New York souvenirs: Unique gifts from the Big Apple

Some of the best souvenirs to buy in New York include NYC-themed apparel, local food items, independent designer products, and iconic gifts inspired by the city’s neighborhoods and culture. Thanks to the city’s dense retail scene that includes museums, bookstores, independent designers, and specialty food shops, you can find both classic and genuinely unique New York souvenirs in one trip.

Here are some practical examples of what to buy, where to find it, and how a travel eSIM can help you discover the ideal shopping destinations for finding unique gifts.

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Unique city-related souvenirs to buy in New York

Some of the coolest things to buy in New York are NYC souvenirs inspired by the Statue of Liberty, the subway system, Broadway memorabilia, or items related to yellow taxis.

Here’s what you need to know about them and some other interesting options.

Yellow taxis souvenirs

Yellow taxis are one of New York City’s most recognizable visual symbols and are commonly used in NYC souvenirs. Instead of generic keychains, look for items that reference real street scenes or vintage taxi design.

Typical options include:

• Illustrated prints or posters featuring yellow cabs in Manhattan neighborhoods
• Scale model taxis sold in museum gift shops and design stores
• New York t-shirts with minimalist taxi graphics, often found around Union Square and SoHo

These make straightforward, recognizable New York souvenirs without feeling overly kitschy.

Statue of Liberty souvenirs

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most common New York souvenirs, but quality varies a lot depending on where you buy it.

Better options include:

• Museum-quality replicas and prints from Liberty Island gift shops and major museums
• Clean, minimalist designs (posters, ornaments, bookmarks) that reference Lady Liberty without cartoon styling
• Books and illustrated editions focused on immigration history and Ellis Island, which make more meaningful gifts

These work especially well as gifts for history lovers or anyone interested in New York’s cultural symbolism.

New York subway souvenirs

Subway-themed souvenirs are some of the most genuinely New York–specific items you can bring home.

The best place to buy them is the New York Transit Museum gift shop, where you’ll find:

• Official subway map posters (modern and vintage designs)
• Practical items like mugs, tote bags, notebooks, and socks using real MTA graphics
• Collector items, including miniature subway cars and signal replicas

These are authentic, design-forward souvenirs that reflect everyday life in the city rather than tourist imagery.

Broadway souvenirs

Broadway souvenirs are tied to specific shows and performances, making them highly personal gifts.

Common options include:

• Show-specific merchandise such as playbills, posters, and t-shirts sold after performances
• Limited-edition items that are only available during a show’s run
• Signed memorabilia at select theaters or specialty Broadway stores

These souvenirs work best if you’re buying for a theater fan or commemorating a particular show you’ve seen.

New York skyline souvenirs

The New York skyline is one of the most photographed cityscapes in the world, and skyline souvenirs range from mass-produced to genuinely artistic.

Higher-quality options include:

• Photography prints and drawings from independent artists and museum shops
• Architectural models or silhouettes featuring the Empire State Building and Midtown skyline
• Minimalist magnets and desk objects that focus on form rather than text

These souvenirs are easy to pack and feel more timeless than logo-heavy items.

Famous local items as souvenirs

Some New York souvenirs are recognizable not because they’re landmarks, but because they appear everywhere in pop culture.

Well-known examples include:

• NYC street icons like the wire trash can, fire hydrants, and street signs, often turned into magnets, desk objects, or small prints
• Classic New York food references, such as bacon, egg, and cheese bagels or deli counter motifs, used in illustrated posters and novelty items
• Pop-culture-inspired designs that reference everyday city life rather than tourist attractions
  

These souvenirs work best as light, humorous gifts for people who enjoy New York’s everyday quirks.

Wallstreet souvenirs

The Charging Bull, also known as the Wall Street Bull, is one of the most iconic sculptures in New York City.

Nowadays, it’s a popular landmark where people go to take pictures and replicate scenes from movies, but what’s really important are the souvenirs you can get.

Typical Wall Street–themed souvenirs include:

• Bronze-style bull replicas in various sizes for desks or bookshelves
• Art prints and photographs referencing Wall Street and the bull vs. bear theme
• Office accessories such as paperweights or bookends inspired by financial symbolism

These souvenirs are especially popular as gifts for finance professionals or business-minded travelers.

Museum-exclusive souvenirs

We’ve covered what the NY Transit Museum offers, but that’s not the only museum that’s worth visiting for getting exclusive souvenirs and exploring the local culture.

Major museums such as MoMA, the Met, the Whitney, the Museum of the City of New York, and the American Museum of Natural History offer:

• Art books and exhibition catalogs
• Design-led items like stationery, mugs, ornaments, and replicas
• Limited-edition pieces tied to specific exhibitions

These souvenirs are ideal if you’re looking for something curated, cultural, and distinctly New York.

Mets and Yankees souvenirs

New York City is home to two of the most valuable teams in the MLB, the Yankees and Mets. Official team stores sell:

• Caps, jerseys, and t-shirts
• Collectibles such as framed photos, statues, and memorabilia
• Home and office items featuring team branding

These are classic New York souvenirs for sports fans and easy to recognize gifts.

University souvenirs

University souvenirs are extremely popular among New York visitors, and they can be easily obtained at official university bookstores, such as those at Columbia University or New York University.

You can find official items at bookstores:

• Columbia University
• New York University (NYU)

Common options include:

• Hoodies, t-shirts, and caps
• Mugs, notebooks, and books

Some fashion-focused stores in areas like SoHo also carry university-themed apparel, though official bookstores offer the widest selection.

Best New York food souvenirs

New York has many iconic landmarks that are worthy of a souvenir, but let’s not forget about food.

New York is home to popular food brands, such as Heatonist, Levain, Zabar’s, Katz’s, and the list goes on, so let’s list some of the best souvenirs you can get.

Heatonist 

If you’ve ever seen an episode of “Hot Ones” and you love spicy food, Heatonist has the perfect souvenir to get.

You can relive the experiences of MGK, Neil Tyson, or Cara Delevigne with seasonal spicy sauces sold by Heatonist, a Brooklyn brand. Or you can gift this to someone who’s really into Hot Ones and eating hot wings.

Levain

Levain sells one of the most delicious cookies in the Big Apple, but its mouthwatering flavors aren’t the only thing that matters here.

The packaging makes Levain one of the best NYC food gifts, because even small cookie packs look beautiful. And if you decide to take a cookie box with you, it’ll surely end up being a special souvenir.

Katz’s

Katz’s is a truly delicious local restaurant worth visiting in NYC, and perhaps the best part is that you can purchase many items to take back home.

Katz’s basically sells items for every occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a Christmas celebration, birthday boxes, and much more. These typically include items such as their famous vacuum-sealed pastrami, sauces, and their black and white cookies.

Plus, you can get things like a tote bag, coffee mugs, and collectible Katz’s pins!

Zabar’s

Zabar’s is another must-try restaurant when visiting NYC, and it also makes a great choice for food souvenirs.

When considering what New York City souvenirs to bring back home, opt for Lo Scrigno Giusti. It’s a four-century-old brand that has been crafting delicious, exclusive balsamic vinegar.

You can also choose from Zabar’s boxes, such as the Passover Bakery Collection or the Coffee for Two Collection. Just make sure you don’t get the collections with blue cheese if you’re going on a long trip.

SEY

If you’re a coffee lover or want to surprise someone with a perfect NYC food gift, SEY sells some of the best coffee in the city.

This brand offers a variety of coffee varieties, including Pink Bourbon, Ethiopian, and exclusive blends that change with each season. These are truly an exclusive, high-quality gift to receive in New York.

Miscellaneous souvenirs you can get in New York

If you’re done visiting museums, restaurants, and really specific places, like the Statue of Liberty, you can still find miscellaneous souvenirs.

Some of the best options are:

• NY coffee mugs: These come in a variety of designs, with the Anthora ones being a classic choice, but if you decide to visit a Starbucks, you can find NY-exclusive designs you’ll love to buy.
• Snapshots: You can find snapshots from different times to buy in New York. These are really affordable and work well for gifts.
• Chinatown souvenirs: New York’s Chinatown not only offers delicious restaurants to visit, but also features a wide range of items, including tea, Chinese herbs, books, and more.
• Street art: New York is home to numerous street artists, and you can buy original art items when walking around the city. There’s literally no limit on what you can find!
• Economy candy: These traditional, popular candies come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, making them the perfect classic NYC souvenir.
• Clothes: A New York t-shirt, cap, hoodie, scarf, hat, or whatever you think about is available as clothing, so don’t leave this outside your list.

Explore New York with Holafly and get all your favorite souvenirs

New York City souvenirs are really varied. You can find whatever you need, ranging from a classic coffee mug to artworks of the favorite places to visit on a trip to the city that never sleeps.

But to properly visit all these places and find the perfect, unique souvenirs, there’s one thing you can’t miss: mobile internet in New York.

Your best option is to use the Holafly eSIM for New York, as you’ll get unlimited mobile data for up to 90 days. That way, you can move around Brooklyn, Manhattan, or even the Bronx, finding the perfect souvenirs without losing connection.

This eSIM includes up to 1 GB of daily hotspot data, 5G data speeds, and 24/7 customer support, with pricing starting as low as $1.55 daily for long trips! 

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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