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Illinois

Souvenir shopping in Illinois

  1. A

    City of Chicago Store

    This city-run store is a mecca for those wise enough not to try to steal their own ‘official’ souvenirs. Cheerful city workers will sell you anything from a decommissioned city parking meter ($175) to street signs for famous local streets ($50). The usual array of Chicago books, shot glasses and pint-sized metal replicas of the city’s tallest buildings are also available.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Antiques Centre at Kinzie Square

    If you're after a priceless souvenir of the old USA, then this is your place. Twenty different dealers peddle high-end homewares, ceramics and art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Although very competitive price-wise, the high quality ensures that you won't come out of here without racking up some serious damage to your credit card.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Sports World

    This store across from Wrigley Field overflows with – that’s right, Sherlock – Cubs sportswear. It carries all shapes and sizes of jerseys, T-shirts, sweatshirts and ball caps, plus baby clothes and drink flasks. Surprisingly, the prices aren’t bad given the attraction-side location.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Shop at the Cultural Center

    The Chicago Cultural Center’s shop is a stellar place for Chicago-oriented souvenirs, especially books by local authors. The Chicago Publishers Gallery is on-site at the center, and so many of the comics, history books, zines and poetry books displayed there are for sale here.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Chicago Tribune Store

    While this small store doesn’t have the selection of other souvenir places in Chicago, it does outdo its competitors in Tribune-related merchandise. Cubs and Blackhawks hats and jerseys, and books by noted Chicago authors are also available.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop

    Skyline posters, Frank Lloyd Wright note cards, skyscraper models and more for those with an edifice complex.

    reviewed