Whether you’re meeting the parents for the first time, visiting family abroad (or perhaps Ohio) or you just want to prove to your L.A. friends that New York is better, you’ll need to up your gift game and bring them a little something that they won’t be able to find at the airport. Here are three spots in Lower Manhattan where you can find souvenirs they’ll actually want that are as unique as our beloved city itself.
New York Transit Museum Shop
Train enthusiasts and lovers of public transportation will find everything they could ever dream of at the New York Transit Museum gift shop, from wearable merch to books to collectible maps and an impressive collection of toys. You can buy your loved ones eclectic trinkets like a hat or t-shirt repping your commute line, souvenirs featuring the iconic yellow (and soon to be defunct) MetroCard, cufflinks made from vintage New York transit tokens or a coffee table book detailing the history of the extensive system. The shop also sells prints of art featured in the subway cars from the past 20+ years. (2 Broadway)
The Museum Store at the National Museum of the American Indian
For history that runs deeper than the subway system, head to the National Museum of the American Indian downtown. Located inside the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, the museum showcases artifacts dating back 12,000 years. The museum gift shop has beautiful items like handmade Native American silver and turquoise jewelry, homewares like blankets and pottery with traditional patterns and kids’ toys, which together represent many different Native groups. This store is a must when gifting for those interested in the earliest New Yorkers. (1 Bowling Green)
Spoiled Parrot at Tin Building
For a candy shop, this one caters to a slightly different crowd: kids at heart. The surprisingly boujee confectionery at Tin Building by Jean-Georges offers a dizzying assortment of treats from around the globe, including a section of made in New York sweets. You can’t go wrong with any of the plethora of goodies, but you’ll really nail it if you give one of the adorable Jacques Torres NYC boxes of chocolate covered blueberries or pomegranate seeds. Plus, there’s an ice cream counter inside that’ll help you curb your sweet tooth while you shop. (96 South St.)
