With its sandy beaches, warm climate, swaying palm trees, Art Deco architecture, Latin-American-inspired vibe, and to-die-for cuisine, it’s no wonder that Miami is one of the best vacation destinations in all of the United States.
If you’re planning a trip to the Floridian city, you’ll find plenty of unique souvenirs to give to your loved ones back home.
Here are some of the best gifts that you’ll want to consider getting.
Alligator Taxidermy Products
You want something unique? Well, seeing as Miami is near to the world-famous wetlands of the Everglades National Park, which is full of floating and snapping alligators, a great souvenir to consider buying is an alligator taxidermy product.
If you have friends or family members who enjoy receiving unusual gifts, a stuffed alligator head is sure to make their heads turn!
Alternatively, you could go for something more useful and subtler, like an alligator claw back scratcher. You can also find great gator jewelry in some Miami stores.
But for the best gator gifts in the region, head to the Everglades Safari Park Gift Shop. See ya later alligator!
Art Deco Posters
A trip to the Everglades is just one of the many things you can do on your trip. Check out this inspiring post for more great ideas for things to do in Miami.
One place that you’re sure to want to visit on your vacation is Miami Beach. Not only are the white sands, blue waters, and exotic trees straight out a tropical paradise. You will also enjoy exploring the Art Deco-style architecture around the area.
There are numerous exquisitely restored buildings adorned with intricate motifs and colored in striking hues of turquoise, purple, and periwinkle.
As an Art Deco hub, you will find various kiosks and beachfront stores selling Art Deco posters to buy as souvenir gifts. Some of the best can be found along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Alternatively, if you want to push the boat out, you can find original Art Deco artworks at the Art Deco Welcome Center.
Miami Sand Globes
Beach life is synonymous with Miami. If your loved ones cannot go with you to the beautiful beaches of Miami, why not take the beach to them?
Okay, you can’t take a whole beach back home with you, but you can buy Miami sand globes that contain the local sand. Similar to snow globes but with a summer vibe, Miami’s sand globes are hand blown and colorful, and they make ideal small souvenir gifts.
Miami-themed T-shirts
Sure, Miami-themed T-shirts are rather clichéd, but they still make fantastic gifts. Your loved ones will want to share in your journey, and with a wide variety of tees in various styles sporting a broad range of logos and images, you’re sure to find one that perfectly suits your friend or family member.
Some of the best are beach-themed T-shirts and tees with comical designs.
Guayaberas
For a shirt that’s a little more sophisticated but still represents Miami beach life, opt for a guayabera. The Latin-style button-down pleated shirt is commonly worn in Miami.
You’ll find a wide variety of styles and variations at a wide range of price points. You could go for affordable polyester guayaberas or high-end shirts with intricate embroidery.
One of the best places to find a superb range of guayaberas is at the Guayaberas Etc. store. The well-known family-owned shop has been going since 1978.
Key Lime Foods and Drinks
Gifts of food always go down well with recipients, especially when the foods are specialties only available in certain places.
The key lime has become the fruit mascot of Florida. In Miami, you’ll find numerous drinks and foods made from the key lime, including milkshakes, alcoholic drinks, pies, and cakes.
For the best key lime products in Miami, head to the Key West Key Lime Pie Co. The company has several stores dotted around the bohemian streets of the city.
The only problem with buying key lime food products is you’ll want to buy some for yourself and you’ll take ages trying to figure out which items to buy; for the simple reason that they all look and taste incredibly good. You could go with key lime ginger wasabi jam, key lime syrup, or key lime cookies, to mention just a few.
Miami Beach Towels
You might not think of beach towels as particularly unique souvenirs to gift your loved ones back home, but a beach towel from Miami is different. After all, it comes from one of the beach life capitals of the U.S.
Your friends or family members will love getting a beach towel with words and images that represent glorious Miami to show off when they go to their local beaches or swimming pools.
A Miami beach towel is a practical gift too, which means your loved ones will actually use it; rather than giving them something that could easily gather dust.
Customized Denim
If you have a loved one who loves wearing denim, you need to buy a gift at Levi’s Haus Miami. The entire store is entirely dedicated to Levi’s denim and you can find pretty much any style that the famous brand currently makes.
But the best thing about Levi’s Haus Miami is you can get items customized. Depending on your needs, customized designs take between five minutes and two hours.
Miccosukee Crafts
The reservation of the Miccosukee tribe of Native Americans covers two counties of southern Florida. Vacationers in Miami can go on an amazing tour through the Miccosukee Village and see how authentic handicrafts are created.
You can also purchase a variety of authentic Miccosukee crafts to take home as one-of-a-kind souvenirs for your loved ones. Choose from items like sweet-grass-woven baskets, palmetto husks, beaded jewelry, hand-carved bowls, and dolls in patchwork dresses.
Little Havana Cigars
Yes, smoking’s bad for you. But the odd cigar can make a welcome gift for many people. Miami is well-known for its wide variety of locally hand-crafted cigars, thanks to the Cuban influence on the city.
To find the best cigar souvenirs, head down to Calle Ocho in Little Havana. You’ll discover a plethora of stores specializing in handmade cigars, as well as many accessories, such as cigar cutters and presentation boxes.
Miami Spicy Sauces
While in Little Havana, head down to the local markets to find an extensive selection of spicy cooking sauces. South America and the Caribbean have played an important role in Miami cuisine over the decades, and now Miami has combined all of those flavors to create its very own gastronomic identity.
You’ll find delicious foods around the city, such as Venezuelan arepa, which is a delicious corn cake, tasty Cuban empanadas, which are stuffed pastries, and Jamaican jerk chicken, all of which can be accompanied with unique spices and sauces.
Authentic Miami spices and sauces can make wonderful gifts for your loved ones. Some of the best local flavors can be found at El Nuevo Siglo Supermarket on Calle Ocho.
So, forget Miami Vice. Go for Miami spice instead.
