INSIDE: Don’t bother with the boring stuff. These are the best souvenirs from New York that will delight your friends and family. Updated 2024.
Planning on some New York City shopping?
Lucky you!
If you are going shopping in NYC, you’ll LOVE our SUPER-SIZED guide to shopping for New York souvenirs.
THIS is the ONLY list of NYC souvenirs you’ll ever need. (We guarantee it)
- the best things to buy in New York for board game fanatics, and purveyors of Halloween dress up costumes
- what to buy in New York for design aficiondos and book lovers, plus
- gifts you can ONLY get in New York City – these are the ultimate souvenirs to bring home!
Grab a cup of joe, and start your search below.
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The Best Souvenirs from New York City for family & friends?
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD dollars, unless otherwise stated
We’ve organised the list of best souvenirs from NYC by category.
Click the headings in the contents box to go straight to a particular topic, or scroll the list from top to bottom.
RELATED: Where to Shop in New York – Best Shops Guide
Image credit: Sunshine City via Flickr CC BY-2.0
THE BEST NEW YORK SOUVENIRS OF ALL
No.1: Tiffany & Co Jewelry
Fans of Audrey Hepburn cannot visit New York without a visit to the iconic Tiffany & Co jewellery store on Fifth Avenue.
Made famous by the film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this jewellery store in New York sells:
- necklaces, pendants
- bracelets, earrings, rings
- charms and brooches
- watches
- Tiffany branded goods including luggage tags, fragrances, table wear, coffee and tea accessories, sunglasses, leather goods, novelties such as a dinging hotel bell, money boxes, and herb markers.
You don’t have to spend a fortune. Silver keyrings start from $140 USD and a gorgeous pair of Elsa Peretti® Bean Design Ear Clips in sterling silver retail from $375. These are gifts you keep for life.
Hot tip: Reserve a table for your own Breakfast at Tiffany’s experience in the Blue Box cafe, resplendent in the teal-hued Tiffany Blue®.
Buy now on Amazon: Can’t afford the real thing? Wear a Sterling Silver Bean Charm necklace substitute till you can.
Image credit: Trader Joes New York
No.2: Reusable Shopping Bags or Grocery Bag from Whole Foods or Trader Joes
Become a REAL New Yorker by carrying a reusable grocery bag to the best New York grocery stores in town.
Pick one up next time you are shopping at Trader Joes, or from Whole Foods, the number one place for healthy food in New York.
Buy now on Amazon: Trader Joes New York Reusable Shopping Bags – 2 pack
No.3: Starbucks You Are Here Mug from New York
You can’t miss out on coffee at Starbucks while you are in New York, and while you are there, you can buy one of our favorite New York collectible souvenirs too.
The New York Starbucks You Are Here mug.
Starbucks Union Square is at 10 Union Square E, New York, NY 10003.
But there’s a Starbucks in Manhattan on almost every street corner, or so it seems!
Buy now on Amazon: Starbucks New York City Mug Coffee Cup Special Edition
No.4: New York LEGO Kits from the LEGO Brick Store Rockefeller Center
Pick up exclusive New York LEGO at this awesome shop selling LEGO of all colors and shapes.
Plus the best range of:
- New York themed LEGO kits
- LEGO creator kits
- Harry Potter LEGO
- LEGO bricks by color (pick and mix)
- and more.
Buy now on Amazon: LEGO Architecture New York City Build It Yourself New York Skyline
No.5: Eloise at the Plaza Souvenirs New York
Take your kids to visit the Eloise at the Plaza store in New York to find ALL the Eloise gifts including a very cute Eloise tea set, just like the one she’d use in her penthouse suite at the Plaza.
There’s:
- Eloise books
- Eloise DVDs
- Eloise dolls
- Eloise clothing
- Eloise stationery
- Eloise dress up costumes
- Eloise nail polish and makeup for kids, and
- Eloise toys including puzzles and playing cards.
Click here for all the details.
No.6: New York Sports Clothes (How about a New York Yankees Cap?)
Take home an authentic piece of New York Sports merchandise from one of the New York teams, the Yankees, the Rangers, The NY Giants, The NY Mets, NY Jets, or the Knicks.
Buy a:
- adjustable New York Yankees baseball cap
- A woollen beanie
- A team t-shirt or tank top
- A pair of team socks
- Baby clothes, swimwear
- Bags, tote bags, and backpacks
- Baseball gloves, baseball bats
No.7: A Doll from American Girl Place Rockefeller Center
Anyone traveling with girls in tow should pop into the iconic American Girl Place in Rockefeller Center, to see the best and biggest range of American Girl dolls and accessories.
You can even book a table at the American Girl Cafe and take your American Girl Doll to brunch!
Hot tip: Book well in advance to secure a spot.
Click here for all the details.
No.8: I love New York Shirt
An I Heart NY tee is a touristy souvenir from New York, but these I love New York tees make excellent pajama tops when you get home.
A New York t-shirt a wonderful memento of your time in the big city.
Did you know this phrase is trademarked?
“I Love New York” is the official state slogan of New York.
The trademarked logo, owned by the New York State Department of Economic Development, appears in souvenir shops and brochures throughout the state, some licensed, many not. (Wikipedia)
Buy now on Amazon: Classic I Heart NY short sleeve print t-shirt
Image credit: Mike Mozart via Flickr CC BY-2.0
No.9: Levi’s Store Times Square
Pick your favourite pair of skinny jeans or a classic pair of 501’s from the Levis shop in Times Square.
Is there anything more American to buy in New York city?
The Levi’s Store is at Times Square, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, USA
Buy now on Amazon: Levi’s Womans Wedgie Skinny Jeans in Blue Spice
No.10: Kate Spade handbag
Don’t leave New York without a brand new Kate Spade handbag.
Our pick is the original favorite – the Sam in black.
This classic Kate Space handbag comes in different colors and fabrics, but it’s the boxy shape that seals the deal.
The Kate Spade store in New York is at 610 5th Ave Space C, New York, NY 10020, USA.
Buy Now: Click here for latest prices on Amazon
No.11: Kiehls Cosmetics since 1851
Kiehls beauty and cosmetics store is home to best selling skincare products to cleanse, moisturize and care for your skin. Kiehl’s story began with one single pharmacy in Manhattan at Third Avenue and East 13th Street in 1851.
Their most popular product is their Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, a 24 hour daily facial moisturizer. But go in store to test these natural skincare range, and pick your favorites.
The Kiehl’s Since 1851 Flagship store is at 109 3rd Ave, New York NY 10003
Buy Now: Click here for latest prices on Amazon
No.12: Humans of New York book by Brandon
Grab a copy of the Humans of New York book by Brandon Stanton.
The book features 400 color photos and all new stories, based upon the famous “Humans in New York” blog and facebook page, that shares the heartfelt, humorous and harrowing stories of local New Yorkers.
Brandon’s photography is divine, but it’s the inner stories and courageous sharing by the people he features that make this a best seller.
Buy Now on Amazon: Humans of New York coffee table book
Image credit: Bloomingdales New York
No.13: Bloomingdales Christmas Decoration
A New York Christmas ornament is a souvenir that keeps on giving, year after year.
Head to Bloomingdales Department Store to find exclusive New York Christmas ornaments that you can’t buy anywhere else.
Bloomingdales is one of New York’s best Department Stores so don’t miss a visit.
There’s a Bloomingdales in Soho at 504 Broadway, New York and the Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, at 1000 Third Avenue, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York.
Buy now on Amazon: The Brown Bag Christmas Decoration from Bloomingdales
No.14: FAO Schwartz Muppets Puppets
These may not be the most practical of souvenirs but I guarantee you they are the most unique, and the one you’ll never forget!
Head to FAO Schwartz Toy Shop in New York to make your own customizable Muppet doll for home.
They are adorable!
Image credit: FrankieLeon via Flickr CC BY-2.0
FAMOUS THINGS TO BUY IN NEW YORK
No.1: Statue of Liberty figurine
If a Statue of Liberty statue doesn’t take your fancy, pick up a Empire State Building, One World Tower, or Flatiron Building statuette.
They make great paperweights to keep all your credit card bills and receipts from your New York City splurges together!
Buy now on Amazon: Statue of Liberty statue, 8 inches tall
No.2: New York Cab Die Cast Vehicles
Looking to add to your collection of tiny vehicles from around the world?
A New York cab diecast vehicle is the perfect thing.
These make great NY souvenirs for kids too.
Buy now on Amazon: New York City Yellow Cab diecast toy
Image credit: Gen Cartalla via Flickr CC BY 2.0
CHEAP SOUVENIRS FROM NEW YORK
No.1: New York souvenir fridge magnets & more…
If you are looking for cheap things to buy in New York such as NYC memorabilia, or are wondering what souvenirs to buy in New York for the kid’s school friends, neighbourhood kids, and anyone else you remember at the last minute, these are good souvenirs from New York.
- New York souvenir coin (also called a New York pressed penny)
- New York iron on patches, or badges
- New York lapel pins
- New York tea towel
- New York tote bags
- New York wall calendars
Image credit: Boston Library via Flickr CC BY 2.0
No.2: Best Budget Souvenirs from New York
The most popular New York City souvenirs for budget travellers are things you can collect for free as part of your New York tourist adventures, or on the cheap, and then display back at home.
Here’s a few fun ideas of what to do with them:
- Frame a set of cute NY postcards. (If they are vintage, all the better!)
- Buy a Wall Street Journal or New York Times newspaper and frame the front page
- Frame ticket stubs from the theater, or the playbill from that Broadway show you saw
- Put all your NYC attractions tickets from places you visited (eg the Rockefeller ice skating, Madame Tussauds, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Natural History Museum of New York, Empire State Building, subway tickets, Museum ticket stubs, etc ) into a shadow box to display
- Collect New York matchboxes from hotels and restaurants you visit, and display them inside a jumbo cognac brandy glass
- Frame a New York subway map or New York bus map
- Frame your favourite New York City restaurant menus, or scan them and collect them all in a photo book
- Souvenir book from a Broadway show or playbills
- Frame a collection of New York restaurant coasters from your travels
- Collect subway or transport cards (eg Metrocard) from the city, and display them in a wallet pouch
Image credit: Josh Hallett via Flickr CC BY 2.0
No.3: Best FREE Souvenirs from New York
Put these New York mementos in a collage under glass, or arrange an assortment of them on a pin board
- New York shop receipts
- New York sweets wrappers of candy and chocolate you don’t have at home
- Fold out tourist maps from the New York tourist information office
Image credit: Elizabeth Chamberlain via Flickr CC BY 2.0
BEST NEW YORK FOOD GIFTS
No.1: Best American Candy for gifts
Look for American candy bars such as:
- Gobstoppers
- Fun dip
- Nerds candy
- Taffy
- Payday bars
- Pixy Stix
- Skittles
- Sour power candy
- Jelly Belly beans
- Candy jewelry, including candy watches, ring pops, and candy necklaces
- Gummies, and
- Candy by the pound.
Check out the list of Candy Stores in New York city and where to buy New York food gifts in our ‘Where to shop in New York shopping guide‘.
COMING SOON….
Our comprehensive guide on where to shop in NYC for fabric and craft supplies.
