1. F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Store, located at 767 5th Avenue at 58th Street in the General Motors Building. This world famous toy store was founded by German native Frederick August Otto Schwartz and is the oldest toy store in the United States. It is known for its assortment of one of a kind, unique products that reflect quality and offers the customers a memorable shopping experience. The store is broken down into areas such as baby, educational, Barbie, the Madame Alexander Doll Factory, the Muppet Whatnot Workshop, and their incredible stuffed animal department which offers everything thing from a Gund to a lifesized jungle animal. The history of the store includes filming of Tom Hank's movie Big as well as private shopping trips for celebs such as Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Ron Howard. In 2006 an inconsolable Britney Spears took cover in the stores dessert parlor after she stumbled in the streets while carrying son Sean Preston. Fortunately she has been back since to shop under happier circumstances. The store offers a gift wrapping service and shipping available within the U.S. and will even supply you with a personal shopper if requested. Bring your camera so you can get a photo with one of the Toy Soliders on the way out!

2. The Disney Store, located at 711 5th Avenue at 55th Street. This is the largest of all the Disney stores and definatley worth the trip. The three floors offers plenty of merchandise from toys, games, stuffed animals, clothing, candy, jewerly, costumes, books and movies. The top floor is an impressive gallery featuring the finest in authentic Disney artwork including paintings, lithographs and posters. The store offers New York themed gifts as well as tons of Disney pins which can be purchased and then traded at one of their monthly pin trading events. Be sure to check with one of the cast members for any character photo opportunities which may be scheduled during your visit. This is a great place to purchase Disney dollars which is a gift card that can be used at any Disney store or any Disney theme park. It makes a perfect bon voyage gift for anyone you know who might be planning a trip to the happiest place on earth.

3. Toys R Us Toy Store, located at 1514 Broadway at 44th Street in Times Square. The first thing you notice when you walk in is their huge ferris wheel with their toy-themed cars, including a matchbox fire truck, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Barbie and Monopoly car to name a few. Ticket price for one ride is $4.00. Upon entering, you may be greeted by Geoffrey the Giraffe who will offer to take a photo with you that is available for purchase. While walking through their multiple floors, you will notice a roaring Jurassic Park animatronic T-Rex, a statue of the Empire State Building made out of Lego blocks and Superman hanging off the ceiling. The Barbie section is located inside an actual replica of Barbie's house and you can even find old favorites like Strawberry Shortcake dolls and Smurf toys. They have a pretty decent variety of jigsaw puzzles offering everything from Thomas Kinkade to Disney ones, located near their gameboard section. If you have a sweet tooth, you won't want to miss their amazing Candyland themed candy section, one of the best in the city. Downstairs on the lower level you will find Nintendo games and bikes. The store also includes a mini Babies R Us section where you can pick up a quick baby gift or even apply for their gift registry. They also offer giftwrap and delivery service. Be sure to check out their flyer for any coupons that you can use during your visit.

4. American Girl Place, located at 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street. There is an overabundance of things to choose from. The shop has a variety of dolls, books, clothing, doll furniture and accessories. The store offers, a doll hair salon where you can have your doll's hair styled into a new do, a photo studio where you can pose for a picture of your own American Girl magazine cover, a doll hospital where you can drop off your doll for a cleaning and get her back within 2 weeks as good as new and a pet shop filled with all the merchandise you can think of for Coconut the dog. They have a Cafe within the store where you can make a reservation for brunch $19.00, lunch $24.00, afternoon tea $20.00 or dinner $26.00. The Cafe even offers package deals for birthday parties. The store often has special events which might include a character premiere or a doll care class. A visit here is an adventure I highly recommend and one that is sure to make a special memory for that special girl in your life, just remember to bring your credit card along.

5. Dylan's Candy Bar, located at 1011 Third Avenue at 60th Street, accross the street from Bloomingdales. If you are a candy fanatic, walking into this two level super sized candy store is like walking into Heaven! There is such a variety of all differnt types of candy that it is hard to know where to look first. You will find things like giant jaw breakers, gummy bears, jelly beans, licorice, lollipops, gumballs, peeps, pixy stix and more. They carry a full line of nostalig candy such as Necco wafers, Sugar Daddy pops, Black Jack chewing gum and Wonka Chocolate bars. They have various types of Pez Collectors Series, such as Disney Princesses, Batman and Elvis. They have a line of novelty candy featuring characters from Harry Potter, Twilight the movie and Barbie. There is a dessert shop where you can sit down and enjoy a custom made ice cream sundae or a Crumbs cupcake. There is a Spa section that carries Birthday Cake Batter body lotion, an Ice Cream Batter sugar scrub and shower gel, Hot Chocolate bath salts and soda flavored lip balms. They have a large clothing area with t-shirts in a varity of colors along with pajamas, baby outfits and tote bags. They make amazing cakes and gift baskets in all different sizes and they deliver anywhere in Manhattan. They do children's birthday parties in the store! What always catches my eye, is the cool display of autographed clear candy filled boxes that their celebrity guests fill up when they visit. If you want to know which candy Nick Carter of the BackStreet Boys enjoys, all you have to do is look inside his box. Don't know where to find those chocolate or bubble-gum cigars when someone has a new baby? Just follow the candy filled lucite steps to the lower level and you will find them by the box full. The kids leave thrilled and the adults leave with a trip down memory lane. 

5.  Sanrio Hello Kitty Store, located at 233 W. 42nd Street. This Hello Kitty store recently got a make-over with a more sophisticated look but it is still a lot of fun to visit. They have tons of interesting items featuring all of the main characters including Badtz-Maru, Kuromi, My Melody, Cinnamoroll and more. They carry apparel, bags and wallets, umbrellas, toys, car accessories, home decor items, school and office supplies, travel accessories and candy. The Kimora Lee Simmons jewerly collection may be pricey but it is beautiful to look at. Where else in Manhattan can you find Chococat face slippers and the perfect wedding gift... a Hello Kitty toaster!  If you are traveling with boys who would rather be somewhere else, they can visit the Yankee Club House store which is two doors down. Girls of all ages will love this place.