Boston Souvenirs

You might want to bring home something relating to Boston’s cultural mainstays – its history and strong ties to the Revolutionary War, its Irish heritage, its arts scene, and, of course, its sports teams. Certain apparel, books, collectibles, and images associated with Boston make for particularly authentic souvenirs.

Sports Souvenirs

Boston is positively brimming with passion for its sports teams – if you visit the city while any team is in the playoffs, you will see high-rise buildings lit in team colors and historic statues wearing jerseys. The options for sports souvenirs are consequently endless. Team gear, including jerseys, hats, and other clothing items, are available in sporting gear stores across the city as well as in the official team stores (for the Red Sox, outside Fenway Park and for the Bruins and Celtics at the TD Garden). The New England Patriots play at Gillette Stadium, which is located in Foxboro about 40 minutes south of Boston, but Patriots gear is still easy to come by in Boston sports stores.

Other souvenir ideas include pennants, posters, coffee table books, framed photos of Boston sports legends like Ted Williams, Bill Russell, and Bobby Orr, mugs and glasses, official balls, and small mementos like key chains with team logos.  Less official T-shirts with fun slogans or references (ubiquitous ones for the Red Sox include anti-Yankee jokes and phrases like “Green Monstah”) are usually available from carts and stands outside the stadiums at game time.

History Souvenirs

Boston’s go-to activity for history buffs is the Freedom Trail, a two-and-a-half mile walking trail through the heart of Boston that leads to 16 different historic sites mostly relating to the American Revolution. There are several places to buy mementos along the Freedom Trail, including in the gift shop at the Paul Revere House, and at carts and souvenir shops in the Faneuil Hall area. Literature and map reproductions, replicas of Revere’s silverwork, mugs, toys for children, and other household items are all great Freedom Trail souvenirs.

The trail also stops at the USS Constitution, a national symbol and the oldest warship still afloat in the world.  The on-site USS Constitution Museum has a shop featuring period silverware, stuffed animals and dolls in naval uniforms, photos and paintings, history books, and models of Old Ironsides herself.

Guidebooks, audio guides, and postcards can also be purchased online through the Freedom Trail Foundation.

Art Souvenirs

The Boston Harbor, downtown area, and Charles River all provide great cityscapes for photographs and paintings. Wander down Newbury Street or around Copley Square in the spring or summer and it’s easy to find street vendors and artists selling images like this.

The Museum of Fine Arts, the largest art museum in New England and one of the most visited in the country, also has three gift shops inside for art-related souvenirs and books.

Performing arts fans who visit the Boston Ballet during will also have the chance to purchase souvenirs from Boston’s resident ballet company. Autographed pointe shoes, photos and posters, accessories, and clothing items are available from the company’s Ballet Shop at its studios on Clarendon Street, as well as at the theater during performances.

One piece of literature that is closely associated with and beloved in Boston is the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, the story of a family of ducks in the Boston Public Garden and the Boston policeman who helps them out. The book is the inspiration behind the bronze duck statues in the Public Garden, and the book makes a great souvenir for children who enjoyed the real-life statues. The book, originally published in 1941, is a Boston classic and is available in local bookstores as well as many souvenir shops.

Irish Traditions

Boston is known for its Irish heritage, and Irish pride is still a big part of local culture. Visitors can easily find shamrock and Celtic cross key chains, Irish flags, and South Boston T-shirts (Boston’s traditionally Irish neighborhood) as souvenirs all around the city. 

Boston Breweries

Another way to bring home a piece of Boston is to visit its two major breweries – Harpoon, located on the waterfront, and Sam Adams, located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. These two brands are beloved in Boston and beyond, and visitors can take home beer mugs, glasses, and apparel with the breweries’ logos.

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