Want to buy baby gear in a physical store in the DMV?

I’ve got you covered. After Buy Buy Baby closed, many parents were left wondering: where can you shop for baby gear in person and physically try out baby products, like strollers, car seats, baby carriers, and nursery furniture? New owners tried a mini-comeback of Buy Buy Baby in late 2023, but by the end of 2024 they pulled the plug on brick-and-mortar for good. Online shopping is great, but sometimes you need to test-drive gear, and talk to experts who can help make sense of the overwhelming options.

Here’s where you can still give baby gear a real-world test drive around DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

1. Three Littles (Washington, DC)

Small shop, huge vibes. This H Street boutique hand-picks modern, eco-friendly brands. Floor models can be touched, folded, and rolled around the store. The staff know their stuff. DC moms rave about it, and you’ll be supporting local.

2. Baby 2 Baby Resale & Consignment (Falls Church, VA)

Gently-used gear at wallet-friendly prices. They sanitize everything, check recall lists daily, and let you wheel strollers around the parking lot to see how they handle curbs. Perfect for snagging an Uppababy or Nuna without the sticker shock.

3. Kid to Kid (Centreville, VA)

This consignment chain feels like a treasure hunt for parents. Expect racks of carriers, rows of high chairs, and a parade of strollers you can line up for side-by-side comparisons. Inventory changes fast, so grab it if you love it.

4. Nordstrom (Tysons Corner, Montgomery Mall, Pentagon City)

Nordstrom’s baby department is small but mighty. Premium gear (think Doona, Bugaboo, Nuna) is on display and ready for test drives. Associates often include certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians for real talk on car seat installs, plus Nordstrom’s legendary return policy is a safety net.

5. Kohl’s x Babies “R” Us (Woodbridge, VA & Ellicott City, MD)

Babies “R” Us lives on as an in-store shop at select Kohl’s locations. You’ll find display strollers, car seats, play yards, and registry kiosks. It’s not the mega-warehouse of old, but there’s enough floor stock to click things in and out of bases and see what sparks joy.

6. Crate & Kids (Tysons Corner)

Minimalist nursery goals come alive here. While the focus is furniture and décor, they also stock sleek high chairs, play gyms, and a curated lineup of carriers. Everything is set up so you can visualize the full nursery vibe in one go.

7. Pottery Barn Kids (Tysons Corner & Montgomery Mall)

Furniture is their bread and butter, but PBK also carries select gear like Uppababy Vista strollers, Nuna PIPA car seats, and BabyBjörn bouncers. The benefit: you can test gear and match wood finishes for that Pinterest-perfect look.

Honorable Mention: Target

Yes, everyone knows Target, but the big-box hero still deserves a shout-out. Larger stores keep a limited assortment of floor models—usually Graco, Chicco, and Evenflo. It’s not exhaustive, yet it’s handy when you need a quick test push while grabbing diapers and a latte.

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Quick Tips for In-Store Gear Testing

• Bring your trunk measurements. Nothing kills a vibe like realizing your dream stroller needs its own parking space.
• Load it up. Ask to toss a demo weight (or your purse) in the basket to see how it steers under pressure.
• Time the fold. Count how many seconds—and hands—it takes to collapse and reopen. Sleep-deprived you will thank you later.
• Check return policies. Life happens. Make sure you can bring it back if baby hates it.

Good luck, and may your future unboxing require zero assembly nightmares!

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