Anyone who thinks that kites are boring (and terribly passé) should visit this specialty toy store on Grant Street in the heart of Chinatown. Sure, they’ve got old-fashioned diamond and box kites. But the inventory also includes fantastical fliers of every shape and color—giant pink “Floyd” flamingo kites, dueling Red Baron and Sopwith Camel kites, shark and dolphin kites, and speedy competition stunt kites.
For more information: Chinatown Kite Shop
A Chicago web site describes this store as “like walking into an 8-year-old’s garage sale.” And indeed there is tons of junk—gimmicks, gags, games and hundreds of other novelty items, including classic bobbleheads and PEZ dispensers.
For more information: Uncle Fun
America’s largest train shop is located in a block-long, redbrick replica of an old-time railroad station in suburban Boston. Ro also makes its own large-scale trains and offers a repair service for broken choo choos. The store also boasts a large operating layout and a Thomas The Tank Engine section for younger train buffs.
From beads and marbles to paintball and plastic models, this New Jersey landmark covers just about every toy-related hobby there is. Science kits, telescopes and school project supplies round out an outstanding educational selection. And given the fact that Hobbymasters is now 100% solar powered, the store also features New Age “green” hobbies like hydroponics, fuel cell and hydrogen model car kits, and climate change toys.
For more information: Hobbymasters
Opened in 1948 as a small doll repair shop, the Doll Hospital has grown into one of the metro Detroit area’s largest and most diverse toy stores. The workshop has repaired more than a quarter million collectible and antique dolls in the past half century, while the Parent Teacher Resource Center specializes in educational toys and activities.
For more information: The Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop
One of the oldest and largest indie toy stores in the nations stocks more than 20,000 different play things in a huge space across the river from Cincinnati. The store also features an indoor theme park and birthday party venue.
For more information: Johnny's Toys
Located in the Marquette Mall, the Mile Zone specializes in die-cast vehicles of every shape and size. Matchbox, Johnny Lightning and Hot Wheels are the best sellers, but the shop stocks toy cars and trucks from around the globe.
For more information: Mile Zone
Nestled near the shore of Lake Champlain, “VTB” churns out nearly half a million bears each year in more than a hundred different styles from classic Teddies to holiday, birthday and sports models to a whole line of “bears with attitude” that includes redneck, rocker, jailhouse and leather-clad biker bruins. In addition to a retail store, the complex includes a bear museum, the Hungry Bear Café and 30-minute factory tours.
For more information: Vermont Teddy Bear Factory & Bear Shop
Prehistoric beasts are the forte of this suburban Los Angeles toy shop, which also stocks a range of non-dinosaur toys and games. As with real life, T-Rex is the king of this imaginary forest. But there’s also a “Purple Room” with toys based on the good-natured plant eaters and nurturing mother dinos that appeal to little girls.
For more information: The Dinosaur Farm
Founded by German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz in 1870, the FAO flagship store pioneered the concept of a toy store as a destination where kids and their parents could spend hours wandering the aisles and ogling toys. The Fifth Avenue icon features the giant piano from Big and one of the world’s most dazzling doll selections.
For more information: FAO Schwarz