As an avid Lego fan, I‘ve been building Lego City sets for over 10 years. With over 1,350 sets produced since 1978, Lego City inspires creativity with its modular buildings, vehicles and minifigures that let you construct a vibrant metropolis.
In this guide, I‘ll help you discover the 6 best Lego City sets to match your specific needs and interests. I‘ve handpicked top sets across different categories, outlining all the key details like number of pieces, ages, prices and play features that you‘ll want to know.
Let‘s dive in and find the perfect Lego City set for you!
Best Overall: Main Square
If you want an iconic set that lets you build a lively downtown center straight out of your favorite Lego City Adventures episodes, Main Square is your top choice. Packed with over 1,500 pieces, you get to construct buildings like the Town Hall, a classic diner and Lego store.
I love that this set comes with 14 minifigures and a vibrant assortment of vehicles like a tram, limousine and helicopter that encourage creative play. Since it is on the larger side with all those pieces, I‘d recommend it for Lego fans ages 8+ or as a fun build for adult fans.
Here are all the fast facts on this expertly designed set:
- Year Released: 2021
- Pieces: 1,517 pieces
- Minifigures: 14
- Ages: 8+
- Buildings: City Hall, Diner, Lego Store, Park
- Vehicles: Tram, limo, helicopter
- Price: $199.99
Let‘s compare some pros and cons of this stellar set so you know what to expect:
Pros
- Construct an entire lively downtown
- Iconic city buildings and vehicles
- Great parts mix for creative play
- Detailed structures for display
Cons
- Over 1,500 pieces makes it complex for younger kids
- Requires substantial space for play and storage
For the ultimate in creative city building possibilities, you can‘t go wrong with the Main Square set. Grab it on Amazon here.
Most Unique: Mars Exploration Vehicle
If you want to boldly build where no Lego City set has gone before, the Mars Exploration Vehicle delivers an interactive, out-of-this-world experience.
Released in 2022, this set comes with a cool custom Mars spaceship model that you can customize and rebuild on exciting missions using the Lego Building Instructions app on your mobile device or tablet. How awesome is that?
In addition to the 3 included astronaut minifigs, you also get pieces to construct a Mars rover vehicle, Mars landscape and two asteroids for stellar space playscapes.
Let‘s check out the key details on this awesome set:
- Year Released: 2022
- Pieces: 286
- Minifigures: 3 astronaut minifigs
- Ages: 7+
- Spaceship Features: Customizable design, completes VR missions via app
- Price: $29.99
Pros
- Unique Mars spaceship theme
- Interactive play via app
- Fully customizable spaceship
Cons
- Doesn‘t include printed building instructions
To launch an out-of-this world building adventure, intercept the Mars Exploration Vehicle set here on Amazon.
Largest Set: LEGO City Square
When it comes to size, no Lego City set even comes close to the LEGO City Square. This now retired set has an unrivaled 1,683 pieces, letting you construct an absolutly enormous city block.
Released in 2015, the set allows you to build iconic structures like a Lego Store, car dealership and tram station, plus vehicles like cars, trucks and a functioning tram. With 12 included minifigs, the roleplay fun never ends in this bustling modular set!
Here‘s an overview of what is included in this city fan‘s dream set:
- Year Released: 2015
- Pieces: 1,683 pieces
- Minifigures: 12
- Ages: 10+
- Buildings: Tram station, Lego store, dealership, coffee shop
- Vehicles: Tram, trucks, cars
Pros
- Greatest piece count of any Lego City set
- Range of buildings and vehicles
- Iconic retired set
Cons
- Challenging build requiring big time commitment
- Need very large display space
- Pricey due to retirement
As the largest Lego City set ever produced, this is a must-have for serious collectors. Given its collector value, retired sets can sell over $500 but you may still be able to find one on Amazon here.
Best Set for Animal Lovers: Wildlife Rescue
For animal lovers, the Wildlife Rescue set brings all new brick-built creatures into the city with its rescue theme. You‘ll have a roaring good time building the vet clinic, rescue vehicles and brick-built animals.
Released in 2021, this set has 525 pieces including a pretty great mix of buildings, vehicles and animals. Use the lever to activate the falling tree and rock wall to dramatize the rescue mission!
Here‘s what you get in this thrill-filled set:
- Year Released: 2021
- Pieces: 525
- Minifigs: 4
- Buildings: Vet clinic, rescue lookout
- Vehicles: Helicopter, tracked carrier
- Animals: Elephant, crocodile, two monkeys
- Features: Lever-activated rock wall
- Price: $98.99
Pros
- Perfect choice for animal lovers
- Great mix of animals, buildings and vehicles
- Cool dynamic rock wall feature
Cons
- Doesn‘t contain regular City sets pieces
To help rescue brick-built wildlife in need, check out this set on Amazon here.
Best City Train: Cargo Train
All aboard the best Lego train in town! With over 1,200 pieces, the Cargo Train set delivers everything you need for motorized train play.
Released in 2019, this set lets you build an awesome train with Powered Up motorization so it actually travels around the 36 included track pieces. You can even control it via the remote or app!
Four railcars and a motorbike ramp car make up the set along with assorted minifigs and vehicles like forklifts. At over 3 feet long, it is most suited to kids ages 8+ with its complex build.
All aboard these great features:
- Year Released: 2019
- Pieces: 1,226 pieces
- Minifigs: 7
- Powered Up Features: Remote/app-controllable train
- Track Pieces: 36
- Rail Cars: 4 cars plus locomotive
- Motorbike Features: Ramp car
- Price: $399.95
Pros
- Fully motorized train that runs via Powered Up
- Huge set with 4 train cars
- App or remote controlled
Cons
- Time intensive set up and take down
- Substantial storage space needed
Bring LEGO City to life with this motorized marvel and order yours on Amazon here before they run out!
Best for Display: Rocket Launch Center
I‘m absolutely obsessed with the gorgeous design detailing of the Rocket Launch Center – it looks like it rolled right off a NASA launch set!
Released in 2021, you can practically picture the countdown as you put together the 1,010 piece build featuring the rocket, launch tower, observatories and control centers. It delivers an incredibly realistic model thanks to all its intricate NASA-inspired features.
Let‘s launch into the specifics on this set:
- Year Released: 2021
- Pieces: 1,010
- Minifigs: 7
- Buildings: Rocket tower, observatory, control center
- Vehicles: Rocket, rover, drone
- Height: Over 16 inches assembled
- Price: $199.99
Pros
- Incredibly detailed NASA-inspired model
- Features cool rover and drone vehicles
- Great for display
Cons
- Substantial height requires ample display space
If you love sets you can proudly put on display, add this beauty to your collection now.
How To Pick The Best Lego City Set For YOU
With so many amazing Lego City sets to choose from, it can be tricky to decide. Here are my top tips for picking your perfect set match:
Consider Your Age
- Lego sets have suggested ages, typically 6+, but some larger sets work better for older kids and adults
Think About Display Space
- Make sure you have room to build and store bigger sets with 1,000+ pieces
Compare Piece Counts
- More pieces generally means longer, more complex builds
Know Your Budget
- Lego City set prices range widely from $30 – $400
Prioritize Play Features
- Interactive elements like powered trains or light bricks add play value
Focus on Display Factor
- Some sets like the Rocket Launch Center have intricately detailed builds perfect for proud display
Use the comparison chart above to narrow down your best Lego City set match!
Let‘s Summarize Our Top Lego City Pick
| Rank | Set | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Main Square | Best Overall | Iconic buildings, 1,500 pieces |
| #2 | Mars Vehicle | Most Unique | App-connected play |
| #3 | City Square | Biggest Set | 1,683 pieces |
| #4 | Wildlife Rescue | Animal Lovers | Animal figures |
| #5 | Cargo Train | Best Train | Motorized train |
| #6 | Rocket Launch | Collector‘s Display | NASA-inspired model |
I hope this guide has helped match you to your perfect Lego City set! Let me know if you have any other questions. Now get out there and start building your brick city masterpiece!
