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Visitors seeking a tricorn hat, feather quill pen or mini-Rocky can certainly find such souvenirs in and around Philadelphia’s best-known historical and cultural sites. Then again, those who prefer artisan-made goods and foods, cool T-shirts or locally made jewelry can stop into stylish shops all over the city to pick up unexpected Philly memorabilia. Here are some of the city’s best places to scoop up merchandise and more:
Fashion-Forward Finds:
- Cheesesteaktees specializes in fun, cheeky Philly-themed tees, hoodies and decals. Patrons can pick up an iconic “illadelph” decal or go for a sports team raglan emblazoned with Sixers great Allen Iverson’s face and the word “Practice.” With the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win in 2018, Cheesesteaktees introduced a slew of tees to celebrate the occasion: “City of Champions,” “Try Our Philly Special,” “Grease the Lamp Posts” and “We Won This Jawn,” to name just a few. The company also offers custom designs. cheesesteaktees.com
- No need to leave one’s heart in Philadelphia when the LAGOS Heart of Philadelphia charm lets visitors bring Philly home. The locally based jewelry designer incorporated architectural details from four city landmarks—City Hall, Independence Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts—into a must-have sterling silver heart that’s available on a necklace or bracelet. 1735 Walnut Street, (215) 567-0770, lagos.com
- Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Union. Whatever the sport, whatever the team, neighbors Mitchell & Ness and Shibe Vintage Sports arethe spots for cool, authentic sports gear. To show their team spirit at a game or from a comfy sofa, celebrities and fans stop by to stock up on throwback jerseys, snapback caps, hoodies and other clothing licensed by major-league sports. Shibe also carries its own made-in-Philly line of retro T-shirts celebrating classic Philly landmarks, athletes and more, with new additions in stock thanks to the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII win. Mitchell & Ness, 1201 Chestnut Street, (267) 273-7622, mitchellandness.com; Shibe, 137 S. 13th Street, (215) 566-2511, shibevintagesports.com
- Philadelphia pride is runway-ready with designer Nicole Miller’s collection of scarves, neckties and bowties, all in silk and all bearing logos and images of Philly icons, landmarks and institutions. Miller’s trademark bright colors on a dark background make the items fashionable keepsakes. The Bellevue, 200 S. Broad Street, (215) 546-5007; 4249 Main Street, (215) 930-0307, nicolemillerphiladelphia.com
- Carrying everything from authentic, licensed Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Union apparel to team-themed Christmas items, postcards and novelties, Rittenhouse Square’s Philly Team Store is a home run for die-hard Philadelphia sports fans. Some of the most coveted souvenirs at the store include the Mike Schmidt plush player doll and Richie Ashburn and Maikel Franco mini-figures. 1720 Chestnut Street, (215) 941-5002; Suburban Station, 1515 Market Street, #117, (215) 279-9289, phillyteamstore.com
Tasty Take-Home Treats:
- Among the 80 merchants inside Reading Terminal Market, the Pennsylvania General Store serves as a go-to spot for Philly food gifts. Shoppers can snap up local favorites such as Wilbur Buds (originally made in Old City), Hope’s Cookies, Tastykake and Horn & Hardart coffee. These treats, along with “Welcome to Philly” and Eagles “Super Bowl Champs” tins and baskets are available online or through a mail-order catalogue when supplies need replenishing. The store also carries a full line of non-food souvenirs: glasses, mugs, T-shirts, books, charms and the like. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 592-9772, pageneralstore.com
- Half the fun of Shane Confectionery is the time travel—it kicks in when visitors see the turn-of-the-century décor. Otherwise, it’s all about the sweets. Handmade in this legendary shop that was restored by brothers Eric and Ryan Berley, the signature buttercreams and caramels, old-fashioned clear toy candies and more Wonka-esque goodies satisfy any sweet tooth. In 2014, the brothers began making their own chocolate, and visitors can reap the sweet benefits via bars, bon bons and drinking chocolates. 110 Market Street, (215) 922-1048, shanecandies.com
- Among the over-21 set, Philly’s Yards Brewing Company is a name to know—even more so now that they’ve relocated to a 70,000-square-foot facility in the city’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. After touring the brewery and eating and drinking in the taproom, brew lovers can pick up a six-pack or growler of one of Yards’ award-winning craft beers—including their Ales of the Revolution Series: a Thomas Jefferson tavern ale, Benjamin Franklin spruce and a George Washington porter. Back at home, the growler can serve as a fond memory of one of the nation’s great beer cities. T-shirts, sweatshirts, pint glasses and other swag are also available. 500 Spring Garden Street, (215) 525-0175, yardsbrewing.com
More Must-Haves:
- Guests can load up on Duross & Langel’s scent-sational natural soaps, hair and skin-care products and Philly-themed soy candles. The colorful line is handmade at the charming shop, where concoctions include Moroccan cedar, blood-orange margarita and black pepper. Add in their rubber ducky soap collection, natural care products for dogs, upstairs hair salon and men’s grooming lounge, and D&L serves as a one-stop inner-and-outer beauty shop for the whole family. 117 S. 13th Street, (215) 592-7627, durossandlangel.com
- On the always-buzzing 13th Street, Open House—owned by partners Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney—scores big in the cool souvenirs department. TheWe Heart Philly line includes items such as framed graphic prints of Philly neighborhood names, pint glasses adorned with local landmarks, “I (Pretzel) Philly” baby onesies, LOVE sculpture necklaces, Liberty Bell ornaments and Philly dish towels, mugs, bottle openers, pillowcases, flasks and totes. 107 S. 13th Street, (215) 922-1415, openhouseliving.com
- Old City’s Philadelphia Independents combines the compellingly collectible, absolutely functional works of dozens of Philly ceramicists, silkscreeners, illustrators, jewelers, knitters and other modern makers so emblematic of the city’s rising artisan community. The shop, owned and curated by Tiffica Benza, Ashley Peel and Jennifer Provost, rotates its selection of all-handmade, all-local offerings often. 35 N. 3rd Street, (267) 773-7316, philadelphiaindependents.com
- Across the street from Open House and also owned by the Safran-Turney powerhouse, Verde attracts shoppers with its line of Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates. The Philadelphia series features Philly icons on the candies: LOVE sculpture (with raspberry ganache), Liberty Bell (70 percent cacao, vanilla bean), soft pretzel (peanut butter and pretzel ganache) and Philly skyline (hazelnut, milk chocolate praline). 108 S. 13th Street, (215) 546-8700, verdephiladelphia.com
Classic Souvenirs:
- For more than 150 years, Humphrys Flags has been manufacturing all manner of flags in Philadelphia (including the City of Philadelphia’s flags, of course). Directly and appropriately across the street from the Betsy Ross House, the retail arm of the now international company stocks petite to enormous versions of Old Glory, along with flags from other nations, states, organizations and even times. Custom flags are also available. 238 Arch Street, (800) 227-3524, humphrysflag.com
- Two of Philly’s most famous citizens, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross, still boast rock-star status in their city, and the choices for take-home items are endless at the Independence Visitor Center and the Betsy Ross House. Young patriots can purchase kid-sized mob caps (women’s fabric caps traditionally worn indoors by women) or tricorn hats, while parents can go home with coasters imprinted with some of Ben’s favorite quotes about beer at the Visitor Center’s soon-to-expand store. And flag fans can choose from 13-star flags like Betsy’s original design or cross-stitch needlepoint versions for do-it-yourselfers at the Betsy Ross House’s pint-sized store. Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676, giftshop.phlvisitorcenter.com; Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, (215) 686-1252, historicphiladelphia.org/
betsy-ross-house - On a cobblestone side street in the shadow of historic Christ Church, Old City T-Shirts and Souvenirs, “Home of $5 custom-made Philadelphia T-Shirts,” offers serious bargains on custom screen-printed T-shirts and active apparel. Since 1977, guests have been able to choose from a variety of styles and colors, then pay a mere five bucks to have Rocky, the Liberty Bell, a Philly team or local attraction printed on it within 30 seconds. 233 Church Street, (215) 925-7860, oldcitytshirts.com
- When the goal is a Philly tchotchke, Xeno’s Candy ’n’ Gifts delivers—pint glasses, plates, key chains, mugs, thermoses, sweatshirts, chocolates, mini statuary and knickknacks galore. Also in stock Old City emporium of souvenirs: comic book character goods and, for no charge at all, maps, directions and advice from the friendly staff. 231 Chestnut Street, (215) 922-1445, xenosgifts.com
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
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