FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, is the oldest toy store in the United States. The company is known for its unique high-end toys, life-sized stuffed animals, dolls, and games. The FAO Schwarz flagship store on 5th Avenue & 58th Street (within the General Motors/GM Building) in New York City is a popular tourist destination, and has gained iconic status for its floor piano, cameos in major motion pictures, and real-life toy soldiers. The FAO Schwarz brand is currently the property of the descendants of the founder through the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation, but is now exclusively operated by Toys “R” Us Inc.

Even on a busy day, this storied toy store still manages to cast a spell on kids and adults alike. It’s spacious and even elegant–you’ll still find many classic toys here that don’t require batteries, and lots of worthy distractions like a Design-Your-Own Muppet station; a Barbie foosball table priced at $25,000; and whole sections devoted to Legos, Playmobile, Harry Potter, and more. Employees dressed as toy soldiers and animals roam the store and will happily pose for photos. Don’t miss the giant floor piano on the second floor made by famous by Tom Hanks in Big; stop in for a tap dance and reward yourself with a bag of candy on your way out.

Since 1996, FAO Schweetz (the store’s candy division) offers hundreds of types of candy from bears, worms and fruit to classic candies like Jawbreakers and Whoppers, as well as assortments of chocolate and fudge. Visitors can customize orders at the shop. In 2011, the store expanded its FAO Schweetz candy department to encompass 6,000 square feet on Level One of the FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue flagship store. The department was completely redesigned, featuring new floors, displays and treats along with oversized pieces of candy, including chocolate bars and peppermints.

In October 2010, FAO Café debuted inside the store’s 58th Street entrance offering a variety of foods from several of New York City eateries like Crumbs Bake Shop, Jumbo Bagels, Doughnut Plant, Sigmund Pretzel Shop, and Peanut Butter and Co.