Steinway & Sons Factory
Discover the artistry behind the world's most iconic pianos at the Steinway & Sons Factory. Witness unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, ideal for tours.
Steinway & Sons Factory
Best Time
Fewer crowds, ideal for tours.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the artistry behind the world's most iconic pianos at the Steinway & Sons Factory. Witness unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation.
"A must-visit for pianists and music lovers to witness the creation of legendary instruments."
🎯 Book Tours in Advance
Factory tours are popular and fill up fast. Book your spot weeks ahead to avoid disappointment!
📸 Respect Photo Rules
Photography is limited in some areas. Listen to your guide for photo-friendly zones.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Art of Piano Craftsmanship
Factory Floor
Witness the meticulous process of building a Steinway piano, from raw wood to a finished masterpiece. A true blend of tradition and innovation.
Exquisite Wood Veneers
Showroom
Marvel at the stunning variety of rare and beautiful wood veneers used in Steinway's iconic instruments, like the Crown Jewel Collection.
The Spirio Experience
Showroom
See and hear the Steinway Spirio, a high-resolution player piano that brings performances to life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Factory Tour Early
Photography Restrictions
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tours in Advance
Factory tours are popular and fill up fast. Book your spot weeks ahead to avoid disappointment!
📸 Respect Photo Rules
Photography is limited in some areas. Listen to your guide for photo-friendly zones.
🎧 Wear Provided Goggles
Safety first! Goggles are provided and required for factory floor navigation.
🎶 For the Music Lover
A must-visit for pianists and music enthusiasts to see piano artistry.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tours in Advance
Factory tours are popular and fill up fast. Book your spot weeks ahead to avoid disappointment!
📸 Respect Photo Rules
Photography is limited in some areas. Listen to your guide for photo-friendly zones.
🎧 Wear Provided Goggles
Safety first! Goggles are provided and required for factory floor navigation.
🎶 For the Music Lover
A must-visit for pianists and music enthusiasts to see piano artistry.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the fascinating and in-depth Steinway factory tours, highlighting the incredible craftsmanship and the blend of tradition and technology. The showroom is praised for its stunning pianos and the impressive Spirio player piano. However, some reviewers express significant frustration with customer service responsiveness regarding technician appointments and inquiries.
"I’m so frustrated about their service. I tried to schedule a technician to fix my piano many times through a website, my sales representative for a month, but I never got the message back. I left the voice message but no feedback. This is awful.
They sent me an advertisement email about the regular service application after few days, and we replied the email, but again no answer.
Margo Hanzel is the contact person. This person never answers.
Do they treat customer equally? Do they discriminating customer?
Steinway is the prestigious piano brand and I love the sound, but the way they are handling the customer service is just terrible."
JJ
"My name is Benjamín Ferrer, and I am a piano technician from South America, specifically Chile. I am writing to you to inquire about the possibility of accessing professional training and obtaining official certification as an authorized technician from Steinway & Sons.
I currently hold a training certificate issued by a teacher affiliated with the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG), and I would like to know if this certification is valid as a basis for applying for formal training or certification from Steinway & Sons.
I would greatly appreciate your guidance regarding the requirements, procedures, and opportunities available for international technicians.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Benjamín Ferrer"
Pianos Ferrer
"I was studying piano tuning and this is a lovely place to get to see how Steinway produces their pianos. I feel every pianist/musician needs to come here. It's great to see the different stages of building a piano to the tuning stage. We met and saw lovely wood crafts and saw beautiful, intricate designs for pianos as well. There is a wait to book to go - so definitely sign up sooner. They provide the goggles to walk around the factory and there's a tour guide who is happy to answer your questions."
Gisel A Costa
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Steinway & Sons Factory is located in Astoria, Queens, New York City. It's accessible via public transportation, including subway lines. Many visitors opt for a taxi or rideshare service for direct access.
The Steinway & Sons Factory address is 1 Steinway Place, Astoria, NY 11105.
Parking availability can be limited. It's often recommended to use public transport or rideshare services. Check with the factory directly for the most current parking information.
While the primary way to experience the factory is through guided tours, the showroom is generally accessible for viewing their pianos.
From Manhattan, you can take the N or W subway lines to the Broadway station in Astoria, which is a short walk from the factory. Alternatively, a taxi or rideshare is a convenient option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Steinway factory tours can be booked through their official website. It's highly recommended to book well in advance as tours are popular and have limited slots.
Tour pricing can vary. It's best to check the official Steinway & Sons website for the most up-to-date information on ticket prices and any associated fees.
Tours are typically offered on specific days, often midweek mornings like Tuesdays and Thursdays. Always check the official Steinway website for the current tour schedule.
While not always explicitly stated, tours involve walking and factory environments. It's advisable to check with Steinway & Sons directly regarding any age recommendations or restrictions.
It is highly unlikely to get tickets on the day of the tour due to high demand. Booking in advance is essential.
🎫 🎶 Onsite Experience
The tour is a comprehensive 3-hour journey through the history and manufacturing process of Steinway pianos, showcasing both artisanal craftsmanship and modern technology. You'll see everything from wood selection to final assembly.
Photography is restricted in certain areas of the factory for proprietary reasons. Your tour guide will clearly indicate where photos are permitted.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Steinway provides safety goggles for all visitors to wear while on the factory floor.
The factory tour typically lasts around three hours, offering an in-depth look at the piano-making process.
Yes, the Steinway showroom often features the Spirio, their high-resolution player piano, allowing you to experience its capabilities.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Steinway & Sons Factory primarily focuses on piano manufacturing and showroom experiences. There are typically no dining facilities on-site. However, the surrounding Astoria neighborhood offers a wide array of restaurants and cafes.
It's generally not permitted to bring food and drinks into the factory tour areas to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the manufacturing environment.
Astoria is known for its diverse culinary scene. You can find Greek, Italian, and various other cuisines within a short distance from the factory.
📸 📸 Photography
While photography is restricted in production areas, the showroom offers beautiful opportunities to photograph the stunning pianos, especially those with unique veneers.
Yes, you can generally take photos of the pianos in the showroom. However, it's always polite to ask if you're unsure or if there are specific displays that might be sensitive.
The sheer beauty and craftsmanship of the pianos themselves, particularly the intricate details and luxurious wood finishes, make for iconic shots.
A versatile lens that can capture both wide shots of the showroom and detailed close-ups of the piano craftsmanship would be ideal.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider the showroom as a more accessible option if a full factory tour seems too long. Here, kids can marvel at the beautiful pianos and perhaps even witness the magic of the Steinway Spirio player piano. It's a chance to expose them to the world of high-quality music and craftsmanship in a visually stimulating environment.
🎶 Musicians and Piano Enthusiasts
Experiencing the Steinway showroom and the Spirio player piano is equally crucial. It's an opportunity to see and hear the culmination of their craft, to understand why Steinway pianos are the choice of so many concert artists. For those aspiring to own a Steinway, this visit offers invaluable insight into the investment and artistry behind each instrument.
✈️ International Visitors
Be prepared for the tour's duration (around three hours) and the need for comfortable footwear. While photography is restricted in some areas, the showroom offers ample opportunities to capture the beauty of Steinway pianos. For international piano technicians, there's also the possibility of inquiring about professional training and certification directly with Steinway & Sons.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Steinway Manufacturing Process: A Symphony of Craftsmanship
Key to the Steinway sound is the Diaphragmatic Soundboard, a specially designed spruce soundboard that is thicker in the center and tapers to the edges, allowing for a richer, more resonant tone. The Hexagrip wrestplank, made of multiple layers of hard rock maple, ensures tuning stability by holding the tuning pins securely. The Accelerated Action is another hallmark, providing a responsive and nuanced touch for the pianist. These proprietary designs and techniques are what give a Steinway piano its distinctive voice and feel.
While technology plays a role, the human element remains paramount. Skilled artisans, many of whom have dedicated their lives to the craft, perform tasks that require a delicate touch and deep understanding of acoustics and woodworking. The tour highlights this unique blend, showing how modern machinery assists, but never replaces, the skilled hands of the craftspeople. It's this dedication to quality and detail that has cemented Steinway's reputation as the ultimate piano.
Exploring the Steinway Showroom and Spirio
A significant highlight of the showroom experience is the Steinway Spirio, the world's finest high-resolution player piano. This remarkable technology allows you to experience live performances played by renowned artists directly through the piano itself. Imagine hearing your favorite pianist perform in your own home, with the piano's own hammers striking the strings.
Visitors can witness this surreal experience firsthand, where recorded performances come alive, demonstrating the piano's incredible dynamic range and tonal fidelity. Visiting the showroom offers a chance to appreciate the aesthetic as well as the sonic qualities of Steinway pianos. Whether you're a seasoned musician, a piano enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship, the showroom provides an inspiring environment to explore the legacy and innovation of Steinway & Sons.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit