What to Take Home: New York City Souvenirs
Take a Bit of the Big Apple Home with You
Ah, New York City: Gotham, Metropolis, The Melting Pot, The Capital of the World, New York City Souvenirs Central, The Empire City.
Wait, what? Souvenirs? Maybe it’s not an official nickname, but there’s no way you can leave The City That Never Sleeps without getting several takeaways for friends and family — and yourself. So: What can you find that’s oh, so NYC and quite unexpected?
Jacob Cerda knows. He’s Archer Hotel New York’s chef concierge with an eye for the artistic and a proverbial finger on the pulse of the city. Peruse his suggestions for souvenirs that are, truly, extraordinary.
BUBBY’S NY PIE HAT — No, not a hat shaped like a pie; who would wear that? We’re talking a very wearable gray wool, adjust able baseball cap from Bubby’s, a restaurant and pie shop with two Manhattan locations and a Banoffee pie with bananas, dulce de leche, espresso, whipped cream and a graham cracker crust. Yes, and yes.
“IMAGINE” BLANKET — What’s a visit to Manhattan without a visit to Central Park? The Central Park Conservancy has four shops with fun finds, including a John Lennon- and Strawberry Fields-inspired “Imagine” blanket. Something else to keep you warm at night: The conservancy “raises 75 percent of the park’s annual budget and is responsible for the work essential to keeping Central Park beautiful.”
EMPIRE STATE AND CHRYSLER BUILDINGS SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS — Everyone has salt and pepper shakers, but these make a serious New York statement on any tabletop or stove. The Morgan Library & Museum gift shop sells the silver-plated, lead-free pewter set.
“GET LIT” MAGNET — The wearer of this hat may be the recipient of raised eyebrows — until the viewer reads the cap’s fine print: “Strand Book Store • New York City.” Strand is the legendary home of more than 18 miles of new, used and rare books, including James Joyce’s “Ulysses” signed by both Joyce and Henri Matisse, who illustrated the book to Joyce’s dissatisfaction. Get lit, indeed.
ALCHEMY POLLOCK SCARF — Abstract-express yourself (or bestow upon a lucky recipient): This luxurious silk twill scarf has hand-rolled edges and miles of style. The Guggenheim Store has this and other artfully curated gifts — a shopper’s dream after wandering through the world-renowned museum.
HOT DOG PRETZEL ONESIE — Piccoliny, the baby and kids’ store offering nostalgic, NYC-esque clothes, toys, books and gifts, has this darling street fare-inspired onesie (also available in kid-size tees). It’s not only crazy-cute and made in New York City, it’s also 100 percent organic.
SNOWBALL SNOW GLOBE — You can hardly go wrong with a stop-and-shop at the MoMA Design Store, and this mesmerizing globe is no exception. Take a New York snowfall home with you and find your sparkly moments of Zen anytime.
LEVINE FAMILY’S GARMENT SHOP PIN — The Lower East Side’s Tenement Museum offers building, walking and meet-and-greet tours that take guests back in time to 97 Orchard Street. This charming pin pays homage to a dress “being crafted” at the Levine family’s garment shop during the turn of the 20th Isn’t the pin begging to find a home on a denim jacket? We think so.
OAK BOWTIE WITH NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE — Surely this carved-wood bowtie won’t be a duplicate gift. Souvenirs.nyc in Chelsea showcases the work of NYC artists, designers and “creative deviants,” highlighting gifts and New York City souvenirs that represent the city’s past and present — pretty snazzy stuff.
TOTE BAG — Now that you’ve shopped till you dropped, what are you going to carry your New York City souvenirs and goodies home in? Why, one of the city’s coolest totes, of course. Grand Central Terminal has the fantastic P!Q — a whimsical store with gifts, accessories and designer toys. The reusable totes are eco-friendly, water-resistant, convenient (44 pounds strong!), reasonably priced and seriously darling-cool-classic-trendy-fun awesomeness.
We hope that this list has helped you check at least a few New York City souvenirs off your list. Archer Hotel New York has curated souvenirs worth checking out, too, so stop in at 45 West 38th Street to see what’s in store; and grab a cocktail and a delicious bite to eat at the Lobby Bar, AVA Social or Spyglass Rooftop Bar.
New York City thanks you for your visit — see you again soon!
