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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Boston MFA Discount Tickets & Tips for Visiting

Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is truely a premier museum of art, featuring global and timeless collections, from Egyptian statues and tombs, to fine Benin Kingdom sculptures, to European masters like Renoir, and modern legends like Van Gogh and Picasso. The Museum’s diverse, extensive, and eclectic artwork is presented inside a magnificent, stone palatial building on Huntington Avenue. Here, the Museum of Fine Arts not only curates and cares for the works, but through their many programs, tours, and activities, they help people of all ages understand, engage, and create art. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more. Looking for Boston MFA Discount Tickets? We’ve got you covered – Museum of Fine Arts admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Tips for Visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Before visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, look through the list of activities and tours, all free with admission. The tours can be as general as “Highlights of the Museum,” to tours that focus on a single tradition like “Art of the Ancient World,” to something even more specific like “Gaugain’s Lush Colors and Island Landscapes.” Each tours is led by friendly and wildly knowledgeable guides. Activities are a great way to get closer to the art and its creation. The Artist Toolbox Cart series, for example, gives you the great opportunity of handling artists' tools and view the results of their use on step-by-step demonstration pieces. Even more exciting, every Wednesday, there’s a free opportunity to sketch live models, and/or objects in the Museum of Fine Arts collection. A drawing instructor there will provide insights on technique and artist-model relationships. If you want to go off on your own, but still enjoy the depth and auditory nature of a guide, you can rent the MFA Guide audio tour for six dollars for adults, and four dollars for kids seventeen and under. The Museum of Fine Arts offers these tours in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese languages. Additionally, Museum of Fine Arts accommodates visitors who are blind, low vision, deaf, or hard of hearing, with a free mobile MFA Guide, providing touch screens with a reading option, text transcripts, neckloops for hearing aids with T-switches as well as headsets. Furthermore, the Museum of Fine Arts supplies ASL videos for many starred stops, and its own mini tour as well. If you read every word in an art museum, you’re apt to spend more time reading blurbs from gray plaques than actually experiencing art. On the other hand, according to a study conducted by the Louvre, the museum attendee spends a mere 15 seconds on the Mona Lisa on average. That’s right, a five-Mississippi on da Vinci’s masterpiece. The tip for solving this “study versus breeze by” paradox is this: begin each gallery at the large plaque that reads, “In this gallery...” It’s not always by the opening you enter through, given the wandering nature of the halls, rooms, and side-rooms. It is, however, always worth it. The Museum of Fine Arts does an excellent job at providing just enough context, whether political, historical, or rooted in an artistic trend, without ever imposing a rigid structure on the collection. Then, as you walk through the room, you can’t help but note an inherent logic that threads the pieces of art together, putting them in conversation with each other, and importantly, with you. If you read the gallery plaques, you’ll find yourself noting the story element of the priest in the background of Steen’s “The Sacrifice of Iphigenia,” for instance. While you may not find yourself drawn to every piece, you’ll likely spend quality time with the ones that do, making for a much more meaningful experience of art. Avoid the stern, yet fair admonishment of the museum staff by ensuring your camera’s flash is not on. Luckily, you can take non-flash pictures throughout the museum. If you’re the artistic type, don’t forget to bring your sketchpad or drawing board (no bigger than 18” by 24”) and your pencils. Charcoal, watercolors, crayons, and pastels are not allowed. With its abundance of styles, from Japanese ink strokes to ornate Iranian design, there are endless hours of learning and emulating to do within the halls. If Boston is in the throes of the notoriously harsh winter, don’t be afraid to bundle up in a bulky, warm jacket. The museum offers a complimentary coat and bag check service. If you’re bringing children, view the available kids’ programs and activities. Schedule your visit around one of the MFA playdates, or let the MFA Kids’ Tour’s group of animated characters help bring art to life. You can also download the Art Connections activity cards to give the visit a game component. Furthermore, the Museum of Fine Arts has kid-friendly meal options in their Garden Cafeteria, baby-changing stations in bathrooms, and an area designated for nursing. Best Times to Visit Weekday afternoons, and evenings (open until 9:30 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) will give you the most space and quiet to enjoy the museum. What to See There are so many collections and exhibitions (always adding new ones) that we couldn't do the MFA justice by listing them all. Instead, below is just a taste of some of the things we recommend you take some time to see during your visit. John Singer Sargent Thanks to Sargent’s ties to Boston, where he received his first solo show and multiple commissions, there is a uniquely extensive collection of his work that provides a sense of his artwork as a whole. In the atrium, you can see his preliminary sketches, and then look up and see their realized paintings and friezes on the domed ceiling. Furthermore, his large collection in the Art of the Americas is highlighted by “The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit,” and framed by the tall and elegant vases featured in the painting. Kingdom of Benin Recently, the Museum of Fine Arts accepted 34 pieces of rare West African works of art. Like the long-standing Egyptian collection, these pieces allow the Museum of Fine Arts and the viewer to reconstruct the characteristics of their civilization, and imagine the use of their recovered everyday objects and the meaning of palace artwork in their culture. These intricately detailed, expertly carved wooden statues and high relief plaques not only reflect their way of life, they demonstrate the civilizations sophisticated artistic style. Art of Europe The Art of Europe is the largest collection in the Museum of Fine Arts, likely taking an entire day and you still won’t have really seen it. The collection works its way through 14th and 15th century iconography, the Italian Renaissance, to the rococo of the 18th century, through the Flemish masters, to French Impressionism, and arrives at modernity, as depicted by Munch, Picasso and Gauguin. Simply walking through the collection will give you a sense of the arc of European history as a whole. Nearby Attractions James P. Kelleher Rose Garden might be the perfect place to see art outside the walls of the museum. A five minute stroll will take you from the Museum of Fine Arts into the Back Bay Fen where a profusion of petaled blossoms, white, red and pink, circle around a fountain, tumble off a trellis, or float suspended from an archway. Round out the day’s cultural experience with a trip to the sports icon--Fenway Park, home of the Green Monster. Even if the Socks aren’t playing, you can sign up for a one hour walking tour of Fenway. Just don’t call it a stadium. Even the security guards will correct you: “You mean the ballpahk?” The Boston Symphony Orchestra is world renowned, and the hall’s interior is stunning. You may forget which century you’re in. Now in 132 season, The Boston Symphony Orchestra performs excellent shows of a variety of styles. Places to Eat Nearby The Museum of Fine Arts offers multiple dining options. Bravo's couples a dark and classy ambience with a excellent cuisine for a sophisticated experience. The New American Cafe puts you in the center of the museum's excitement and grandeur of the vast Shapiro Courtyard, while delivering amazing seasonal dishes. Fittingly located near the contemporary art, The Taste Cafe and Wine Bar features fine coffee, as well as a bite to eat-- sandwiches, salads, desserts and gelato. Last but not least, The Garden Cafeteria, satisfies your favorites. It's the perfect place for families to get burgers, pizza, sandwiches and more. In walking distance of the Museum of Fine Arts, El Pelon Taqueria cooks up delicious Mexican favorites. Their fresh guacamole is a must try. Less than a mile away, the highly-esteemed Island Creek Oyster Bar upholds the tradition of excellent Boston seafood, with mid-atlantic tilefish, grilled Maine salmon, lobster, and land-based dishes like New York strip steak, and roasted chicken that’s just as good. Re-living the collegiate experience? Or just plain living it? Boston students flock to Chicken Joe’s Inc. for cheap, but tasty subs and sandwiches. Need to Know Hours Saturday-Tuesday, 10:00 am-4:45 pm Wednesday-Friday, 10:00am-9:45pm Closings: New Year's Day, Patriot's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day All holiday hours are subject to change without notice. Directions & Address 465 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Public Transportation: Take the T: Green Line E train to Museum of Fine Arts stop. Orange Line to Ruggles Street stop. Save on Tickets with a Go Boston Card Remember, the Go Boston® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Boston Museum of Fine Arts tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Lindsay Eagan
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The Institute of Contemporary Art or Museum of Science

Boston has always been a forward-thinking kinda town, its role in the American Revolution being the stuff of legend. That rich history is writ large through the city streets, much of it effectively an open-air museum devoted to that era. But the progressive spirit lives on. It’s there in the fantastic street art and futuristic city skyline, dominated by soaring skyscrapers, among them One Dalton and the space-age John Hancock Tower, New England’s tallest building. Beantown institutions like the Museum of Science and Institute of Contemporary Arts also keep the innovation alive, with eye-popping exhibits and interactive installations that will blow your mind. We took a look inside to find out what to expect from the ICA and Museum of Science, including the highlights of each, plus how to get tickets. Museum of Science: the Lowdown Vital Statistics: Every great city deserves a great science museum, and Boston is no exception, boasting one of the best in the world. Initially founded as a scientific society in 1830, the MoS began morphing into a museum in 1862, eventually growing into the beautiful butterfly that spans the Charles River today. And it’s quite the whopper indeed, with more than 700 exhibits, plus a planetarium, IMAX theater and zoo.  The Museum of Science in Brief: This mind-expanding hub of innovation contains exhibits galore, with opportunities to explore the wonders of the prehistoric world, the human body, outer space and beyond. We’re talking a near-complete triceratops skeleton, indoor lightning bolts, an AI-powered robotic dog, and optical illusions that will boggle your mind. And that’s just for starters! Join live interactive presentations throughout the day, get involved in engineering design challenges, and say hey to the 100+ cute critters that call the Live Animal Care Center home. You can also immerse yourself in wraparound movie experiences at New England’s only IMAX theater, and experience eye-popping space visuals in the epic Charles Hayden Planetarium. Family Friendly? A fine day out for curious kids young and old, this one is very family friendly and attracts something in the order of 1.5 million science-hungry visitors every year. Getting in: The exhibition halls at Boston’s Museum of Science are open 9AM-5PM daily. General admission is included with a Boston pass from Go City. The pass includes access to stacks of Boston activities, tours and attractions, including the Museum of Science, plus the Museum of Fine Arts, the Freedom Trail walking tour, Paul Revere House, a sunset harbor cruise, and more. Find out how you could save up to 50% with the Boston pass, and get yours here.  Note that shows in the theaters and planetarium require additional tickets, which can be purchased direct via the MoS website. Museum of Science Highlights If you have even a passing interest in how the human body (yes, yours!) works, then the Hall of Human Life is for you. Find out what’s really keeping you awake at night and test the efficiency of your gait across multiple interactive exhibits. Hair-raising fun awaits in the Theater of Electricity, where you can see the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator produce its own lightning bolts. Electric! Young minds will be blown in the AI exhibit. Meet the museum’s robot dog and get the chance to interact with AI-generated art. No visit to the Museum of Science would be complete without saying hey to the 65-million-year-old resident of Triceratops Cliff. One of only four near-complete triceratops fossils on display anywhere in the world, it’s sure to keep the kids talking for weeks afterwards. The Charles Hayden Planetarium combines stunning starscapes with music by some of the biggest names in rock and pop – Prince, David Bowie, Rihanna and more – for a multi-sensory experience that’s out of this world. Institute of Contemporary Art: the Lowdown Vital Statistics: Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art has been around since 1936, and in its current home – a striking industrial-style building in the Seaport District – since 2006. Previously an exhibition space only, the ICA has spent the last two decades amassing its own permanent collection, adding hundreds of sculptures, paintings, prints, photos and installations to its rotating roster of visiting exhibitions and performance art. The museum also acquired and renovated a nearby exhibition space (the ICA Watershed), which hosts a different artist takeover every year. The ICA in Brief: Displayed in an extraordinary cantilevered building that seems to hover over the waterfront, the ICA’s permanent collection includes visually stunning works from established and emerging artists. Expect to see signature pieces from the likes of Cornelia Parker, Nan Goldin, Taylor Davis, Marlene Dumas and Laylah Ali, to name only a few. Check out the ICA website for information on all current and forthcoming exhibitions. Family Friendly? Art-lovin’ grown-ups will be in clover here, and there’s enough to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours, too, thanks to the institute’s visually arresting exhibits and installations, plus gallery game cards that allow the little 'uns to experience the space as a ‘thinker, maker, explorer, or performer’. Families of four (with maximum two kids aged 12 or under) go free on on the last Saturday of each month. These Play Date Saturdays include hands-on art-making, performance, films, and more. Getting in: The ICA is open 10AM-5PM Tuesday-Sunday, with late opening until 9PM on Thursdays and Fridays. General admission is $20, with free admission after 5PM on Thursdays – advance booking for free tickets and events is highly recommended. ICA Highlights The ICA’s cantilevered harbor building is every bit the contemporary art space, all bright, intimate galleries and glass corridors that appear to hover over the water below. Don’t miss Eva Hesse’s gravity-defying minimalist 1960s piece ‘Ennead’, or Cornelia Parker’s signature ‘Hanging Fire’, a mesmerizing kinetic sculpture made from carbonized wood pieces. There’s also a thought-provoking collection of photographs by Boston’s own Nan Goldin.  The ICA Watershed is open from spring to fall for a single artist takeover every year. You can visit for free – just hop on the ferry from the ICA for sculptures and art installations on an epic scale inside this former warehouse. Previous exhibitors include John Akomfrah, Diana Thater and Guadalupe Maravilla. Museum of Science or Institute of Contemporary Art: Which is Better? In truth, you should put both of these venerable Boston institutions on your must-see list. Because anyone who has an even vaguely curious mind or takes joy from thought-provoking visual stimuli will find plenty to enjoy at both attractions. No question though: the Museum of Science is the superior choice for families, thanks to its many interactive exhibits, mind-expanding live presentations and epic theater shows. The ICA is a rather more grown-up affair, designed for quiet contemplation and harborside walks, ideal if you’re traveling as a couple. Reminder: you can visit the MFA with a Boston attraction pass from Go City, and the last Saturday of each month is free for families at the ICA so, if you happen to be in town at the right time, go right ahead and do both! Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Boston Save money on Boston attractions, tours and activities with a pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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