This post covers some of the best places to find souvenirs in New York that you could bring home from your trip.
We include a few locations under each type of souvenir shop, a description of what they focus on, their location, and links to examples of the items they carry.
WHAT ARE THE BEST NYC SOUVENIRS?
Folks visiting the city often ask what are the best New York souvenirs. They're looking for great gifts or unique New York souvenirs, anything that fits well into a suitcase.
- Big-Apple-branded items are popular, items such as I Love NY t-shirts, as are coffee table books about the city, and local handmade crafts. You can even get a scent of the city with the 5th Avenue NYC scented candle.
- Pictures or illustrations of iconic landmarks and attractions are popular as well, places such as Times Square, Center Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building.
- Some folks look for food items such as hot chocolate, I Love NY truffles or bagel seasoning. Or they might get branded kitchenware items from places such as Bloomingdales
- Tourists are often on the hunt for special ornaments, magnets, postcards, mugs, caps, umbrellas, tea towels, menus, cookbooks, shot glasses, broadway show playbills, keychains, tote bags, snow globes, throw blankets, and figurines.
To help you in your search for memorable and quality souvenirs, below we’ve listed some locations you might want to either visit or, in some cases, order from online.
Also, for general information on what to do in New York, you might enjoy our NYC Travel Guide, our post on NYC Walking Tours, or our post on Things to Do in NYC.
NYC MUSEUMS
There are loads of museums throughout the Big Apple and you're sure to find creative gifts in many of them.
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The Tenement Museum Gift Shop
The Tenement Museum Gift Shop on the Lower East Side is the place to find colorful items such as totes and socks, jewelry, books, and home decor.
Items we liked:
The New York Historical Society Gift Shop
The New York Historical Society museum and gift shop is just south of the American Museum of Natural History.
You’ll find everything from exhibition-related items like catalogs and prints, to toys and books for kids, to stunning accessories.
Item we like:
The New York Transit Museum Store
The New York Transit Museum store has art, items for the desk, puzzles, New York City-themed items, and much more.
You can even purchase t-shirts and hats with your favorite Subway line on them.
Items we liked:
The Museum of the City of New York Shop
The Museum of the City of New York shop in Brooklyn celebrates New York, from its music to its architecture and everything in between.
You’ll find apparel, gifts, exhibition-related materials, and more.
Items we liked:
Some other places to consider visiting: The Moma Design Store (Museum of Modern Art) and The Met Store.
NEW YORK CITY LIBRARIES AND BOOKSHOPS
New York is a city that loves books. You can see that in their stunning museums and their massive bookshops. These are the perfect places to find New York City souvenirs.
The NY Public Library Shop
Both the 5th Avenue and Harlem locations of the NY Public Library Shop get good buzz.
They have a “Signature and Wise Words Collection” of branded stock, loads of items for children, and of course book-related finds.
Items we liked:
The Morgan Library
The Morgan Library is a Manhattan research library and museum that is truly stunning.
Although they have fewer items than museum gift shops, some of it is quite attractive, especially their William Morris Collection of pillows and many of the items listed under “Morgan Exclusives”
Items we liked:
The Strand Bookstore
The Stand is an independent bookstore just south of Gramercy Park is a landmark NYC institution, one started back in 1927.
It has themed apparel, collectibles, and miles and miles of books (18 miles, to be specific).
Items we liked:
SPECIALTY STORES
There are a number of stores that have more unique items that would make wonderful souvenirs.
The NBC Store
You’ve hit the mother lode here at NBC Studios at Rockefeller Plaza when it comes to TV-related materials.
Branded items from both current shows to beloved shows of the past can be found.
Want a “Michael Scott Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fund Run Race for The Cure” t-shirt”? You can find it here.
Items we liked:
The Broadway Store
The Broadway Store is is the place to find posters, t-shirts, and recordings from some of your favorite Broadway shows.
Currently, only their online store is selling products.
Items we liked:
Met Opera Shop
The Met Opera Shop on the upper west side, within the Lincoln Center complex, has some truly exceptional and at times expensive items.
You can find elegant attire and jewelry, perfect for wearing to the opera, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, games and playsets, paperweights, stationary and more.
Items we liked:
Christmas Cottage
The Christmas Cottage shop found near the Wellington Hotel is a place to find Christmas-related decorations.
They have figurines, nutcrackers, stockings, snow globes, and more.
Items we liked:
Some other spots to consider: Memories of New York and Grand Slam New York.
NYC HOME GOODS AND DEPARTMENT STORES
If you like things for the home, there are plenty of those to be found around the city. A few shops to visit are:
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Magpie
Magpie, a store on the Upper West Side, carries items you won’t often find elsewhere.
If you like soaps and organic items, candles, and non-fussy but attractive jewelry and accessories, you might like Magpie.
Items we liked:
Fishs Eddy
Fishs Eddy, a home goods store south of the Flatiron building, is THE place to find dishware and kitchenware.
The store has endless choices, some of which can be found on the website, and much of it is reasonably priced.
Check out their Instagram for examples of items you might find in the store.
Items we liked:
Macy's Herald Square
You'll find a gift shop called STORY at Macy's department store as well as many other stores across their 8 stories
An extra: dozens of movies have been filmed at the Macy's Herald Square location and you might find evidence of them. And the piano from the movie BIG was moved from FAO Schwarz to this location when that store closed.
MARKETS AND FOOD SHOPS
You can find open food shops all year round, and both summer and winter markets open at various times of the year.
Zabar’s
Zabras, a food store on the Upper West Side, is a great place to find some of New York’s best foods; think bagels, babka, pastrami, smoked fish, chocolate, and more.
Their website has gift baskets, cookbooks, housewares, and even a recipe blog.
Another spot to consider: Eataly New York Downtown
Fulton Stall Market
The Fulton Stall Market is a farmer's market across from Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport. It offers local fresh and artisanal foods.
It all comes from small-batch producers and family farms.
You could return home with bread, cheese, pasta, honey, cider, and more.
Union Square GreenMarket
140 regional farmers, fishers, and bakers sell their products at the Union Square GreenMarket.
Perhaps you’ll want to take home some pickles, wine, maple syrup, or honey? Perhaps more bread and cheese?
Aside from Union Square, they have many other locations throughout the city.
Holiday Markets at Bryant Park and Union Square
There are dozens of other holiday markets popping up as well, ones bringing local crafts and foods to the New York City area.
With hundreds of vendors set up around these locations near the end of November, you can find just about anything you’re looking for at the holidays markets at Bryant Park and Union Square.
The Renegade Craft Fair
The Renegade Craft Fair, lasting a few days, a few times a year, brings the work of artists and crafters to the public.
One can find special items covering everything from clothing and beauty to artwork and home goods, at locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn or their online shop.
The Brooklyn Flea Market
If you’re looking for tchotchkes, antiques, and one-of-a-kind items, you might find them at one of the most popular flea markets in the city, The Brooklyn Flea Market.
Vintage clothes, jewelry, furniture, hand-crafted items, and more can be found at one of two locations in DUMBO and Chelsea.
Also, consider visiting: Williamsburg Artists and Fleas, Grand Bazaar NYC, and Chelsea Flea.
An Addition
Be sure to collect one of our postcards from your walking tour guide as well and let the folks back home know you’ve had loads of fun in New York City!
