great Best Buy location in an exceptional location.
M L
As a customer, I expect to be treated with basic courtesy and respect, which was clearly lacking in this interaction. Does she know how to smile or Say " Thank you"? SERVICE MIND!!!
ethan southwark
I've shopped at Best Buy a few times, both online and in-store. They've got a massive range of tech stuff — laptops, TVs, phones, accessories — pretty much anything tech-related. Lots of items are in stock and the prices are pretty competitive. The good points: There's a wide selection of electronics, and the product info and comparison tools are really good. Geek Squad is great for tech support and installations. The staff in-store are usually friendly and know their stuff. The My Best Buy rewards programme gives you points and access to special deals. Cons: The usual 15-day return policy only applies to regular customers — unless you pay for a membership plan (Best Buy Plus or Total) to get longer to return items. I had a delayed order that was marked "in stock" but shipped 4 days late without any warning. I bought a laptop that was open-box and it didn't come with some essential parts (like the power cable and manual), and I wasn't told this before I bought it. Customer service on the phone can be slow and often not much help, especially when you're trying to sort out an order.
How to reach Best Buy
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Website: None
Why Best Buy may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at this place with your friends?
Gathering friends and family at Best Buy offers more than just a typical shopping trip — it’s an immersive social experience filled with discovery, interaction, and shared enjoyment of the latest technology. Best Buy has transformed from a conventional electronics retailer into a vibrant destination where guests can explore cutting-edge gadgets, enjoy interactive demonstrations, and learn from expert staff together. Whether you’re tech enthusiasts eager to test new devices or casual visitors curious about the latest home appliances or gaming consoles, this store provides an engaging environment perfect for communal exploration. Unlike online shopping or quick pickups, visiting Best Buy allows your group to physically connect with products, stimulate lively discussions about features and options, and enjoy hands-on encounters that create memorable moments. With dedicated brand areas, product showcases, and specialty shops, the store offers diverse content appealing to a wide range of interests, making it an excellent locale for a group outing that is both educational and entertaining. Best Buy isn’t just about buying electronics — it’s about sharing experiences, sparking inspiration, and enjoying a day out together in a tech playground built for all ages and tastes.
What activities can you enjoy at Best Buy with your group?
Best Buy’s carefully curated environments let groups dive into a variety of activities that bring everyone together. First, the Experience Store concept features immersive demo areas where you and your friends can try out the newest TVs, sound systems, laptops, and gaming devices. These hands-on zones allow you to compare top brands side by side, such as Sony and Samsung TVs, with the same content playing on each screen to get a real feel for picture quality and performance. This side-by-side comparison is especially great for tech-savvy groups who love debating and testing specs before making choices. Beyond entertainment tech, there are product zones for home appliances, smart home gadgets, and wearable technology that appeal to practical interests, giving your group plenty to explore together.
In addition, many Best Buy stores include specialty shops such as the Camera Experience Shop and brand-specific sections like the Apple Shop, Windows Store, or Samsung Experience Shop. These areas offer personalized assistance from trained specialists who can answer questions, demonstrate product features, and help your group understand how the latest innovations fit into your daily lives. Whether you’re photography buffs sharing tips or gamers scouting the next console, having experts on hand adds a collaborative, workshop-like atmosphere to your meetup.
Best Buy also offers services like Geek Squad support, where groups curious about tech maintenance and setup can get insider advice or even schedule assistance. For friends who appreciate convenience and modern retail tech, the 24/7 locker pickups and innovative in-store labeling technology with QR codes enhance the shopping experience, making it smooth and interactive. For customers who want to combine home design with technology, some Best Buy locations now feature an Ikea “shop-in-shop” format showcasing stylized kitchen and laundry setups, adding a home lifestyle dimension to the visit. Altogether, these diverse activities blend to create a lively, dynamic experience that suits groups looking for entertainment, education, and social connection.
Why is Best Buy ideal for a group meetup?
Best Buy’s layout and offerings are specifically designed to cater to groups, enhancing social interaction rather than solo shopping. The spacious store designs, especially the new Experience Stores, provide open pathways and multiple interactive stations that encourage exploration side by side. Unlike many crowded retail environments, the store atmosphere invites lingering and discovery — your group can split up to visit different specialty areas, then regroup to share findings and opinions, fostering rich discussions and collective learning.
The presence of dedicated areas for brands and new tech categories means everyone in your group finds something tailored to their interest, whether it’s gaming, photography, home automation, or audio systems. This diversity supports varied personalities and hobbies, keeping all attendees engaged. Plus, Best Buy’s knowledgeable staff serve as a resource for groups, offering tailored advice, demonstrations, and troubleshooting that turns a shopping trip into a collaborative tech workshop.
Moreover, Best Buy actively embraces technology that facilitates group-friendly shopping, such as interactive electronic shelf labels and QR codes allowing instant access to product details, reviews, and videos—all accessible right on your phone, making decision-making a joint activity. The newest stores also incorporate pickup lockers and curbside services, so groups can shop efficiently without splitting up or waiting long. The incorporation of Ikea showrooms within select stores further extends the appeal by adding relatable lifestyle content that can spark conversations outside pure electronics, ideal for groups planning home improvements or design projects.
What makes the Best Buy Experience Store concept so special for social visits?
Best Buy Experience Stores are revolutionary in how they blend retail with entertainment and education. They transform shopping from a transactional activity into an inspirational event, encouraging visitors to see, touch, test, and learn together. For a group meetup, this creates a unique opportunity to engage with the latest technology in a hands-on way—ideal for those who value experiential learning and want to make informed decisions as a team.
The stores showcase premium audio, home theater setups, and luxury appliances alongside everyday tech, enabling groups to dream, debate, and experiment with products in real settings. Dedicated demo zones that allow simultaneous side-by-side product comparisons make this setting perfect for friends or family members who enjoy in-depth tech evaluations. The inclusion of curated brand areas and custom installation services adds layers of sophistication and personalization for those interested in home automation or entertainment system upgrades.
By actively encouraging interaction and discovery, Experience Stores cultivate an energetic atmosphere where groups can actively engage, sharing reactions and insights in real time. This social dynamic educates and excites in equal measure, turning technology shopping into a memorable group activity. The open layout and integration with expert advice eliminate barriers and doubts, making it easier for groups to collaborate and come away with confidence in their choices.
How does Best Buy combine technology and convenience for groups?
Best Buy has invested heavily in technology solutions that streamline the in-store experience and enhance group shopping. One key innovation is the use of Luxer One lockers, which provide secure 24/7 product pickup. This means friends or family members can order items online together, then conveniently collect purchases at their own pace when gathered at the store, without standing in long checkout lines or rushing each other. This flexibility supports a relaxed gathering where convenience meets efficiency.
Inside the store, electronic shelf labels that update pricing and product information automatically ensure your group sees the most current data, fostering well-informed decisions without confusion or the need to find staff constantly. Digital QR codes on these labels allow immediate access to video demos, specs, and customer reviews on smartphones, turning shopping into an interactive and digital-savvy experience that is both fun and educational for tech-literate groups.
Additionally, Best Buy’s integration with services like Geek Squad supports group tech needs beyond the store visit, enabling you to arrange tech installations, repairs, or training sessions together. The company’s commitment to staff retention ensures expert and friendly associates are available to assist groups throughout their visit, making it seamless to ask questions, get recommendations, or test various products at length.
What unique partnerships add to the Best Buy group experience?
Recent partnerships enhance Best Buy’s appeal as a group destination, most notably the collaboration with Ikea. Select stores now feature Ikea "shop-in-shop" mini showrooms that blend consumer electronics with home furnishing displays, such as kitchens and laundry setups styled to inspire. This innovative format elevates the retail experience by offering groups a dual-purpose outing that combines tech shopping with home design exploration.
This co-investment creates a one-stop destination where your group can browse smart home appliances alongside stylish furniture and décor, discussing functional setups and aesthetic preferences together in a hands-on manner. It caters to groups planning home projects, moving into new spaces, or simply enjoying browsing contemporary lifestyle solutions in tandem with innovative technology. The curated environment encourages interaction, discovery, and collaboration on practical but enjoyable endeavors.
By merging Best Buy’s technology expertise with Ikea’s design leadership, this partnership broadens the scope of what a group meetup can involve—moving beyond conventional electronics shopping to a multi-dimensional experience that satisfies tech, design, and lifestyle interests simultaneously. This trend signals how Best Buy continually evolves to meet customers’ changing preferences and social shopping habits.
In conclusion, Best Buy is much more than a retail outlet—it is a dynamic, interactive destination perfectly suited for friends and families looking to connect around technology, lifestyle, and shared learning. Its innovative store concepts, broad product range, expert guidance, and convenient services make it an ideal venue for group meetups where discovery, fun, and practicality come together. Whether you gather to explore the latest gadgets, design a smart home, or simply enjoy an entertaining day out, Best Buy offers abundant opportunities to engage, collaborate, and create lasting memories.