We want to love IKEA. Instead, we have a very tepid relationship. Our journey to IKEA always begins with great expectations of bargains, weird cafeteria munchies, and unique experiences. But it always ends with exhaustion, hunger, and a car full of items that we probably didn’t need to buy– that now have to be put together piece, by Swedish piece.
Our nearest IKEA is just over 2 hours away, which doesn’t promote any lovey-dovey feelings. When we head out, we have to plan for a day long journey. Typically, we eat breakfast and hit the road, arriving at IKEA around 10am.
This store is MASSIVE. The navigation through each department is horribly confusing. IKEA offers a play-space to leave your kids as you shop, to perhaps ease your fraying nerves. But we’ve never taken advantage of it. We have a thing about entrusting our children to strangers. We don’t.
So by the time we’ve taken a circuitous path through one floor, we’re ready for a lunch break. IKEA’s cafeteria is incredibly well priced. But if you are a vegetarian, you won’t find much to eat. And if you are a vegan, you’ll starve. Keep in mind that there is nothing preventing you from bringing your own food and using the cafeteria tables to dine comfortably.
Tip: There is a new national “family” program at IKEA. It will open up savings on select items, afford you 2 for 1 ice cream cones from the lower level café, kids-eat-free days in the cafeteria, and free coffee somewhere within IKEA. We never found the free coffee and employees seemed equally confused about where it was located. We really wish we had found the free coffee.
It takes us about 2 hours (not including lunch) to make our way through IKEA. And we are always beyond ready to leave at that point in time. We won’t be returning to IKEA, with our children in tow, anytime soon. It is just not a kid friendly experience , especially when coupled with the long drive.
We recommend IKEA for anyone over the age of 10, that can endure a bizarre mall atmosphere, and all the associated interactions with strangers. Just remember to bring a very large car, a ton of energy, and more money than you budgeted.