VIBE

Design geeks, be prepared to devote untold hours to playing with nifty gadgets you never knew you had to have if you make a visit to this funky take on the museum gift shop. There are of course the usual prints, books, and exhibition catalogues related to events at MoMa, but the real reason for coming is the collection of out-there, high-design gift items. Bestsellers include everything from spherical ice cube trays to pricey armchairs by Philippe Starck.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

Wedding or housewarming gift; funky souvenir

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s a great spot to snag gifts for the hard-to-please, and it’s a fun rainy afternoon destination too–we love trawling the racks of ridiculously cool gizmos and trying to imagine how we could fit them into our homes. A nifty pick that caught our eye last time: “New York in a Bag”–the perfect accessory for a gal-about-the-globe who finds it hard to be away from the Big Apple.

GOOD TO KNOW

As if MoMA’s own fabulously curated collection of cool stuff weren’t enough, they’ve now paired with Japanese design shop MUJI to offer a special “MUJI at MoMA” collection. For shoppers strapped for time, know that the Midtown location stays open until 9:30pm on the first Thursday of every month, and if that still doesn’t give you enough time to get there, you can also shop online. All Moma members receive a 10% discount both in-store and online. Shipping is available within the US only for some bulky items (like framed prints and furniture).

OTHER LOCATIONS

SoHo (New York); Tokyo

CLOSEST COMPS

Colette (Paris); ABC Carpet & Home (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.