The Best New York Souvenirs, 10 That Aren't Junk

Confession time, folks. I currently own 15 totes and more than half of them are NYC-themed. I love a good tote and use them often. From grocery shopping to running errands, I’m always on the lookout for a new tote to add to my collection (we only have one planet, right?).

Out of town visitors often make comments about how cute some of the totes are, so I started giving them out as souvenirs. Turns out they’re a big hit! Based on the reception received, I’m surprised I didn’t think of this NYC souvenir idea earlier! If helpful, this exact tote is, by far, the most complimented tote I own.

Know anybody that doesn’t start the morning with a cup of coffee or tea? Me either. Which is why this iconic mug is one of the best practical souvenirs from New York City for friends. You’ve probably seen this exact cup in movies and shows, it makes frequent appearances in NYC-based movies and shows.

If you have someone that’s hard to shop for but loves New York, I suggest picking up one of the best photo books of New York City. This book is chock-full of inspirational and charming photos, making it a thoughtful souvenir from New York City that is sure to impress.

The reason I consider this a foolproof souvenir from NYC is because I’ve come across this gift in people’s homes after they visit me. My sister keeps it in her office and my friend uses it as a coffee table book, always within sight.

How many cities have an entire toy store dedicated to LEGOs? If you’re visiting New York City with a kids then swinging by the LEGO Flagship store is non-negotiable. Think impressive life-sized LEGO creations and fascinating decor.

The store is located in the heart of Midtown, right across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, making it an easy stop while exploring the Big Apple. In terms of best New York City souvenirs for kids, I suggest picking up this EPIC Lego set of the NYC skyline.

When you visit NYC, it’s inevitable that you’ll see thousands of NY Yankees baseball caps bopping around. The reason? You can find them for sale on almost every tourist hub in NYC. Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, etc. and they’re usually very affordable.

The best part? These popular NYC souvenirs are not reserved for tourists, I own three myself. The Yankees ball cap is synonymous with the Big Apple and I’ve seen them worn all over the world. To that end, what better way to remember your trip to NYC than with the most classic souvenir from New York City.

New York City in Stride is yet another beautiful book about the Big Apple. Full of stunning illustrations and helpful descriptions of cool places in NYC, this is one of my favorite books to keep around the house. I enjoy perusing the pages when I have free time and find myself reaching for it before heading somewhere new. You can pick up a copy of New York City in Stride here.

Personally speaking, there’s nothing I love more than an edible souvenir from New York City (one of the best food cities in the world!). My classics are the hearty cookies from Levain Bakery and the chocolate babka from Breads Bakery. These souvenirs are also well received by my family and friends and they often request them on subsequent visits, which probably tells you everything you need to know.

You probably have at least one coworker that loves New York City as much as you do, right? Well, why not pick up a simple souvenir from New York to share with them. It’s a tiny effort that will make them feel special without costing an arm and a leg.

For an affordable NYC souvenir idea, I suggest a little Statue of Liberty figurine or an iconic yellow taxi toy car. It’s an easy souvenir to keep on a desk and doesn’t take up much space, making it an easy win-win.

Now before all the millennials come after me saying snow globes are nothing but a relic of 90s sitcoms, allow me to introduce you to my mother. The first time I visited the city and asked what she wanted as a souvenir from NYC, without missing a beat, she asked for a snow globe.

I feel confident in saying somebody in your life would enjoy the nostalgia associated with this cheesy New York City souvenir idea. Worst case scenario you end up with a paper weight and that doesn’t sound too bad to me.

Aside from the typical I ?? New York shirt everyone thinks of as souvenirs there’s a plethora of wearable attire that pays homage to NYC. You can find shirts that have subway prints, photos of the Notorious B.I.G. or the Empire State Building in various shops across New York City.

My suggestion however would be to stop by Uniqlo and pick up a collab piece, which they release seasonally. My favorite collaboration to date was the one with Jason Polan, an artist who’s doodles captured the simple beauties of New York City.

There aren’t many brands quite as widely recognized as the New York Times and now you can have a piece of their history. NYT is offering an anniversary book in which you get to pick a date, then they will create a book containing all the published front pages on that anniversary from said date until the present.

It’s a great piece for a coffee table, office or bookshelf. Through the lens of the most iconic newspaper in the world, you’ll have daily access to the daily events that shape our world one year at a time.

Want to be reminded of your visit to New York City on an annual basis Look no further than this creative New York souvenir and pick up a beautiful Christmas ornament?If you’re not visiting during the holiday you can still find Christmas ornaments at museums and souvenir shops.

Speaking of Christmas, let’s talk about holiday markets and the best places to buy souvenirs in New York City.

It won’t take long to notice that Times Square is peppered with souvenir shops on every corner. And while these are great spots to buy souvenirs in New York City (especially when you’re in a pinch), I find them overwhelming.

Between the bright lights and thousands of nick-knacks vying for your attention, it’s hard to last longer than five minutes before feeling overstimulated. But don’t get me wrong, these stores are some of the best spots to get quick and cheap souvenirs from NYC, so they’re worth a visit when you’re in a bind.

However, if you have more time then I suggest going elsewhere. We wrote an entire article about the best gift shops in New York City, but here are five quick recommendations.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting NYC during the holidays (it’s magical, everyone should do this at lease once), then you’re in for a treat. There’s a plethora of great holiday markets that sell some of the best souvenirs in New York City and should not be missed!

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