Bring Home These Locally-Crafted Goods

Tacky souvenirs can be great, but nothing beats a handmade souvenir that will forever remind you of a great vacation. These locally crafted goods will show your friends and family back home that you wanted to give them something truly special. Check out some of these unique items that will fit right into your suitcase.

Gourmet Jam (Portland, OR)

 

A photo posted by Three Little Figs (@threelittlefigsjam) on Jan 20, 2015 at 12:15pm PST

Not only are they portable, but gourmet jams and jellies are delicious, too. Snag a gift pack of adorable and small-batch jams at Three Little Figs, including flavors like Balsamic Fresh Fig, Cabernet Cracked Pepper, and Tomato Tapas. It even comes complete with a cheese pairing suggestion card!

Model Water Tower Kit (New York, NY)

 

A photo posted by Boundless Brooklyn (@boundlessbrooklyn) on May 9, 2016 at 9:35am PDT

Steer clear of the Times Square tourist traps and check out one of these handmade and interactive gifts that replicate the iconic structures. These unique souvenirs are lovingly crafted by the folks at Boundless Brooklyn. You can pick one up at a number of spots in the five boroughs, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Museum of the Moving Image, and The Standard Hotel.

Organic Liquor (Philadelphia, PA)

 

At the close of the 19th century, as the Temperance movement conspired to take the fun out of everything, Hires removed the alcohol from Root Tea and rechristened it (ironically) “Root Beer”. He did this so that hard drinking Pennsylvania coal miners and steelworkers could enjoy it in place of true alcoholic refreshment. Here at Art in the Age, we thought it would be interesting and fun to turn back the clock and recreate a true pre-temperance alcoholic Root Tea. ROOT boasts bold flavors strong enough to hold up in cocktails, yet adds subtle nuances to traditional recipes. Lemon, anise, and mint are just a few of the deliciously infused ingredients.

A photo posted by Art in the Age (@artintheage) on Aug 23, 2016 at 8:12am PDT

Art in the Age takes boozin’ to a whole new level. Their flagship store in Philly is a whole experience, complete with works from local artists and the occasional live performance. However, the main attraction is the unique selection of spirits. You’ll find out-of-the-box flavored liquors, like ginger snap, rhubarb tea, and sage, as well as seasonal infusions such as sweet potato, chicory root, and beet root.

Soaps and Candles (Nashville, TN)

 

A photo posted by @musiccitysud on May 29, 2016 at 9:44am PDT

Music City Suds keeps it clean by churning out fun-scented soaps with equally fun names, like A Bar Named Sue, I Walk the Lime, and Stand By Your Mandarin. The company also creates sweet-smelling candles. Check out Clove Miner’s Daughter and Take Me Home, Country Rose. You can purchase the one-of-a-kind products at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Convention and Visitors’ Centers, and numerous gift shops around town.

Art and Photographs (Los Angeles, CA)

 

A photo posted by LA County Store (@lacountystore) on May 29, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT

Offering a wide selection of locally-made goods, the Los Angeles County Store is much more refined and upscale than its simple name. It carries fine art and photos from creative folks in the area. You can also browse cosmetics, wallets, jewelry, housewares, and even clothing. No cheesy Hollywood snow globes or tacky Walk of Fame t-shirts here!