Best Boston Souvenirs

By Dom Bewley
boston souvenirs

Hello there! Welcome to the gift shop. Sadly, we only have one thing in stock. It's this guide to the best souvenirs in Boston. Hopefully, you aren't looking for ice cream. We don't sell those. But, if you're interested in the best Boston souvenirs, you're in luck, partner. Here's a menu with all of the best souvenirs in Boston.

Including:

  • Freedom Trail memorabilia
  • Boston Red Sox souvenirs
  • Harvard attire
  • Baked beans - really
  • Irish things
  • and more!
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Freedom Trail frills

The Freedom Trail is one of Boston's most important historical landmarks. So, why not commemorate your journey down the red brick road with some keepsakes? Right next to the Paul Revere House, you'll find North End Gift Shoppe, which sells all manner of freedom-esque attire, from freedom hats to freedom slacks. Want a freedom snowglobe? No? Well tough luck, because you're buying one before you leave! Why not take a tour that will lead you right there?

Godly bothers

Ever wondered if a church would dare sell gift shop oddities? Wonder no more; just hop on down to Old North Church and browse through the shop's many Boston-themed souvenirs. Books? Yes. Clothing? Yes. Jewelry? Yes! You can even pick up inspirational items like nativity figures for your very own Jesus Christ-approved Christmas setup. Holy Moses!

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You're a consumer, Harry!

Any Potterphiles out there can also pick up some awesome wizarding merch at the Harry Potter Shop. Grab your wand and fly to Newbury Street, and enter a world of wizarding wonder. Mugs, wands, scarves, and anything else any depressed muggle would want to brighten up their banal, magic-free lives.

Put your red sox on

Whether you're a baseball fan or not, the Boston Red Sox is arguably one of the most famous bat/ball teams in the world. In the last twenty years, they've won the World Series four times, and every year, rabid fans gather around Fenway Park to cheer them on. So, why not go grab some sweet Red Sox memorabilia during your trip? The team store contains loads of great baseball content, like jerseys, baseballs, hats, yearbooks, and collecting cards. Even if the stadium doesn't interest you, you'll find plenty of vendors around the city proudly displaying their wares.

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Bunker down

One of the most famous battles of the War of Independence took place at Bunker Hill. So you can bet your bottom dollar that there's a shop full of memorabilia for you to purchase. Located off of the Freedom Trail, the Bunker Hill Monument has its own gift shop, where you can pick up Bunker-related souvenirs and other oddities dedicated to both the battle and Boston itself. So, have at it.

Also other sports things!

Besides the Red Sox, Boston has a handful of other famous sports franchises that call it home. At the TD Garden, you'll find shops dedicated to both the basketballing Boston Celtics, and the hockey-pucking Boston Bruins. So go pick up a t-shirt, hat, or jersey and wear them with pride. So what if you're not from Boston? Who's going to stop you? No one, that's who.

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J R R Token

When visiting Boston, chances are you'll take the subway at one time. But long before the advent of contactless cards and digital ticket readers, Bostonites used something else to get through the gates. That's right, people, we're talking about subway tokens. So why not commemorate your vacation and pick one up for yourself at the MBTA gift shop? Sure, it might be a useless sliver of finely crafted metal now, but boy does it tell a story. A story of how people used to pay to ride the subway. They even sell other subway-related memorabilia like toy subways. Perfect for kids who just can't get enough of riding the subway trains. Kids, ey? Easily pleased.

Harvard? I hardly knew...ard

One stop on your Boston tour should be the city's famous Harvard University. Not only can you take a tour of the facilities with a real, authentic, 100% human student, but you can even visit the campus' rather fantastic Natural History Museum. But why would anyone believe you even went without any proof? Well, don't worry about that; just pick up some sweet Harvard threads and other things at the Harvard Shop! Yes, even you could pretend you attended Harvard by buying a sweet hoodie, or sports-related jacket. Then, use what you learned on the tour to convince others that, yes, you were worthy to walk its halls and learn many things about things.

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Luck of the Irish

Do you ever wonder whether you have too few Irish things in your abode? Need a little green to add to the sheen? Well, guess what? You can do it! Simply head on over to one of the many Irish-themed souvenir shops you'll find in the city. Our recommendation is Southie's Own on W Broadway, where you'll find plenty of delightful Irish oddities to purchase with real money. Do you like Shamrocks? They sell many things adorned with the sprig, including hats. They also sell flags. These should suffice.

In the Beantime

Baked beans. Love them or hate them; they do exist. We can prove it! Boston is even called Beantown because they became a staple for settlers of the New World. See, proved. And, if you're visiting Beantown, sorry, Boston, then why not pick up the town's modernized take on the humble bean? Nothing quite says America like adding sugar and meat flavors to a healthy legume. These delicious treats are worth the investment, and will be the perfect gift to any friend you'd like to confuse. So go on, get beany with it! Sorry. That was inappropriate.

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Adamized

And finally, let's end with one of Boston's most famous exports; beer! You may have heard of a little brew called Samuel Adams? Well, that tasty treat is based in Boston, so why not buy a t-shirt or other form of clothing that celebrates the suds at the brewery's gift shop? They do hats, beer, coasters, beer, shirts, and even beer. So what are you waiting for?

Thanks for reading the menu; hopefully, it helped you discover the best Boston souvenirs. Looking for more Boston fun? Here's our guide to the best times to visit the city! But what if Boston isn't safe? Well, you can find out if it is right here (spoiler alert: it is).

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Best walks in Boston

On your marks, get set... walk! That’s the way to do Boston, anyway. Unassuming, academic and full of history, this city is the ideal place to stretch your legs as it’s also very accessible, very flat, and very pretty. There’s a good mix of city lights and green spaces, and the Charles River winds serenely on its way to Massachusetts Bay offering lovely walks along the esplanade. Beware the weather – the icy wind off the Atlantic can make things pretty wet and chilly in winter – but don’t let it put you off! Fuel up on some Boston baked beans, grab your raincoat and try out one of these awesome Boston walks: The Freedom Trail Financial District to the Theater District The Movie Mile Harvard to MIT The Battle Green Tour The Emerald Necklace Trail The Freedom Trail Many key events of the American Revolutionary War took place in Boston, and a lot of these historical sites are now accessible to visitors. To make it easy, 16 of them are connected by the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail which runs from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. It’s marked by a red path on the ground so you can’t really get lost – but if you’re finding all the history a little disorientating then use your pass to take a Freedom Trail Foundation guided tour. It covers 11 of the 16 sites on the trail, including Massachusetts State House, the USS Constitution and the site of the Boston Massacre. Your guide – complete in 18th century costume – will share all the stories of revenge and revolution so you won’t get your dates and declarations in a tangle. The Financial District to the Theater District This easy walk gives you a great overview of the modern and historic side of Boston in just a couple of hours. Start at the World Trade Center bus stop and enjoy the view of the wharf and Congress Bridge before exploring the financial district. Here, as well as being able to witness Boston’s buzzing economy in motion, you’ll find the Boston Children’s Museum, the Boston Tea Party Museum, King’s Chapel and Burial Ground and the Irish Famine Memorial. Soak up the history, then go for some retail therapy at Downtown Crossing before heading towards the Theater District via Washington Street and Tremont Street. This route will take you past Chinatown, which makes a colorful diversion if you’re feeling peckish, and you’ll come out by the Shubert and Wang Theaters. From here, it’s an easy saunter to Boston Common, where you can either have a look around Emerson College Campus or just flop down on the grass and give your legs a rest. The Movie Mile Many of Boston’s iconic landmarks are familiar to us because we’ve seen them so often on film and television – so why not get to know them in person? Take the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour with Go City and discover over 30 locations you may have seen in films like Ted, Good Will Hunting and The Departed, or TV shows like Ally McBeal and Cheers. You’ll take in quiet, unassuming neighborhoods, historic homes, the original Cheers pub and the bench where Robin Williams and Matt Damon shot one of their most famous scenes. Make sure your big and small screen trivia knowledge is up to date, as your guide may just quiz you along the way! Harvard to MIT This is a great walk that combines two of the city’s most famous institutions with a generous taste of student life in the city. North of the river in Cambridge, these two academic heavyweights are only a mile or so apart, but a slightly detoured route will also take you past Harvard Stadium (home of the New England Patriots until the 70s) and Harvard Business School. Explore Harvard Square on your own or join a guided tour, then head west over the Anderson Memorial Bridge towards the stadium. If you’re lucky, there might be a game going on, if not, it’s still worth a wander around. From there, turn down Harvard Way past the Baker Library to the Business School, and then circle back to the river and use the Western Avenue Bridge to cross back over. Turn left and walk along the river to Magazine Beach, then head east towards MIT. If you need more intellectual inspiration, you can take another guided tour, or check out the List Visual Arts Center. The “Let it Begin Here” Battle Green Tour Take a deep dive into American Revolutionary History with a guided tour of Lexington Battle Green, included with your Go City Boston Pass. This small area is of huge historical significance, being the place where the first shots of the war were fired. See the Old Belfry that sounded the alarm, the Buckman Tavern where nervous militiamen gathered the night before the battle, the Revolutionary War Monument, the Old Burying Ground and the Henry H. Kitson Minuteman Statue. Hear stories of how the battle unfolded, George Washington’s thoughts on the whole affair, and the meaning behind the famous “Stand your ground” inscription. You’ll also see some houses and other buildings dating from the same era, so you can really feel that you’ve traveled back in time. The Emerald Necklace walk A favorite among locals and visitors alike, this walk gets its name from the way it links a chain of sparkling parks and green spaces through the city. It’s a great one if you want to get away from the concrete jungle and give your legs a proper stretch – it’s around nine miles and does include some elevation, so allow up to four hours – more if you want to stop for a picnic somewhere! Start in Franklin Park – Boston’s largest, where you’ll also find the Franklin Zoo. From here, the walk takes you through the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, Jamaica Pond, Olmsted Park and along the Riverway to Muddy River. This route also takes you past the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Continue along the long, green space that is the Commonwealth Avenue Mall all the way to the Public Garden, then either cross the suspension bridge or take the left path past the Robin Williams Memorial Bench. Finish by exploring Boston Common and be sure to take a selfie in front of Brewer Fountain! Step it up with Go City You can walk pretty much anywhere in Boston! Make sure you don’t miss anything with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass and save on dozens of attractions around the city.
Karleen Stevens
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A Week in Boston Itinerary - 5 to 7 Days in Boston for a Fun Filled Vacation

Upcoming week in Boston? Here are our picks to ensure your vacay is packed full of fun activities and historic sights!
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boston back bay
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Things to do in Back Bay, Boston

Back Bay is one of Boston's most affluent districts, with plenty of places to go and things to see. So, if you're visiting Boston and thinking of staying in the area, you'll want to know what's good. Well, we'll tell you what's good. Right here, right now. Read on, and discover the best things to do in Back Bay, Boston! Including: Trinity Church Boston Public Library The Mapparium Boston Marathon Survivor Memorial Places to eat and more! The Holy Trinity (Church) Let's start this shindig with something holy. If you want to explore a fascinating holy place, whether you're religious or not, check out Trinity Church. Even from the outside, its ornate design is mesmerizing. But step inside, and you'll be treated to a feast for the eyes. Practically every inch was handpainted, and the whole thing was overseen by prominent American artist John La Farge. From the pre-Raphaelite windows to the awe-inspiring murals, it's a great place to visit in Back Bay. The church itself does lots of community outreach, so if you're in the area on a Sunday, feel free to go to one of their services. Words are worth it Libraries are the spine of our nation. That was a book pun, and no, we won't apologize. Wordplay is one of life's many joys. And if you like wordplay, books, and libraries, then you'll love Boston Public Library! What a terrible segue! This labyrinthine monument to learning is a frequent hang spot for students and researchers. Visitors will often find students at their laptops, staring at empty word documents with tears in their eyes. But never mind them, they made their bed. Instead, get lost in its many, many aisles. You'll likely find any book you're looking for within its massive walls. But if that wasn't enough, there are also regular talks and readings held there throughout the year, and you can even get a tour of the place if you're too overwhelmed by all the learning. Map it out Mary Baker Eddy was a special person. Not only did she overcome the adversity that came with being a female academic in the 19th-century, but she wrote a groundbreaking book that kicked off the movement that we now know as Christian Science. So, why not find out more about this fascinating woman at The Mapparium? You'll walk across a bridge through the three-story, stained-glass Mapparium globe, enhanced with music and special lighting effects. It will give you a whole new perspective of Earth's geography, thanks to the concave, mirror-imaged view it offers. Explore the library, which has artifacts from her life you won't see anywhere else. You'll learn how The Mapparium was built and take a guided tour of The First Church of Christ. In the original 1894 church building, you'll find one of the world's largest pipe organs too! Image courtesy of Jesse Costa/WBUR To those we lost The Boston Marathon bombing was an event that shook the world. If you would like to pay your respects, you can visit the Boston Marathon Survivors Monument. The artist worked diligently with the families of the deceased in its design, ensuring it captured their spirit and personality. The two installations on Boylston Street are 20ft tall bronze spires that contain light-emitting glass tubes, ensuring the people taken in the bombing will be remembered forever. Where to eat You may need a bite to eat after all that sightseeing. Thankfully, Back Bay has some fantastic eateries that will welcome you with open arms. These are our favorites! If you're looking for interesting Far East dishes, then Uni will fit you like a Japanese glove. This contemporary izakaya restaurant offers a host of street food-inspired plates, as well as Japanese favorites like Sashimi and Nigiri. Take a seat beneath the dim lighting, explore the expansive menu, and find a new dish to add to your favorites! If American seafood dishes are more your thing, don't you worry. Select Oyster Bar brings New England Seafood to your table, with a Mediterranean twist to boot. While you're free to stop by for a glass of wine and some oysters, you'll be missing out if you don't hunker down for dinner. The Maine Lobster Salad is something else, and for a fish joint, they even do a mean rib eye! Speaking of rib eye, if steaks more you scene, Grill 23 is one of the best in the country. This award-winning steakhouse is the go-to site for local business meetings, so bear that in mind if you're thinking of heading there on a weekday. But never mind the white-collar hollering, sit down, stare at their table until they relent, and enjoy some of the juiciest steaks around. Where to drink Let's end this with a look at the nightlife. If you're looking for a drink or three to see out the evening, then Back Bay has many delightful watering holes, no matter your desire. Want something casual? Try The Pour House. This sports bar contains a whopping 17 TV screens, showing a variety of games throughout the week. You'll also find a wealth of affordable beers, bar food, and your standard cocktails. It may be a no-frills kind of place, but sometimes, that's exactly what you're looking for. In the mood for something slightly fancier? City Bar is an elegant watering hole located in the century-old Lenox Hotel. And, given the likes of Babe Ruth and John Travolta have graced its elegant tables at one time or another, it's the kind of pedigree that guarantees you a great cocktail and a great time. Combine that with a hefty wine list, romantic lighting, and swanky decor, and it's the perfect date spot if you're looking to impress that someone special. And finally, if you're looking for something a little louder, then you have to hit up the Bukowski Tavern. Named after famed author Charles Bukowski, who penned the likes of Factotum and Ham on Rye, among many other novels and poems, this is a Boston bar through and through. You'll find a huge selection of delicious beers, brewed both locally and abroad, some high-quality bar bites, and the kind of larger-than-life atmosphere that makes Boston the city it is! And that's our list of the best things to do in Back Bay, Boston!
Dom Bewley

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