Finding the Best Souvenirs to Color Your New York Trip
New York boasts countless souvenir shops, and with limited travel time, many visitors wonder, ‘Where can I find truly good things to buy?’ The ideal spots differ significantly depending on whether you’re looking for numerous ‘omiyage’ (bulk souvenirs) for colleagues or a special memento for yourself.
This article introduces five carefully selected spots, ranging from classic shops around Times Square, the heart of tourism, to long-established stores where you can experience the local New York vibe. We’ll provide practical price insights and shopping tips that travelers truly want to know.
Chelsea Market
📍 Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Renovated from an old Nabisco Oreo factory, ‘Chelsea Market’ is a massive food and shopping hall with charming brickwork and a retro-industrial atmosphere. It bustles with crowds daily and is an essential stop for travelers due to its efficiency in combining sightseeing, gourmet food, and souvenir hunting all in one place.
For souvenir shopping, ‘Fat Witch Bakery’ is a must-visit. Since its founding in 1998, it has been a beloved New York specialty. The packaging featuring a witch character is adorable, and their rich, moist brownies have a good shelf life, making them perfect souvenirs. You can buy individual brownies, and gift boxes are also popular presents for loved ones.
The food area within the market is also incredibly diverse, featuring popular lobster roll joints with endless queues, authentic tacos, Asian noodles, and other global cuisines. Weekend lunchtimes can be very crowded, so if you plan to eat, it’s best to visit in the early morning or slightly later in the afternoon to avoid the peak.
Grand Slam New York
📍 Address: 1557 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, USA
Located right in the heart of Times Square and operating since 1991, ‘Grand Slam New York’ is a strong ally for travelers looking for ‘quantity’ and ‘affordability.’ The store is packed with quintessential New York merchandise, including classic ‘I❤️NY’ T-shirts and hoodies, Statue of Liberty keychains, and mugs.
Among its three expansive floors, the basement is particularly useful for souvenir hunting. Compared to other tourist-priced shops in the area, you’ll often find similar items at significantly lower prices, making it the best value for money when buying small bulk souvenirs. Furthermore, it boasts a wide selection of official MLB merchandise from teams like the Yankees and Mets, including kids’ size uniforms.
However, a crucial shopping tip is to ‘check the quality.’ Because of the low prices, some items might have misprinted designs or slight stains. Always pick up the item and inspect its condition before purchasing; only take what you’re satisfied with to the register—that’s the smart local way to shop.
Memories of New York
📍 Address: 206 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA
Nestled in a quiet corner of 5th Avenue, right near the Flatiron Building, ‘Memories of New York’ is a warm and inviting long-established souvenir shop that stands apart from the hustle and bustle and mass-produced items of Times Square. It has been operating for over 30 years and is beloved by locals.
The greatest charm of this shop is the personality of its owner, Alper. When he realizes customers are Japanese tourists, he’ll friendly chat in Japanese, and sometimes offers a small postcard or sticker as a bonus with a purchase, providing heartwarming service. Such ‘personal interactions’ are what truly create the best travel memories.
The selection is also very tasteful, featuring meticulously crafted Christmas ornaments, snow globes, and unique vintage-style trinkets not found elsewhere, making them perfect high-quality items for self-rewards or gifts for beloved family members. We wholeheartedly recommend this excellent shop for those who wish to calmly and leisurely choose something special.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
📍 Address: 20 Times Square, 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA
Located in Times Square, ‘Hershey’s Chocolate World’ is the flagship store of America’s iconic chocolate brand. As you step inside, you’re greeted by the sweet aroma of chocolate and a delightful service: a free Hershey’s Kiss from the staff at the entrance.
Inside, you’ll find familiar Kit Kat and Hershey’s Kisses, along with limited flavors and giant-sized packages rarely seen in Japan, such as ‘Reese’s,’ a peanut butter treat beloved by Americans. Compared to its competitor, M&M’s, candies and gummies are generally more affordably priced here, and bulk discounts (e.g., ‘4 for X dollars’) are frequent. So, if you’re looking for treats to distribute to colleagues or school friends, this store tends to be more budget-friendly.
Towards the back of the store, there’s a café counter where you can enjoy sweets like giant S’mores and rich milkshakes. There are also interactive activities such as ‘REESE’S Stuff Your Cup,’ where you can customize the filling of a giant peanut butter cup, making it an exciting space just to explore.
M&M’s
📍 Address: 1600 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA
Just a short walk from Hershey’s, also towering in Times Square, is the massive flagship store of ‘M&M’s.’ Its overwhelmingly spacious interior is filled with colorful character merchandise and wall-to-wall bulk chocolate dispensers, brimming with the excitement of a theme park.
The selection of ‘New York exclusive merchandise’ available only here is exceptional. Green M&M’s character dispensers dressed as the Statue of Liberty, or mugs featuring characters as firefighters (FDNY) and police officers (NYPD), make for catchy souvenirs that clearly say ‘I’ve been to New York!’ Apparel is also abundant, with practical items like T-shirts and pajama pants.
Another highlight is the personalized service where you can print your own photo or a favorite message directly onto M&M’s chocolates. While the price is around the typical Times Square tourist rate (starting from just under $30), a one-of-a-kind original chocolate makes for a special and memorable travel souvenir.
Times Square Shopping Tips
When searching for souvenirs in New York, the Times Square area is an absolute must-visit, but there are smart strategies for navigating it. First, Hershey’s and M&M’s are very close to each other, so hopping between both to compare is a classic route. You’ll likely find greater satisfaction by distinguishing your purchases: buy inexpensive, bulk ‘distributable sweets’ at Hershey’s, and visually appealing ‘limited edition packages’ and ‘character goods’ at M&M’s.
Another characteristic of this area is that many stores are open until late at night. This allows you to browse for souvenirs leisurely after a musical or dinner. The secret to maximizing your time is to dedicate valuable daylight hours to museum visits and sightseeing, and then consolidate your shopping at night. However, carrying many shopping bags at night can make you a target for pickpockets, so if your hotel is far, use taxis or ride-share apps wisely to return safely.
