The Best Places to See, Touch and Test Baby Gear IRL

Shopping for baby gear online is convenient, but it’s far from perfect. For new parents-to-be, it’s hard to know if a car seat is too heavy, a glider is actually comfy or if the crib you’ve been eyeing is more “warm honey” or “surprise orange” 🍊. 

With fewer and fewer brick-and-mortar baby stores around, finding places where you can actually see baby products in person is increasingly tricky. But touching, lifting, pushing and testing baby gear IRL can make a huge difference in your decision-making process—and your final choices. 

We rounded up the best retailers across the US to touch and feel baby gear, including everything from big box retailers to small, family-owned shops.

Best for Strollers and Car Seats

Strollers and car seats are the two categories of baby gear that expecting parents are most eager to see in person. That’s because these particular products are so hands-on—you need to touch, feel, lift, push and fold them to truly get a feel for how they work and if they’re a fit for your lifestyle. 

Nordstrom

With the retail landscape shifting quickly, Nordstrom is one of the few national stores where baby gear isn’t just available—it’s actually out on the floor, fully accessible and ready for you to try.

The selection leans higher-end but includes many of the most popular and trusted brands: Nuna, UPPAbaby, Cybex, Silver Cross, Bugaboo, Baby Jogger, Clek, Doona and more. Nothing is boxed up or zip-tied; the gear is displayed openly so you can really get your hands on it. Want to test how heavy a car seat is? Fold and unfold a stroller 10 times? See how a suspension system actually feels on a turn? Go for it.

Another perk: you can book a free, one-hour consultation with a Nordstrom Baby Gear Expert by visiting their appointments page. You can get help with a specific product question or use the appointment for more general advice like registry-building. 

And while strollers and car seats are the main attraction, Nordstrom also carries a curated selection of other gear and essentials in-store, depending on location. You’ll often find baby carriers, bouncers, swings and feeding gear, and popular brands like Baby Brezza, Beaba, Copper Pearl, Mushie, Stokke, BabyBjörn and more.

Widest Variety of Baby Gear

Gone are the days of a dedicated baby retailer where you can see all your gear options under one roof (sigh). These stores aren’t perfect, but they’re in almost every region across the US and are your best shot at seeing the widest variety of products IRL.

Target

Target’s in-store baby gear selections are pretty substantial. Depending on the location, you can usually browse everything from big-ticket items—strollers, car seats, high chairs, furniture—to everyday essentials like bottles, bibs, diapers, feeding gear, bath items and clothing. They carry a wide range of brands, including Graco, Evenflo, Chicco, Dr. Brown’s, Pampers, Burt’s Bees, Fisher-Price and more. It’s a solid place to start if you want to compare lots of products in one stop.

One thing to keep in mind: in many stores, higher-priced gear (especially strollers and car seats) is often zip-tied or locked down for security, making it tougher to take a stroller for a test drive or lift a car seat. If you want to try something out, ask a store manager; they can often unlock it for you. (Calling ahead to see if this is an option can also save you a trip.)

Walmart

Like Target, Walmart usually has a fairly wide variety of baby gear out on display. It’s a good place to browse if you’re looking for everyday essentials or want to compare several budget-friendly options in one trip. Gear-wise, Walmart tends to focus on more affordable and accessible brands such as Safety 1st, Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Carter’s and others. You’ll also find nursery furniture, diapers, feeding products, first-aid items and plenty of clothing and basics.

There are two things to keep in mind before you go. First, as with Target, many stores lock down or zip-tie higher-end gear, which means strollers and car seats can be harder to test out. And second, Walmart’s selection varies a lot from store to store. Some locations have a surprisingly robust baby department while others have a much more limited selection. Calling ahead—or choosing a larger superstore—can save you time and help you know what to expect before you make the trip.

Babies “R” Us at Kohl’s

Kohl’s has breathed new life into Babies “R” Us, the iconic baby retailer that shut its doors in 2018. Now, you can find dedicated Babies “R” Us sections in about 200 select Kohl’s retailers across the US. The curated shops include gear (high chairs, car seats, strollers, bouncers, etc.), bath, furniture, feeding and safety. You can find a shop near you by using the store locator.

The shops carry a good selection of major brands, including Graco, Chicco, Delta Children, Maxi-Cosi, Munchkin, OXO Tot, Frida Baby and many more. Security varies; some stores secure big-ticket items, while you’ll be able to browse other items more freely. 

Also worth a visit

• Dillard's operates almost 300 stores across 30 states, most heavily in Texas, Florida and Arizona. Most locations carry a wide range of brands, including premium and more affordable options.

• Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s also carry a selection of gear IRL. The general rule of thumb is the bigger the store, the more gear you’ll be able to see—but always call in advance to check.

Best for Nursery Furniture

Furniture is notoriously tricky to buy online, nursery furniture included. Seeing cribs, dressers and gliders IRL gives you a much better sense of size, comfort and quality.

Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn Kids is one of the best places to see nursery furniture and décor in person. Their showrooms usually feature full room setups, making it easy to visualize how pieces like gliders, cribs, dressers and bookshelves will look and feel in a real space. Everything is out on the floor, so you can test it all—sit in a glider to check comfort and support (especially important if you’re tall), touch crib sheets and bedding to see if they’re actually soft and compare furniture finishes and colors in person instead of guessing from a screen.

They’re also a great stop if you’re still in the nursery inspo phase. Walking through the displays can help you figure out your style, spot smart storage ideas and get a sense of what pieces you might want or need. Need help? You can schedule a free 60-minute in-home, virtual or in-store appointment with one of their design pros.

Also worth a visit

• Crate & Kids, an offshoot of Crate & Barrel, carries a variety of nursery furniture (and baby gear) that’s viewable in select showrooms across the country. They also offer free design services.

• IKEA isn’t just for shelving you can’t pronounce. This global retail chain has over 50 stores in the US where you can browse through nursery furniture, storage and organization solutions, feeding gear and more. And don’t leave without the meatballs.

Best for Personalized, One-on-One Support

Some parents want to browse on their own; others want someone to walk them through every decision, talk through the pros and cons, and help narrow things down. If you’re craving more guidance—or just want a more hands-on, supported shopping experience—these are the best places to go.

Babylist Beverly Hills

Time to toot our own horn 🎺: if you’re local to Los Angeles, or find yourself in the area, Babylist Beverly Hills is a must-visit. Our massive showroom brings the registry experience to life, with hands-on access to the most popular strollers, car seats, nursery furniture, feeding gear, and more across a wide variety of brands at all price points. 

Everything is out on the floor and made to be touched, pushed, lifted and tested. You can test-drive strollers on our dedicated track, compare car seats in a life-sized car, explore fully styled demo nurseries and get a true feel for how products will work in your home. 

What really sets the showroom apart, though, is the personalized support. Trained staff is always available for questions, or you can book a one-on-one appointment with a Babylist Registry Consultant for deeper guidance, whether you’re building a registry from scratch or need help choosing between a few products. And because we want this experience to feel joyful (not stressful), there are interactive moments throughout the space—photo ops, games, and even an adult-sized baby bouncer. Stick around long enough and you may even spot a celeb or two 👀.

Independent stores

Last but definitely not least, if you’re lucky enough to have one in your area, independent baby and kids’ shops are an unbeatable resource both for seeing baby gear IRL and getting general gear advice from seasoned pros. Many of these stores are community staples and have been for decades; they take pride in helping parents navigate their gear decisions.

Below are just a few favorites by region. For a comprehensive list, check Brixy, a network of independently owned and operated baby stores across the US.

Northeast

• Albee Baby (New York City) 

• Bambi Baby (Northern NJ)

• Pish Posh Baby (Lakewood, NJ)

• Hip Baby Gear (Marblehead, MA)

• Tadpole (Boston, MA)

Midwest

• Twinkle Twinkle Little One (Chicago, IL)

• Pacifier Kids Boutique (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN)

South and Southeast

• Mom & Me (Virginia Beach, VA)

• Bellini Baby (Boca Raton, FL)

• MacroBaby (Orlando, FL)

• Enlightened Baby (Austin, TX)

West Coast

• Destination Baby & Kids (Bay Area, CA)

• Pump Station (Los Angeles, CA)

• Caro Bambino (Santa Monica, CA)

• Kidsland (Los Angeles, CA)

• Posh Baby  (Multiple locations; often Portland, OR area)

• Sugar Babies (Washington State)

Mountain West/Inland Northwest

• Inland Mama (Idaho)

If you’re interested in safety-specific gear, specifically car seats, you can also check out hospital-based safety stores. These specialized spaces are located within hospitals, especially children’s hospitals, and provide injury-prevention products such as car seats and hands-on training (e.g., car seat installation), as well as other safety products like bike helmets, babyproofing gear and more.

A few examples include the Safety Store at Boston Children’s Hospital, the Indiana University School of Medicine Safety Store and the Sanford Hospital System in North Dakota.