9 of the Coolest Toy Stores in America
Bring the kids to some of the most fun and exciting toy stores in the US. On the List: the largest, the most unique and the some of the oldest toy stores in the country! These colossal and unique toy stores will have you feeling like a kid again. With interactive toys, dedicated play spaces and original playtime favorites that can’t be found anywhere else—you won’t want to miss out these top 10 toy stores in America. Kids and adults both will find something exciting to explore inside each store, and it’s free entertainment! If you find yourself in one of these cities next vacation, these toy stores offer you a chance to explore the latest toys, browse excellent collections new and old and squeeze in a little play time. Check out the best toy stores that made the list:
1. The Fun-est Toy Store Ever! – Ephrata, Pennsylvania
The Fun-est Toy Store Ever! is one of the most unique specialty toy stores in the country with gifts and games for all ages—infants to teens. This toy store offers puppets, craft kits, art supplies, building sets and high quality brands like Melissa and Doug and Green Toys. They also carry educational games and have a comic book and paperback section. You can play in the store on Flying Turtles and Peddle Carts and shop around for toys you won’t be able to find anywhere else. What makes this store such a great place for kids and adults is the Pinky La Rue boutique with clothes for women. The Fun-est Toy Store Ever! is located on 24 E Main Street in Ephrata, Pennsylvania just outside Lancaster. It is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm, Fridays 10 am to 6 pm. It closes on Sunday and Monday.
2. FAO Schwarz – New York City, New York
FAO Schwarz is the famed toy store featured in the movie “BIG”, where Tom Hanks—a boy trapped inside a man’s body—plays the giant piano keys with his feet. It was founded in 1862 and contains a vast collection of high-end toys that are often unique only to this store! There are puzzles, dolls, oversized stuffed animals and action games from all your favorite characters like Caillou and Hello Kitty. What makes this place great is their fantastic customer service and real-life Toy Soldiers stationed at the entrance. Kids and adults will love a look around just for the atmosphere of fun. You can even have breakfast with a Toy Soldier and walk through with a guide for a 45 minute tour about the history of the place. FAO Schwarz is located in Manhattan at 767 5th Avenue. It is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm or Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm.
3. Charles Ro Supply Company — Malden, Massachusetts
Charles Ro Supply Co. is the world’s largest Lionel dealer and the largest Train Store in America! This place is a train collector’s haven with a vast selection and reasonable prices. You can find G, O, O27, S, HO & N scale model sets and supplies for all your hobby needs. The staff is eager to help and experts at this stuff—they know their trains! This is a great place to take a look around on the second floor to see the trains set up come to life. Huge train sets can be seen on display throughout the store, so kids who love trains must see this. Charles Ro Supply and Company is located at 662 Cross Street in Malden Massachusetts just outside of Boston. It is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, Friday from 9 am to 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Extended hours are offered during the holiday season.
4. Toys R Us – Times Square, New York City, New York
In the heart of NYC at the happening Times Square “The World’s Greatest Toy Store” can be found. Some claim that Toys R Us in New York with all its 110,000 square feet of toys and games for all ages is the best toy store in the US. It certainly is an enormous collection of toys that draws hundreds of thousands to visit annually. Inside you will find a 60 foot Ferris Wheel, a giant T-Rex and a life-sized Barbie house to impress all the little ones. This toy store is one of the top attractions in the city for children that boasts a world of fun for everyone. Check the listings for special events with characters like Spiderman and shop around for the hottest brands and toys on the market! Toys R Us is located at 1514 Broadway at 44th in New York City. It opens from Sunday to Thursday 10 a to 10 pm or Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 11 pm.
5. Ambassador Toys – San Francisco, California
Ambassador Toys is an award winning shop in San Francisco with high quality and specialty toys alike. You will find some of the most unique classic and educational products that come from all around the globe and make learning fun! Each toy is picked for safety and durability—so you can rest easy knowing you are getting top quality products and fantastic brands that your kids will really enjoy. Toys can be found for all ages and the store itself makes for a unique place to look around with a cool dark full of science kits in the back. Ambassador Toys is located at 186 W Portal Avenue in San Francisco. It is open Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm.
6. LARK Toys — Kellogg, Minnesota
LARK Toys in Kellogg offers you the most unique and original selection of toys on our entire top toy store list. That is because LARK Toys sells remarkable heirloom toys hand-crafted from wood. It’s one of the largest family run specialty toy stores in this state, voted best toy store in Minnesota! What really makes a trip to this toy store worth it for you and the kids is the 18 Hole Mini Golf course onsite. Who could resist a game of mini-golf? Kids will also love to take a ride on the carved wooden carousel. They also offer handmade fudge, an Antique Toy Museum and large book store. To visit LARK Toys, head to Lark Lane in Kellogg, Minnesota. It’s open January and February from 10 am to 5 pm Friday through Sunday. Hours change seasonally so check the website for extended hours.
7. The LEGO Store – Chicago, Illinois
Another great favorite toy store is The LEGO Store in downtown Chicago. Located on the Magnificent Mile, The LEGO Store is more than just a place to find the latest and greatest LEGO sets—it’s an experience filled with life-sized statues and mini architecture from Willis Tower to the White House. There is a designated play area so kids can have a hands-on experience. Inside you will see statues of favorite movies and characters from Star Wars to Disney Princesses. These LEGO sets will not disappoint or you can even fill up on an assorted tub—the classic way to go! To see the LEGO Store, just stop into Water Tower Place at 835 N Michigan Avenue on the Mag Mile in Chicago. It’s open Monday thorugh Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm.
8. Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts – Portland, Oregon
Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts in downtown Portland, Oregon makes for the perfect place for adults to shop around and let the mind wander back into the days of their youth. This place is quite nostalgic like that! The Finnegan Toys claim to fame is that they have been, “making aunts and uncles cool since 1977” and it’s easy to see why! This store is just fun to be inside and kids will find the most unique toys to browse with science kits and building sets that range from a miniature sustainable home and wind turbine kit to a play-mobile pyramid. Finnegan’s also has stuffed animals, doll houses, instruments, ride-on-toys, art supplies—even Sea Monkeys! For the place that has it all, head to 820 SW Washington Street in Portland. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sundays 11 am to 5 pm.
9. Smart Toys and Books — Knoxville, Tennessee
Smart Toys and Books in Knoxville is a great place to take the kids for not only toys but art classes and storytime! This place offers events and stocks high quality games, toys and books that inspire imaginative thinking and stimulate learning. The hands-on displays also give kids a chance to play with toys inside the store and pick out their favorites. There is much for both children and adults to explore in a fun and friendly atmosphere—dolls, science sets, and arts & crafts. They also have a very knowledgeable staff on hand to help you pick out just what you are looking for. Smart Toys and Books is located at 9700 Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm.
What’s your kids favorite toy store? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
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