39 Best New York Gifts in 2024

If you’re shopping for a new friend, a longtime New Yorker or someone who just moved away from the city, it’s essential to find the best New York gifts. Whether they’re just getting into the spirit of the Big Apple or they’re an NYC native, having the right gift will help them feel loved and appreciated.

The New York Times suggests that sometimes the best gift is the one they ask for. Maybe they don’t directly mention what they’re looking for, but paying attention to their interests and hobbies can be a great way to find the perfect gift for them.

So, what should you give someone who lives in New York? Whether you’re looking for traditional or unique New York gifts, there’s something on this list everyone will love.

Our editorial team recommends the best products through independent research, selection and careful review. If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. 

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• Creative New York Gifts
• Foodie New York Gifts
• Unique New York Gifts
• New York Gifts for Her
• New York Gifts for Him
• Best Gift Cards for New Yorkers

Creative New York Gifts

1. Paint and Sip

Discover exciting paint and sip in NYC for one of the best New York gifts. A professional artist will guide them step-by-step through a beautiful photo, no matter their skill level.

They can sip their favorite glass of wine or cocktails for unique date ideas in NYC. From painting the New York City skyline to a glamorous night on Broadway, they’ll love this creative and relaxing activity.

2. Pottery Classes

Schedule pottery classes in NYC for fun indoor activities in NYC. A knowledgeable instructor will teach them how to use a pottery wheel, as well as how to glaze a unique artwork. With classes available for beginners or large groups, they can create anything from colorful bowls, plates or vases.

3. Dances Classes

Get their heart rate up with thrilling dance classes in NYC. As one of the best New York gift experiences, your friend will love learning a unique choreography to an upbeat song.

From belly dancing to tap dancing, a professional dancer will lead them step-by-step through a great workout perfect for any skill level. If your friend just moved to the big city, dance classes are also one of the best solo date ideas to help them make new friends and find community.

4. Broadway Tickets

If you have a little more money to spend, your friend will love Broadway tickets for one of the best New York gifts. From timeless classics to modern retellings, this gift is perfect for any native New Yorker or a friend who just moved to the Big Apple.

5. Instant Film Camera

Grab your photogenic friend an instant film camera for one of the most creative New York gifts. They’ll love taking fun photos around the Big Apple they can instantly print and hang in their apartment. With a variety of color options, this gift is perfect for any New Yorker who loves to capture the moment. Take a few photography classes in NYC to learn about framing and the rule of thirds. 

6. Museum Membership

A membership to one of the many beautiful museums might be one of the most expensive gifts from New York, but it’s also one of the best.

From experiencing an opening night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to exclusive access to curated lectures at the American Museum of Natural History, your scholarly friend will love this as one of the best experience gifts.

Foodie New York Gifts

7. Cooking Classes

Give the gift of hands-on cooking classes in NYC. In a city filled with some of the best food on the planet, your friend will love learning a new recipe they can easily recreate at home.

World-renowned chefs will help them level up their skills in the kitchen as they learn exclusive culinary techniques and authentic menus to spice up their home cooking. Book these classes for fun New York gifts for friends if you want to get the whole gang together for an exciting activity.

8. Levain Bakery Cookie Assortment

Purchase delicious cookies from the iconic Levain Bakery for one of the best New York gifts. With nationwide shipping available, you can also purchase a signature cookie assortment for unique housewarming gifts if your homesick friend just moved out of the Big Apple.

9. Milk Bar Sample Box

Add some sweetness to your friend’s day with a delicious sample box of Milk Bar cookies for one of the best New York gifts. With flavors including Blueberry & Cream and Chocolate Confetti cookie, your New York friend will love this box of brightness as an authentic gift from the East Village.

10. Chelsea Market Cookbook

Grab a classic cookbook from the renowned New York gifts shop if your friend is a major foodie. Your friend will love drawing inspiration from traditional recipes and gorgeous food photos for a delicious meal they can make from the comfort of their own home.

11. Russ & Daughters Brunch Package

Start your friend’s day off right with one of the best New York gifts. Whether your friend is local to NYC or just moved from the big city, they’ll love having Russ & Daughters Brunch delivered to their front door. Filled with fresh bagels, Nova and mouthwatering Baklava, this will be one gift they’ll never forget!

12. Katz’s Delicatessen Care Package

Have another local New York favorite delivered to their door with Katz Delicatessen gift baskets. From birthday packages to a classic taste of New York, this thoughtful idea is one of the best care packages for any New Yorker needing an excellent pick-me-up.

13. Box of Cronuts

You can never go wrong with a box of flakey cronuts for excellent New York gifts. A cross between a donut and a croissant, this NYC special is the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries or even just a special way to brighten their day.

Unique New York Gifts

14. Virtual Wine Tastings

Give your New Yorker a classy evening at home with virtual wine tastings. A professional sommelier will be their guide as they sip and sample some of the world’s best wines from the comfort of their couch. If you’re looking for a unique date night, this activity is perfect for long distance relationship gifts.

15. Online Mixology Classes

Invite them to stay the night in and make their favorite cocktails with online mixology classes. An engaging mixologist will help them craft delicious drinks and perfect their shaken and stirred methods in a live, digital environment. As one of the best New York gift experiences, they’ll level up their mixology skills in no time with this fun activity.

16. New York Skyline Chess

Gift them a fun chess set with one of the most unique gifts from New York. With traditional pieces replaced with iconic buildings, such as the Empire State Building and the Guggenheim, they’ll love adding this unique game to their home.

17. Homesick New York Candle

Are you wondering what to gift someone who is going to another city? These all-natural, soy-based Homesick candles are a perfect way to brighten their day and give them a sweet taste of home.

Help them re-live their favorite moments in the big city with hints of bergamot, lemon and grapefruit for one of the best going away gifts.

18. Hammock

Are you wondering what every New Yorker should have? Why not gift them with a hammock to help them relax? Whether they take it on the go or set it up on their patio, this fun gift can fit in many large and small spaces — perfect for the Big Apple. 

19. Iconic Coffee Cup

Wander into any New York gifts shop to find an iconic coffee cup. Whether it’s an “I Heart New York” coffee tumbler or mug from their favorite coffee shop, this is one of the best New York gifts to bring home to help them remember their hometown.

20. Custom NYC Illustration

Are you wondering what to bring a friend from New York? Discover creative NYC Illustrations for one of the most unique gifts from New York. From hand-painted pop art of their favorite hangouts to custom sketches of the beautiful city skyline, they’ll love this sweet and sentimental gift for their space. You can also contact the artists who painted the top Brooklyn Street Art murals, and the Bushwick Street Art Collective murals, and ask if they have any works for sale for a truly unique New York gift.

21. New York Times Crossword Book Set

If your friend loves crosswords, they’ll love this New York Times crossword puzzle set as one of the best New York gifts for friends. With 100 easy-to-hard puzzles, this book is the perfect activity to keep them entertained while riding the subway or relaxing on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

New York Gifts for Her

22. Art Classes

Discover exciting art classes in NYC for one of the best gifts for artists. Whether she loves to paint, draw or make pottery, she’ll level up her artistic skills from a professional artist. She’ll connect with a creative community and bring home a unique gift to decorate her home.

23. Statement Bag

Purchase a stunning statement bag as one of the best New York gift ideas for her. For expensive gifts from New York, this gift will be perfect for her birthday dinner in NYC. With classy or bold colors, a sleek statement bag will be her new favorite addition to her closet.

24. Souvenir Jewelry

Add to her jewelry collection with a fun NYC charm bracelet. With charms showcasing the beautiful NYC architecture to iconic taxi cabs, your New Yorker will love repping the Big Apple on her wrist.

25. Classic Tote Bag

Grab a classic New York or Nowhere tote bag as one of the best gifts for best friends. Whether she likes to work out or spend her time at a bookstore, she’ll love taking this NYC gift with her everywhere she goes. 

26. NYC-Inspired Phone Case

Find a custom phone case for one of the best New York gifts. With phrases such as “I Heart NY” to photos of Lady Liberty, this sweet gift will protect her phone and provide a beautiful fanfare of her favorite city.

27. I Heart NY T-Shirt

Purchase a classic “I Heart NY” t-shirt as one of the best New York gift ideas for her. You can never go wrong with this shirt as one of the most iconic New York gifts to bring home. As a favorite souvenir, any New Yorker will agree this is the best way to represent the big city.

New York Gifts for Him

28. Wool Leather Varsity Jacket

Give him a cozy wool leather varsity jacket for one of the best New York gifts. This stylish gift is perfect for those cold winter days or a night on the town with his friends. Customize the jacket with his favorite sports team or initials for a personalized touch.

29. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Gift him a pair of noise-canceling headphones for a favorite gift. Whether he prefers earbuds or headphones, this gift is perfect for canceling out the noisy city around him. With various options in color, style and brand, he’ll appreciate this gift for any subway ride or serious study session. 

30. Yankees Baseball Cap

Grab him a classic Yankees cap for one of the best New York gifts for him. Whether he’s an avid fan or just loves the big city, every New Yorker needs one of these hats in their closet. 

31. NYU Gear

Purchase festive NYU gear for one of the best graduation gift ideas. From classic sweatshirts to sporty baseball caps, this gift is perfect to help him pay tribute to his alma mater as he enters the workforce.

32. NYC Subway Cognac Token & Revenue Bag Watch

Give him a classy watch as one of the best New York gifts for him. With a sleek, stylish look, this watch will perfectly round out his outfit and keep him on time throughout the day.

33. Whiskey Glasses 

Find unique whiskey glasses for one of the best New York gifts. With custom designs showcasing the iconic NYC skyline or the urban New York City map, he’ll love using these glasses for his next pour.

Best Gift Cards for New Yorkers

34. Creative Classpop! Gift Card

Give your New Yorker the best experience with a Classpop! gift card. With activities like creative paint and sip classes to thrilling dance classes, this gift card can help them discover one of the best ways to meet people in a new city. Whatever their interests, there’s bound to be a class that aligns with their hobbies and skills.

35. Rideshare Gift Card

Are you wondering what to get someone who lives in New York? Why not give them a gift card to a rideshare service? As one of the best gift cards from New Yorkers, anyone in the city will appreciate the gift of public transportation.

36. Classic Harbor Cruise Gift Card

Help them experience the beautiful NYC skyline from the water with a harbor cruise gift card. Whether your friend is visiting or a local New Yorker, they’ll love this unique activity to help them explore their city in a new way.

37. Coffee Shop Gift Card

Give them a gift card to their favorite coffee shop as one of the best New York gifts. In the city that never sleeps, having a quality cup of coffee is essential. Keep them caffeinated with this thoughtful gift.

38. Food Delivery Gift Card

Save them from a night of cooking with a gift card for a delicious food delivery. From UberEats to selecting a gift card from their favorite restaurant, they’ll appreciate a night of takeout from one of their favorite eats.

39. Entertainment Gift Card

Give them an experience gift card for one of the best gift cards from New Yorkers. Whether they enjoy sports, Broadway, or concerts, this gift is perfect for anyone looking for a fun night on the town. Maybe they’ll even ask you to join in on the fun too!

From useful gift cards to creative art classes, there are tons of fun New York gifts you can give to your friends or loved ones. Whether they’re new to the city or a longtime local, everyone will appreciate the sentimentality of a true New York gift.

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