4 Best Toy Stores in New York (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

New York's biggest toy stores aren't just shops, they're destinations, and the numbers back it up: the LEGO Store on Fifth Avenue carries nearly 9,000 Google reviews, more than any other toy store in this comparison, with FAO Schwarz close behind at almost 8,000.

Short answer: The LEGO® Store Fifth Avenue tops New York toy stores with 4.6 stars across 8,836 Google reviews, the most of any shop here. FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center follows closely with 4.5 stars and 7,939 reviews, and Forbidden Planet rounds out the top three with a 4.6-star rating for comics, collectibles, and pop culture toys.

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1. The LEGO® Store Fifth…
2. FAO Schwarz
3. Forbidden Planet
4. Toy Tokyo
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New York's Top Toy Stores, Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	The LEGO® Store Fifth Avenue	4.6 ★	8,836	LEGO fans, families	View ›
2	FAO Schwarz	4.5 ★	7,939	Classic toy-store experience	View ›
3	Forbidden Planet	4.6 ★	4,928	Comics, Funko & pop culture toys	View ›
4	Toy Tokyo	4.4 ★	1,780	Vintage & designer collectibles	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

The LEGO® Store Fifth Avenue

4.68,836 Google reviews

The LEGO® Store Fifth Avenue is LEGO's flagship New York location, spanning two floors with interactive displays, life-size builds, a Mosaic Maker station, a Minifigure Factory, and a Pick & Build wall for individual pieces. Beyond retail, the store runs Insiders Rewards perks, free workshops for young builders ages 2 to 5, and exclusive sets not sold elsewhere. It's the most-reviewed toy store on this list.

What people praise

Interactive experiences make it feel like an attraction, not just a shop
Staff described as friendly and knowledgeable even during peak crowds
Wide selection including exclusive sets and a build-your-own-minifig station
Photo opportunities and life-size LEGO models throughout the store

Worth knowing

Long waits to get in are common during holidays and busy weekends

Reputation scorecardrank in New York

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume8,836 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown76% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed toy store here and a genuine must-visit for LEGO fans of any age, not just kids. Go on a weekday if you can to skip the line.

Website +1929-493-3074 Directions

636 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020

#2🕑 Open 7 days

FAO Schwarz

4.57,939 Google reviews

FAO Schwarz is the historic Rockefeller Center toy store known for giant stuffed animals, a Build-A-Bear-style customizable bunny station, and the Jellycat Diner, a themed installation serving plush versions of diner food. The two-level store carries toys spanning every age group, from newborn keepsakes to collector-focused sections, and reviewers consistently describe it as feeling magical regardless of age.

What people praise

Customizable plush stations, including embroidered bunnies, make for memorable keepsakes
Staff are polite and let browsers explore without feeling rushed
Rockefeller Center location makes it easy to combine with sightseeing
A mix of budget-friendly souvenirs and higher-end collector items

Worth knowing

Some items are priced at a premium given the tourist-destination location

Reputation scorecardrank in New York

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume7,939 · 92nd

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown74% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The second-most-reviewed store here and the pick for a classic, only-in-New-York toy shopping experience. Reserve ahead if you want the Jellycat Diner specifically.

Website +1800-326-8638 Directions

30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Forbidden Planet

4.64,928 Google reviews

Forbidden Planet is a Union Square shop combining a toy store with a comic book store, stocking Funko figures, collectible action figures, and a wide selection of comics alongside general pop culture merchandise. Staff are known for genuine comic knowledge and giving tailored recommendations, making it a destination for collectors as well as casual browsers picking up a gift.

What people praise

Staff give knowledgeable, well-read recommendations on comics and figures
Strong Funko figure selection at competitive prices
A reliable stop for visitors returning to New York specifically for it
Fan service across a wide range of fandoms

Worth knowing

A handful of reviewers describe one or two staff members as rude on a bad day

Reputation scorecardrank in New York

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume4,928 · 87th

Confidencevery high

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown73% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick for comics, collectibles, and pop culture toys rather than kids' toys specifically. Its rating ties for the highest on this list, with a substantial review base behind it.

Website +1212-473-1576 Directions

832 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

#4🕑 Open 7 days

Toy Tokyo

4.41,780 Google reviews

Toy Tokyo is an East Village shop specializing in vintage and new designer toys, blind boxes, KAWS collectibles, BE@RBRICK figures, and Japanese art toys, with a basement level dedicated to anime model figurines. The compact, tightly packed store rewards careful browsing, and staff keep higher-value or limited items locked in glass cases, retrieving them on request.

What people praise

Pricing on new items is generally at MSRP, without the markups some collector shops charge
Deep selection across blind boxes, vintage sofubi, and designer vinyl
Basement level adds anime figurines beyond the main floor's stock
Staff are friendly and help locate specific collectibles behind the counter

Worth knowing

Small, tightly packed store layout can feel cramped during busy hours

Reputation scorecardrank in New York

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume1,780 · 82nd

Confidencehigh

Recency6 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown66% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The specialist pick for collectors chasing vintage and designer toys rather than mainstream kids' brands. It ranks last here mainly on review volume, not on what shoppers say about the selection.

Website +1212-673-5424 Directions

91 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the store’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against the other New York toy stores here. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.6 from nearly 9,000 reviews carries more weight than a 4.4 from under 2,000. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much do toys cost in New York? (2026)

None of these stores published a specific price list in the reviews or site text we reviewed, and pricing swings widely by category, from a budget keychain to a limited-edition designer collectible. FAO Schwarz and The LEGO Store both carry items across a wide price range, from souvenir-priced pieces to premium collector sets, while Toy Tokyo and Forbidden Planet price collectibles individually based on rarity.

Serving all of New York

These stores cluster in Manhattan, from Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center to Union Square and the East Village, all within a short subway ride of each other, so a search for toy stores near me should turn up several options in a single trip. Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions to the closest store.

What to ask before you shop for toys

Is the item in stock in-store, or does it need to be ordered?
Is this a limited or exclusive release, and will it be restocked?
What’s the return policy on opened or gifted items?
For collectibles, is authenticity or condition verified before sale?
Do you offer gift wrapping or shipping for out-of-town visitors?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these toy stores?

We started from toy stores in New York with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which store is best for younger kids specifically?

FAO Schwarz and The LEGO Store Fifth Avenue both lean toward younger children with interactive, hands-on experiences, while Forbidden Planet and Toy Tokyo skew toward teen and adult collectors.

Are these stores good for tourists looking for a New York souvenir?

Yes. FAO Schwarz and The LEGO Store are both classic New York tourist stops with souvenir-friendly items alongside their full toy selection.

The bottom line

The LEGO Store Fifth Avenue is the safe default for families given its size and review volume, while Toy Tokyo and Forbidden Planet are the picks for collectors chasing something more specific. Go on a weekday if you want to avoid the busiest crowds.

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