C'mon Barbie, let's go party with these 3 perfectly pink experiences
The "Barbie" movie rolls into theaters (on pink roller skates, we presume) on July 21, 2023.
Finally, lifelong Barbie fans and Barbie-obsessed children alike will have the chance to see Barbie, Ken and all of their friends come to life. As excited as we are for this cinematic masterpiece, we are equally thrilled that there are real-life experiences where we can join Barbie in her carefree world of pink corvettes and dreamhouses.
We may never have her impeccable fashion sense or impressive multi-hyphen career. However, we can step into her mile-high plastic heels at these three Barbie-themed experiences across the U.S.
The Malibu Barbie Cafe
Have you ever thought to yourself, "What does Barbie like to eat for lunch?" You'll find the answer at the Malibu Barbie Cafe. This immersive pop-up cafe is now serving Barbie-themed dishes in New York and will open in Chicago on July 5, 2023. Both locations are currently showing availability through mid-September.
Pricing for the Malibu Barbie Cafe varies based on the date and time. However, your ticket includes a 90-minute table reservation and your choice of one entree and one side item. Additional appetizers, drinks and desserts are available for purchase, as is Barbie-themed merchandise. Menu items include Malibu Barbie-inspired fare like a Beachside Breakfast Burrito, a West Coast Wedge Salad and a Think Pink Margarita.
During your visit, you can snap photos inside a life-size Barbie box and at the Chicago location, you can pay an additional fee to rent roller skates and try out your best moves on the roller rink.
World of Barbie
Play out your childhood Barbie fantasies in real life at the World of Barbie experience in Santa Monica, California. It's about a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Tour Barbie's iconic dreamhouse, take a spin in her decked-out camper van and "try on" some of Barbie's most popular careers by stepping inside life-size Barbie boxes and themed spaces inspired by Barbie's talents as a musician, astronaut, scientist, athlete and all-around scene-stealer.
Related: 'World of Barbie' experience making US debut this spring in Los Angeles
World of Barbie tickets start at $34.50 for adults and $25.50 for children ages 1 to 12. Discounts are available for students, first responders, guests ages 65 and older and military members. For an additional fee, you can customize an outfit for your own Barbie from the "Build It Barbie" doll closet or have your hair professionally styled in one of Barbie's many iconic hairstyles.
The Trixie Motel
Trixie Mattel is many things – a singer, actor, drag queen, winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" season 3 and owner of the Trixie Motel in Palm Springs, California.
The Trixie Motel is a bona fide pink paradise, with pink rafts floating in the pool, pink paint on almost any wall that can be painted, cheeky pink decor and over-the-top themed suites that you will not for one second mistake for the run-of-the-mill rooms at most hotel chains.
Related: Atomic Bombshells and Yeehaw Cowgirls: My stay at the drag queen-owned Trixie Motel in Palm Springs
For the ultimate Barbie experience, we recommend the Malibu Barbara Room. However, if you fancy yourself more of a cowgirl Barbie or astronaut Barbie, The Trixie Motel has a room for you, too. The motel has three rooms, three suites and a honeymoon suite. Prices start at around $400 per night, plus taxes and fees.
Bottom line
Life in plastic may be fantastic, but we prefer the real thing. At these three Barbie-inspired destinations, you don't have to settle for playing pretend. You can live out your wildest Barbie dreams and get even more excited about the "Barbie" movie.
Related reading:
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
- The 18 best places to travel in 2023
- The best travel credit cards
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.