New York, as one of the most iconic cities not only in the United States but in the world, offers visitors a unique and diverse range of souvenir options. Elements that have become symbols of the city—such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and yellow taxis—appear on many products from magnets to t-shirts. Souvenirs with the “I ❤️ NY” logo are among the most popular options that remind one of the city, while calendars, notebooks, and art prints inspired by Central Park are also in high demand. Additionally, memorabilia from Broadway musicals and licensed products of New York’s world-famous sports teams are special gifts for sports and art enthusiasts.
Different areas of New York offer great opportunities for unique and handmade gifts. Natural soaps, candles, and jewelry from small shops in Brooklyn are among the gifts that carry both aesthetic and personal value. For art lovers, art books, reproductions, and original souvenirs from famous museums like MoMA or the Met stand out. In addition, flavors unique to New York—especially cheesecake mixes, deli pickles, specialty sauces, and handmade chocolates—are ideal options for those who want to bring local tastes home or offer them to loved ones. In short, every gift from New York is a small but meaningful memento that reflects the culture and energy of this fascinating city.
1. Products with the “I ❤️ NY” logo (t-shirts, bags, mugs, etc.)
Products with the “I ❤️ NY” logo are among the most recognized and iconic souvenirs of New York. This design was created in 1977 by graphic designer Milton Glaser to revive the city’s tourism and has since become a worldwide icon. This simple yet striking logo symbolizes New York’s energy, diversity, and passion. Featured on t-shirts, mugs, keychains, bags, notebooks, and many other items, this symbol is highly popular among both tourists and locals.
Products bearing this logo are not just souvenirs but emotional symbols, as they reflect the love for and connection to New York. These items are especially popular due to their affordability and appeal to all ages, and they are easily found in souvenir shops at Times Square, 5th Avenue, and airports. “I ❤️ NY” logo items stand out as meaningful and universal mementos that immortalize a trip to New York.
2. Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty figurines
Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty figurines are among the most meaningful souvenirs from New York, serving as miniature representations of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Since its construction in 1931, the Empire State Building has held a prominent place in the city’s skyline, while the Statue of Liberty is recognized worldwide as a symbol of freedom and hope in America. These figurines are typically made from materials such as metal, resin, glass, or plastic, and are sold in various sizes with detailed craftsmanship.
Easily found in souvenir shops in tourist areas, museums, and airports, these figurines are chosen for their decorative and symbolic value. Used in home or office décor, these miniature landmarks offer an elegant and lasting memory of a trip to New York. They are also considered valuable items by collectors. Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty figurines are not only mementos of the city but also symbolic reflections of American culture and history.
3. Magnets themed around NYC taxis, the subway, or street signs
New York’s iconic yellow taxis, subway stations, and street signs are integral parts of the city’s daily life, and themed magnets reflecting these elements are among the most popular souvenirs for tourists. Especially magnets designed with famous street names like “5th Avenue,” “Wall Street,” or “Broadway” bring the dynamism and spirit of New York into your home. Similarly, colorful and creative designs representing the classic yellow taxi and NYC subway offer fun and nostalgic touches that symbolize the time spent in the city.
These themed magnets stand out for their small size, affordable prices, and appeal to visitors of all ages. A wide variety can be found in souvenir shops in the city center, stores near subway stations, or tourist areas like Times Square. Often used as refrigerator decorations, these magnets are practical and decorative gifts you can bring home for loved ones. They also hold a special place for collectors as unique symbols of New York.
Broadway musicals are one of the most important parts of New York’s cultural identity and are among the top artistic events that visitors want to experience. Souvenirs that evoke this unique theater experience hold great meaning, especially for musical enthusiasts. Posters, program booklets, t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and special edition notebooks from famous productions such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Hamilton,” “The Lion King,” or “Wicked” are among the most preferred items. These products are ideal for those who want to carry not just a show, but also the magic of the Broadway stage with them.
These souvenirs are typically sold in theater lobbies, souvenir shops around Broadway, or official Broadway stores. Carefully designed, they bring the power of art and stage creativity into daily life, making them suitable for both personal collections and gifts for loved ones. Broadway musical memorabilia not only makes your New York trip unforgettable but also stands out as a tangible reflection of a cultural experience.
5. Products with the New York Yankees or Knicks logo
Products with the New York Yankees and New York Knicks logos are among the most iconic souvenirs that can be bought from New York for sports enthusiasts. The Yankees are globally recognized as one of the most established and successful baseball teams, while the Knicks are one of the oldest and most popular teams in the NBA. Hats, t-shirts, jerseys, scarves, wallets, and keychains featuring these teams’ logos are highly appealing to both loyal fans and sports-loving tourists. In particular, the Yankees’ classic navy blue cap has become a global style icon.
These products can be easily found at official stores in Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Garden, in major sports stores around the city, or in licensed shops in tourist areas. Souvenirs with the New York Yankees or Knicks logos represent not only support for a team but also admiration for New York’s sports culture. Reflecting the unifying power of sports, these items are unforgettable mementos for yourself and meaningful gift options for loved ones interested in sports.
6. Postcards and posters printed with Times Square
Postcards and posters printed with Times Square are among the souvenirs that best reflect New York’s energy, sparkle, and cosmopolitan nature. This square, dazzling at all hours of the day, is considered the heart of the city with its billboards, crowded streets, and street performers. For this reason, postcards featuring images of Times Square immortalize its unforgettable atmosphere in a single frame. Bright, colorful prints, especially those taken at night, attract great interest from tourists.
Postcards and posters are typically sold in souvenir shops, bookstores, or photography galleries and are offered in various sizes, styles, and framing options. Postcards provide a nostalgic way to send greetings from the city to loved ones, while posters can be used as wall decorations to bring New York memories into your home. These visuals that capture the dynamism of Times Square are meaningful and aesthetic choices for those who want to carry the spirit of New York into their living spaces.
7. Central Park-themed products (calendars, prints, notebooks, etc.)
Central Park-themed products are elegant souvenirs that symbolize New York’s tranquil and nature-filled side. This vast and historic park inspires photographers, artists, and visitors with its unique scenery throughout all four seasons. The park’s walking paths, ponds, historic bridges, and autumn foliage are aesthetically featured in calendars, prints, notebook covers, and art reproductions. Especially illustrations or photographs prepared with artistic touches bring the peaceful atmosphere of Central Park into your home or workspace.
These products can be easily found in museum shops, bookstores, souvenir stores, or art markets throughout the city. Central Park-themed calendars offer a different view for each month of the year, while notebooks and notepads provide a functional option for daily use. Framed prints can also serve as some of the most elegant and decorative mementos from a trip to New York. These items are not just representations of a park, but meaningful and aesthetic reflections of the nature and serenity hidden within the city.
8. Handmade soaps and candles from Brooklyn
Brooklyn is one of the neighborhoods that best reflects New York’s creative and artisanal spirit. Handmade soaps and candles produced in small workshops here stand out with their natural ingredients and unique scents. Enriched with various essences such as lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, bergamot, and sandalwood, these products attract attention both for their aesthetic appearance and their aromatherapeutic properties. The soaps are typically made with herbal oils and natural materials, while the candles are crafted using eco-friendly alternatives like soy wax. Thanks to Brooklyn’s handcrafted market culture, each product carries its own unique story.
These types of soaps and candles can be found in boutique shops, design markets, or local artisan stores in neighborhoods like Williamsburg. Due to their handmade nature, these items are highly valued for their originality and quality, making them both practical and meaningful gifts to bring back from the city for loved ones. They also add an elegant touch to home décor and are among the special keepsakes that reflect the natural and peaceful side of a New York trip.
9. Collectible MetroCard
The MetroCard, which has become a symbol of New York’s public transportation system, stands out both as a practical way to experience the city and as a souvenir with collectible value. Used on subways, buses, and some train lines throughout New York, these cards have been printed in various designs over the years and have gradually become items of interest for collectors. Especially limited-edition MetroCards created for special occasions, art projects, or commemorative themes offer a nostalgic and unique gift option for tourists and city enthusiasts.
MetroCards can be obtained from subway stations or kiosk machines in the city and are typically known for their classic yellow and blue design. However, limited-edition prints created in collaboration with artists, cards decorated with symbols of the city, or versions themed around pop culture are especially valued among collectors. If you’re looking for a simple yet meaningful souvenir to represent your New York trip, a used or specially designed MetroCard is an ideal and portable option.
10. Wall decorations reflecting NYC street art
New York’s street art culture has become an integral part of the city’s fabric, especially through the vibrant graffiti and mural works found in neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Bushwick, and Harlem. These artistic expressions reflect the city’s cultural diversity, social messages, and creative energy. Wall decorations featuring NYC street art bring these unique visuals into your home, allowing you to experience the artistic spirit of the city. Typically available as photo prints, metal plaques, canvas paintings, or wood-mounted pieces, these decorations carry both decorative and aesthetic value.
Such items can be found in art galleries, boutiques selling handmade goods, or souvenir shops. Decorations featuring reproductions of works by famous street artists (such as Banksy’s pieces in New York) or photographs of murals from areas like Harlem and Brooklyn are especially popular. Wall art inspired by NYC street art stands out not only as a decorative item but also as an artistic memento symbolizing the city’s modern culture, freedom, and power of expression.
11. Coffee or tea blends unique to New York
Coffee and tea blends unique to New York are special beverage options that reflect not only the city’s fast-paced and dynamic lifestyle but also its multicultural character. Especially in boutique cafés and tea houses in Manhattan and Brooklyn, unique blends infused with flavors from around the world can be found. New York-based brands are typically known for their dark roast, bold-flavored coffees. Additionally, specialty recipes such as chai latte, vanilla tea blends, or herbal teas containing lavender and orange peel are popular among both locals and tourists.
These beverage blends are presented in elegant packaging, such as glass jars or kraft paper bags, offering both a stylish appearance and long shelf life. Gift-ready packages often feature names like “NYC Roast” or “Brooklyn Blend.” For coffee and tea lovers, these products are not only flavorful and aromatic souvenirs but also perfect for reliving memories of time spent in the city once back home.
12. Handmade jewelry (from SoHo and Williamsburg)
SoHo and Williamsburg, two neighborhoods that reflect New York’s artistic and bohemian spirit, stand out when it comes to handmade jewelry. Local designers and artisans in these areas combine traditional techniques with modern styles to create unique and creative pieces. Made using natural stones, recycled metals, leather, glass beads, and even vintage components, these items range from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and rings. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, carrying the craftsmanship and personal style of its creator, and reflects the free-spirited essence of New York.
These handmade jewelry pieces can be easily found in boutiques near art galleries in SoHo, at open-air markets and art festivals in Williamsburg, or in designer stores. Presented in elegant boxes, they are favored as both aesthetic and meaningful gifts. For those seeking a personal and distinctive present, these pieces can be one of the most special and lasting memories of a trip to New York. Each item of jewelry is like a small work of art shaped by the inspiration of the city’s streets.
13. Deli-style pickles, mustard, or sauces
New York’s traditional deli culture is a unique culinary tradition where the city’s distinctive flavors were born and are still preserved. Inspired especially by Jewish delicatessens, this culture stands out with homemade pickles, aromatic mustards, and rich varieties of sauces. In well-established delicatessen shops in areas like Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, you can find unique products such as garlic dill pickles, honey mustard, horseradish sauce, and spicy ketchup. These flavors reflect New York’s multicultural character and local taste preferences.
These types of products are typically presented in glass jars with stylish packaging adorned with retro labels and, due to their long shelf life, are highly suitable for taking home as gifts after travel. They can be easily found in local food markets, gourmet shops, or directly at producers’ stores around the city. Deli-style pickles, mustards, and sauces are not just food items—they are authentic and flavorful souvenirs that bring the culinary heritage of New York into your home. Especially for gourmet flavor seekers and cooking enthusiasts, these products make wonderful gift options.
14. New York cheesecake mix or recipe books
New York cheesecake, with its creamy texture, rich flavor, and thick biscuit base, has gained worldwide fame as a dessert. This iconic treat is known as one of the most beloved representatives of New York’s culinary culture. Special cheesecake mixes sold in the city’s bakeries or gourmet shops are a great option for those who want to easily prepare this unique dessert at home. These mixes usually include the necessary dry ingredients and require only a few additional items before being ready to bake. They offer both convenience and a delicious reminder of a trip to New York.
Cheesecake recipe books are filled with instructions for both the classic New York style and modern variations enriched with different flavors. These books, often sold in boutique bookstores or gourmet shops, not only provide recipes but also include the dessert’s history and preparation techniques. With their aesthetically designed covers and rich content, they become both an inspiring and collectible gift for culinary enthusiasts. A New York cheesecake mix or recipe book is a special gift that appeals to both the palate and cultural curiosity of dessert lovers.
15. Vintage-style NYC maps
Vintage-style NYC maps are among the most unique souvenirs one can buy from New York, appealing to both history enthusiasts and those looking for decorative items. These maps often depict street layouts, old subway lines, or architectural features from the 19th or early 20th century, revealing the city’s transformation over time. Created with old printing techniques, sepia tones, and hand-drawn details, these maps hold aesthetic and cultural value for those who appreciate the nostalgic side of the city.
Vintage maps can be found in various sizes and framing options at art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, or souvenir stores. Especially popular as wall décor, these pieces are more than just city plans—they serve as windows into the past. Ideal for collectors and travel lovers alike, these maps offer a meaningful and elegant keepsake that brings the historical character and street spirit of New York into your home.
16. Art prints and souvenirs from MoMA, the Met, or the Guggenheim museums
World-renowned New York museums such as MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art), and the Guggenheim attract great interest not only with their unique art collections but also with the original souvenirs they offer to visitors. Reproductions of the artworks displayed in these museums are available in various forms such as posters, postcards, canvas prints, notebooks, and calendars, turning into elegant items that art lovers can use at home or in the office. For example, Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or Monet’s garden paintings are among the most popular prints at MoMA and the Met.
Moreover, the museum shops offer much more than just art prints; they feature a wide range of items including art-themed jewelry, bookmarks, puzzles, teacups, books, and stationery. These souvenirs are chosen both as decorative objects with aesthetic value and as meaningful keepsakes reflecting the city’s cultural richness. Especially for those interested in art, a gift from MoMA, the Met, or the Guggenheim makes for a valuable present that captures the artistic spirit of New York.
17. Special NYC-themed products from the Apple Store
Apple Stores in New York, especially the flagship store on 5th Avenue with its iconic glass cube design, attract both technology enthusiasts and tourists. These stores occasionally offer limited-edition Apple-themed products designed exclusively for New York. Examples include iPhone cases decorated with NYC symbols, AirTag keychains, MacBook stickers, or specially designed tote bags. These items often feature iconic city figures such as the Statue of Liberty, yellow taxis, the subway map, or the Empire State Building, combined with Apple’s minimalist style.
Due to Apple’s limited production strategy, these products carry collectible value and become exclusive mementos of your visit to New York. With their stylish packaging, high-quality materials, and modern design, they make ideal gifts for both yourself and tech-savvy loved ones. Additionally, as these special series are usually available only during specific periods and in limited quantities, an NYC-themed item from the Apple Store becomes a rare souvenir that aesthetically combines technology with admiration for the city.
18. Jazz records or music albums (from Harlem)
Harlem holds a special place in New York’s musical identity as one of the birthplaces and development centers of jazz music since the early 20th century. Legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday performed in Harlem’s iconic clubs, leaving a lasting mark on jazz history. At record stores or music shops in Harlem that preserve this cultural heritage, one can find both classic jazz records and special Harlem-themed compilation albums. Albums in vinyl format, in particular, offer a nostalgic atmosphere that allows listeners to truly feel the spirit of jazz.
These music albums are not just sound recordings for art lovers and collectors, but also cultural objects that reflect Harlem’s history, emotion, and artistic vision. With elegant cover designs, original recordings, and sometimes special notes from the artists, these records can be valuable additions to personal collections or meaningful gifts for those interested in music. A jazz album from Harlem offers a timeless souvenir that carries the soul of New York through the universal language of music.
19. NYC-themed puzzles or board games
NYC-themed puzzles and board games are among the souvenirs that bring together New York’s iconic sights and cultural symbols in a fun and engaging way. Puzzles featuring familiar landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square are visually impressive and decorative enough to be framed and displayed once completed. Offered in various difficulty levels, these puzzles appeal to all ages—from children to adults—and serve as an enjoyable keepsake to revisit at home after the trip.
In addition, board games centered around New York’s streets or subway lines stand out as both educational and entertaining gifts. These games may include simulations for exploring the city, trivia challenges, or strategy-based formats. Especially suited for families and groups of friends, these items offer a fun way to spend time together and act not only as games but also as creative tools for learning about the complex and captivating structure of New York. NYC-themed puzzles and board games are a great way to turn your trip into a memorable and interactive experience.
