The Best Places in the Country for Toy Collecting

Welcome toy collectors! If you're passionate about action figures, dolls, model trains, or any other type of toy, you know how exciting it can be to hunt for that perfect addition to your collection. In this article, we'll explore some of the top destinations across the United States for finding rare, vintage, and valuable toys.

Whether you're looking to browse locally-owned specialty shops or massive toy shows, there are plenty of great places to fuel your toy-hunting adventures. Let's dive in!

The top 5 metro areas for toy collecting are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Portland due to their high concentrations of specialty toy shops, collectors, conventions, and toy companies.

Los Angeles: Pop Culture Paradise

With its ties to the entertainment industry, the Los Angeles area is a mecca for collectors of pop culture memorabilia and movie or TV-related toys. You'll find no shortage of vintage toy shops carrying everything from rare Star Wars figurines to one-of-a-kind superhero merchandise.

The area is also home to Frank & Son Collectible Show, which runs multiple toy shows each week. Vendors offer collectibles of all kinds, from sports cards to action figures and beyond. Even the world-famous Disneyland Resort has an entire store dedicated to vintage Disney toys and collectibles. LA is truly a destination where toy collectors can find their own Hollywood-style treasures.

New York City: Old-World Charm Meets Cutting-Edge Collecting

From hole-in-the-wall West Village specialty shops to massive collectors’ events like New York Comic Con, NYC is a toy collector’s dream. Iconic FAO Schwarz and the new FAO Schwarz flagship store in Rockefeller Center offer magical toy shopping in person and online.

Meanwhile, the newly reopened Toys"R"Us in New Jersey draws customers from all over with its floor-to-ceiling displays of the latest toys. Beyond the big names, collectors will love hunting for unique items at NYC vintage toy stores like Toy Tokyo, Royaltoys, and New York Nostalgia. With so many options, the Big Apple offers big opportunities for toy collectors.

Chicago: Midwest Mecca of Collecting

Chicago is an underrated gem for toy collectors, thanks to its vibrant community of collectors, well-established toy shows, and Midwest nostalgia. Legendary events like the All Star Fan Fair and Kane County Flea Market offer aisles upon aisles of vendors selling collectible figurines, robots, tin toys, and other rare items.

Shops like Show and Tell Toys, Big Kid Collectibles, and Groovy Toys provide a local marketplace to buy, sell, or trade collectibles. And major conventions like Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) also draw huge crowds of collectors. From antique toys to the latest pop culture items, Chi-Town has it all.

San Francisco: Quirky Shops Meet Tech Toys

San Francisco has an undeniably quirky charm, which extends to its options for toy collectors. Shops like Voyager, Doe Donuts, Snoogityboon, and Little Nemo specialize in offbeat, artsy, and indie toys you won’t find anywhere else.

Of course, the Bay Area is also known for tech, so you’ll find great options for collecting modern toys like video games, robots, and interactive media. Events like Silicon Valley Comic Con and Toy Fair celebrate new, innovative toys alongside classics. And Pixar fans will love hunting for merchandise from movies like Toy Story and Coco. SF provides plenty of fun for eclectic collectors.

Portland: Weird and Wonderful Collecting

Keep Portland weird – and great for toy collecting! Portland’s vibrant independent culture shines through in its numerous quirky toy shops, ranging from the huge (such as Finnegan’s Toys and Games) to tiny local gems like Hobe’s Toys and Bear Patch Toys.

The city celebrates all types of toys, with events like the Portland Retro Gaming Expo and PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. And multimedia stores like Control Voltage and Excalibur Comics add to the eclectic collecting scene. Whether your passion is pinball machines, Star Wars, rubber ducks, or anything in between, Portland’s creative vibe makes it a toy collector’s paradise.

Texas: Toys as Big as the Lone Star State

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and their passion for toys is no exception! Major cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio have vibrant collector communities and hot spots. The Dallas Market Center hosts one of the nation's largest wholesale shows with exhibitors selling the latest and greatest toys. Houston is home to the massive Houston Comicpalooza convention filled with pop culture collectibles.

Austin's independent spirit shines in quirky shops like Toy Joy, Austin Books & Comics, and Lucy in Disguise. San Antonio's North Star Mall hosts collectors from across South Texas for its haul of retail collectibles. Beyond the cities, collectors uncover small-town gems at Texas flea markets, antique malls, and trade days. With so much space to cover, Texas offers big opportunities for dedicated toy collectors.

Ohio: Midwest Nostalgia and Collecting Traditions

Don't overlook America's heartland! Ohio hosts some of the nation's longest-running and largest toy shows drawing enthusiastic crowds of collectors. The Ohio Toy and Hobby Show in Richfield has offered over 400 dealer tables of train sets, Star Wars, Superheroes, diecast cars, dolls and more since 1981.

Meanwhile, Collins Annual Classic Toy Show & Sale in Toledo draws over 100 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees showcasing antique toys through today's collectibles for over 25 years. Beyond the major shows, Ohio's smaller cities have local shops packed with treasures like Northeast Ohio Toys and Hobbies, JD Toys and Games, Time Warp Toys, and Toy House. From Cincinnati up to Cleveland, collectors dig into Ohio's nostalgic toy history and highlights.

Minnesota: Unexpected Gem for Toy Lovers

Minnesota flies under the radar as a toy collecting destination, but digs deeper to uncover some hidden gems. The Twin Cities area delivers a triple threat starting with the Minnesota Toy Posse, a 1,000+ member collector group organizing events and sharing finds year-round. Next is Hub Hobby Center, an 80-year-old Minneapolis staple offering 12,000 square feet of collectible toys and models.

And finally, regular events like FallCon Vintage Toy Show provide a community for diehard collectors to buy and trade. Smaller cities also impress, like Rochester's Med City Toys packing in stunning displays of Hot Wheels and action figures since 1997. Don't overlook the North Star State on your hunt for the country's top toy treasures.

Pennsylvania: East Coast Toy Collecting Haven

From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's vibrant cities and towns make it a top destination for East Coast toy collectors. Pittsburgh's annual Steel City Con draws tens of thousands to explore comics, toys, gaming, and pop culture collectibles. Reading is home to Mike's TV and Toy Store packing 30,000 toys into one massive shop since 1978.

Beyond the cities, collectors dig into nostalgic small-town shops like Wayne's Toy Box in Hamburg and Yesterday's Toys in Boyertown. The eastern half of the state boasts scores of antique malls with hidden toy troves. And major east coast cities like NYC, Baltimore, and DC are all within driving distance. Pennsylvania's blend of small town charm and big city access earns it a spot among the East Coast's best toy collecting hubs.

Treasure Hunting Locally and Online

One of the best parts of toy collecting is finding hidden gems in your own community. Check local comic book stores, antique malls, flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales to uncover toys and collectibles for sale nearby.

Connecting with other local collectors can provide leads on sales and events. Expand your search online to buy and sell toys through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, collector forums, and apps like OfferUp. With some hunting, you may find treasure troves of toys without ever leaving your hometown!

Attending Toy Shows and Conventions

Toy shows provide collectors a one-stop shop to browse thousands of toys from vendors around the world. Large-scale events like San Diego Comic-Con, New York Toy Fair, and DesignerCon offer endless booths of new toys, limited editions, custom items, and more.

Even small local toy shows can have hidden gems. Shop early for the best selection and prepare to transport your toy haul. Beyond toys, pop culture conventions for gaming, comics, TV shows, and movies also have great toy merchandise. These events let you connect with fellow fans and collectors.

Joining Collector Communities

Connect with fellow enthusiasts through local toy collecting clubs, newsletter mailing lists, Facebook groups, online forums, and conventions. These communities provide support, advice, news about upcoming events, and opportunities to buy and trade.

Groups may focus on specific themes like Star Wars, Transformers, vintage teddy bears, or diecast model cars. Friendly competition of comparing collections can push you to new levels. And you may even find long-term friendships! Tapping into collector communities makes the hobby more engaging, informative, and just plain fun.

Displaying Your Collection

An impressive toy display transforms your collection into a decorative showpiece. Carefully curate and organize your display area to highlight your most treasured items. Use shelving, cabinets, shelves, and display cases to neatly exhibit smaller toys and keep them free of dust. For larger toys, create dynamic poses using articulated figures and vehicles.

Rotate items to prevent sunlight damage. Add customized backgrounds, risers, and lighting for extra wow factor. A well-organized display lets you fully appreciate your collection while wowing lucky visitors.

The thrill of toy collecting comes from the adventures of the hunt, the rush of a new discovery, the simple joy of toys, and the connections with fellow fans. Whether you collect out of nostalgia, appreciation for artwork and design, love of pop culture, or just enjoyment of toys – the hobby offers endless possibilities.

By exploring top destinations, connecting with communities, displaying your finds, and staying engaged, you’ll keep fuelling your passion. Happy toy hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my toys are valuable collectibles?

Factors like age, rarity, condition, popularity, and production quality help determine a toy's value. Vintage, hard-to-find toys in great shape tend to be most valuable. Limited editions and toys connected to pop culture also gain value. Research toys online to estimate their worth. Consider getting professional appraisals for extremely rare or pricey items.

What is the best way to find local toy collectors and clubs?

Search for local toy collector groups on Facebook. Visit comic book and hobby shops and ask if they know of collecting clubs or events. Check community centers or library bulletin boards. Search sites like Meetup.com for collector meet-up groups nearby. Ask fellow toy fans online for recommendations in your area.

How should I properly store and display my toy collection?

Store delicate toys in glass display cases to prevent damage. Use UV-filtering film on windows to block sunlight. Keep toys dust-free. Store toys not on display in archival plastic bins. Display toys on clean shelving and rotate pieces periodically. Group displays themes in creative, organized arrangements. Follow individual toy care instructions.

What are smart strategies for negotiating prices on collectibles?

Research fair value of toys before purchasing. Set a maximum budget per item and avoid overpaying. Politely counter unreasonable prices. Offer to buy multiple items for a bundle discount. Time purchases for sales or low-traffic shopping days. Build relationships with sellers. Buyers with flexibility, knowledge and courtesy have the advantage.

Where can I learn about upcoming conventions and toy shows?

Check major convention websites for dates and toy vendor information. Search sites like ToyShowCalendar.com and Showzcalendar.com for nationwide show listings. Follow toy brands, key designers and fan sites for related convention news. Join local collector Facebook groups for area events. Sign up for collector organization mailing lists announcing shows.

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