Real-life toy soldiers who salute you when you enter, shelves overflowing the larger-than-life stuffed friends, toys classic and contemporary, and dozens of charismatic salespeople waiting to blow your mind with magic tricks, monster makers, and more—walking into the iconic FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center is an all-senses immersion into childhood wonder—and we haven't even mentioned the dance-on piano!

With lines stretching down the block, the well-known toy store has reinvented itself and re-established its spot as a must-visit destination for tourists, but it's also one of our favorite indoor places to play on bad weather days. Read on for nine reasons we love FAO Schwarz, the iconic, long-running toy retailer.

See pop culture in a whole new light at a brand new exhibition at The Met. New York City's largest art museum turns its critical eye toward an unusual subject, honoring the iconic work of Walt Disney in a first-of-its-kind installation titled Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts. The exhibit provides a stunning juxtaposition of the old and new, merging treasures from the museum's collection with a trove of works from the Disney brand as well as the Disney family collection.

Read on for more details on the exhibit and find more kid-friendly installations in our Guide to Museums in NYC.

The Bronx Zoo's glittering Holiday Lights have returned for another season of winter magic. While most of the zoo animals huddled in hibernation or winter holding, the zoo's grounds come to life this season with a series of sparkling, larger-than-life lantern safaris and plenty more seasonal thrills that makes this a fun destination on a cold winter's night.

If you can't make it to the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, consider a visit to one of these other seasonal light shows in city limits, and find more holiday fun in our Guide to the Holidays in NYC.