62 Best Places to Shop in USA

True to its name, this Chinatown-based store is tons of fun! The top-quality, collectible products sold all embrace a sense of whimsy, from pop-culture figurines to stationery and creative building toys to gift items from the Palace Museum in Beijing. You can walk through this emporium multiple times and see new things at every turn.

An instant mood-lifter, this shop is chock-full of offbeat toys and novelty items that are certain to delight children of all ages.

Jam-packed with toys, games, and more bizarre novelty items than you could possibly imagine, this store benefits from the enthusiasm of owners Ken and Michele Gietz. Grab an offbeat gift for a friend (and some of the interesting candies for yourself).

Beware of sensory overload at the world's largest Disney superstore—where approximately half a million items are featured in a dozen rooms that fill 50,000 square feet. Theme shopping areas like the princess room (hello, Cinderella dress or Ariel costume) help steer you to just the right toys, clothing, collectibles, candy, housewares, photo frames, books, dresses, cookware, and collectible Disney pins. In large showrooms as well as themed nooks and crannies you'll find specialty items such as retro-style Disney dresses, Mickey hats, customized Disney items, and an overwhelming number of figurines, backpacks, mugs, candles, posters, and well, everything (including plenty of cashiers).

The brainchild of local author Dave Eggers is primarily a center established to help kids with their writing skills via writing programs, tutoring, and storytelling events. But the storefront is also "San Francisco's only independent pirate supply store," a quirky space filled with eye patches, spyglasses, and other pirate-themed paraphernalia. Eggers's quarterly journal, McSweeney's, and other publications are available here. Proceeds benefit the writing center.

On the center's storefront is an intricate mural designed by graphic novelist Chris Ware as a meditation on the evolution of human communication.

Remember when toys didn't require batteries or apps? This old-fashioned shop (for ages 10 and under) sparks children's imaginations with dress-up clothes, science-oriented gifts, picture books, and hand-painted wooden toys by brands like Poan and Haba.

Kiddos from just about everywhere arrive here with their signature dolls in tow. There's easily a day's worth of activities offered at American Girl Place—you can shop the doll boutiques, browse in the bookstore, get some pampering in the salon, and have lunch or afternoon tea at the café, where dolls can partake in the meal from their own "treat seats." Brace yourself for long lines just to get into the store during high shopping seasons.

Grade-school kids still love American Girl dolls, whose lines range from historical characters to contemporary characters, each with accompanying clothes and accessories. Bring your doll to this New York flagship in Rockefeller Plaza for a doll hairdressing salon, doll hospital, café, Dress Like Your Doll shop, design-your-own-doll station, and more.

Everyone from young kids to ardent collectors makes the pilgrimage to the showroom of this internationally renowned shop that's been hand-crafting whimsical dolls since 1934. Annalee's expressive mice are a top draw, but holiday figurines are also highly popular.

This merchandise cart across the walkway from the Country Bear Jamboree has Davy Crockett coonskin caps, cowboy hats like Woody wears in Toy Story, personalized sheriff's badges, and other gear that draws oohs and aahs from aspiring cowboys and cowgirls.

From cars and train sets to puzzles and musical instruments, Building Blocks carries classic toys designed to appeal to kids' natural curiosity and imagination—and they'll gift wrap them for you at no charge. In Wicker Park, stop by the store at  2130 West Division Street.

Even grown-ups will get sucked into this fun little shop. The harborside Captain Kid Toys brims with such fabulous toys, colorful trinkets, and artistic and educational kits, it's hard to say no.

This family-run shop has been selling bright, fun-shaped kites—dragons, butterflies, sharks—since the 1960s. There's a lot more than kites, too, with feng shui items, art tiles, and even iPhone cases that can go home as local souvenirs.

The shopkeepers here enjoy playing with the toys as much as their young customers do. This independent shop carries books, imported toys, games, and classics like marbles, dolls, and stuffed animals, as well as adorable clothing.

There's more than just run-of-the-mill board games at Cloud Cap. For children and grown-ups alike, the games here challenge the mind and provide hours of entertainment. There's a room with tables to play or try out a game, and game nights some evenings. The knowledgeable owners and staff may sit down and join in the fun and are always happy to answer questions and offer suggestions.

What's easily the cutest children's store in town carries wonderful handcrafted wooden toys, European figurines, works by local artists, and a variety of swoon-worthy, perfectly crafted little clothes. Even shoppers without children will be smitten—it's hard to resist the vintage French Tintin posters, knit-wool cow dolls, and classic figurines.

Although you can buy wines and beer steins in the Germany pavilion, they don't provide the warm, fuzzy feelings that the teddy bears on display here do. Bears (or "bärs") share the boutique with Rapunzel and Snow White snow globes and plush toys, Minnie dolls and figurines, and German confections.

Here you can build your very own droid, on a miniature scale at least. Upon arriving, choose between a BB-series (like BB-8) or R-series (like R2-D2), then select your own color scheme and accessories. Once built, droids can communicate with one another using Bluetooth technology or be driven by their owners with a remote control. Note that droids aren't cheap (prices start at $119.99), and, without a reservation made on the My Disney Experience app, expect a wait just to enter the store.

The educational gadgets sold here are so clever and engaging that kids won't know they're learning while playing. Space- and dinosaur-related games and toys are popular, as are robots, creative maker kits, and optical illusion gifts.

Famed toy retailer FAO Schwarz lives on in full, fun swing at 30 Rock, occupying 20,000 square feet of prime Midtown real estate. Explore the Build-a-Bear Workshop, play with cars on a racetrack, learn magic tricks, and tickle the oversize keys of the walk-on piano keyboard—featured in the 1988 Tom Hanks movie smash Big. The store's iconic clock tower is here, too, along with its famous life-size toy soldiers, a zillion stuffed animals, and a rocket-ship centerpiece.

Viking wannabes go crazy for the soft toy spears and shields. The plush seals are sweet for tots, and you can find Norwegian pewter, leather goods, and colorful woolen sweaters and knit caps, along with a wide variety of character goods from the hit movie Frozen. The shop's larger-than-life troll is always ready for a selfie.

This family-run toy shop has been in business for more than 40 years. With nine locations throughout San Diego, the store offers classic toys and games as well as the newest must-haves. It's a great place to wander with kids or pick up something to take home.

A Boulder institution since 1977, Grandrabbit's is every kid's dream come true, with shelves stocked from floor to ceiling. The independently owned specialty toy store has grown to three Colorado locations and is known as the place to go to find toys that contribute to learning and development. It's not uncommon to find adults wandering the aisles, sans children, enjoying the offerings.

Need a unique gift for a tot under the age of three years old? This small store stocks classic books and quality toys you definitely won't find at big chain stores. Check out the unparalleled collection of LEGO, Playmobil, and Calico Critters.

The largest toy shop in northwest Montana, Imagination Station has myriad fun, educational, and creative toys and gifts in all price ranges. It also has shops in Kalispell and Missoula.

Children love this open-air shop for the dolls, plush princess toys, and dress-up costumes. You can drop a small fortune on glass (plastic) slippers and a magical light-up wand—or splash out fully with the coveted Ariel mermaid costume gown. If this location is closed, as it often is during the off-season, head to Mickey's of Hollywood.

In addition to carrying traditional and out-of-the-ordinary kites, this shop carries an imaginative selection of unique toys and quirky gifts.

Jam-packed with classic toys and modern fun, J. W. Allen & Sons rescues parents who forgot to pack toys for their kids on family vacation. Scary dinosaurs, giant stuffed bears, dolls, sleds, scooters, and kites are as irresistible as the candy.

This independent shop is piled high with stuffed animals, building-block sets, board games, classic kids' books, and arts-and-crafts materials.

This small, colorful store sells models and stuffed animals as well as other toys.