Nothing is more embarrassing than giving someone a gift they already have. Thankfully, that’s very unlikely to happen when shopping at museums and specialty gift shops that offer truly unique items. Is your friend a Van Gogh fan? Then, there’s an ornament for you at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Is your hip mom a Warhol silk screen aficionado? The art books at the Warhol will fuel her imagination. No matter which of these stores you buy from, you’re helping to support the institutions that inspire us 365 days a year…and that’s a gift for us all!
Unique Museum Gift Shops in Pittsburgh
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art hosts an annual Holiday Mart at the Museum Shop featuring both their custom wares and a selection of local artisans, this year December 4-6. Find things regionally-made jewelry, ceramics, prints, and more. Enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and cookie station, free gift wrapping and crafts, as well as a cash bar with a selection of drinks.
Carnegie Museum of Art
Every time you visit the Carnegie Museum of Art, you probably find yourself wandering into the gift shop, amazed by the aesthetically-pleasing products on display. Shop from unique art books and supplies, prints, jarred goods, sculptural kitchen wares, totes, artisan jewelry, and much more. The kids gifts here are particularly strong, as evidenced by their presence on TABLE’s 2025 gift list for kids.
Kamin Science Center
The XPLOR Store at the Kamin Science Center, formerly the Carnegie Science Center, is a “wonderland of discovery,” filled with many toys and trinkets for kids whether they’re interested in space, gardening, wildlife, or robots. Think science-themed ornaments, experiment sets, books, and interactive gadgets (like planetarium projectors or working microscopes) for kids of all ages.
Mattress Factory
You won’t find a more adventuresome group of installations than at the Mattress Factory. Their gift shop is just as original. The selection ranges from simple museum-branded merch to limited edition artist pieces and media, perfect for collectors operating at various price points. Explore objects inspired by the various exhibitions in the museum or dive into their Mattress Factory collection of totes, tees, and also sweatshirts to show your support.
Contemporary Craft
Ideal for the most stylish and sophisticated person on your list, everything you see at the Contemporary Craft Store is created by craft artists from around the country. Choose from practical and decorative items in a range of mediums, including glass, heirloom-quality furniture, one-of-a-kind statement jewelry, handwoven fiber art, metalwork, and wooden items, knowing that your purchase will support working artists and the craft economy.
The Andy Warhol Museum
Pop culture icons populate The Andy Warhol Museum Store. Browse books, toys, stationary, decor, and accessories based on famous figures from Andy Warhol to David Bowie to Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo. The shop is a great spot to find something for the bold personality in your life — art and music lovers, pride-enthusiasts, as well as die-hard yinzers are all on the table. They even have a category for pets and the pet-obsessed.
The Frick Pittsburgh
The art on display at The Frick can’t be found anywhere else. The same is true for The Frick Museum Store which echoes the eclectic character of the museum and the city where it sits. Find books on local interests, a selection of home items, a built-in jewelry counter, and also kids items inspired by the history of transportation and titans of industry.
Phipps Conservatory
The Shop at Phipps, inspired by the zillions of plants that reside there, brings botanical information, design, and goodies into the gift bag. Gift a flourishing house plant to dress up someone’s winter blues. Or if they don’t quite have a green thumb, buy a glass or felt flower that’ll last forever. Gardening-related goods are just the beginning here — grab apparel, puzzles, water bottles, decorative notecards, and more for your nature lover.
National Aviary
The National Aviary’s Gift Shop can help you get in touch with your natural side with books on birds, stitched decorative pillows, board games, kid-friendly binoculars, as well as wildlife-tracking gadgets. You don’t even have to buy admission to get into the store. It’s a great place to get your holiday shopping to take wing — especially for bird and animal lovers of all ages.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Do your little ones love dinosaurs or are they fascinated by insects? Then let The Carnegie Museum of National History Shop take them on some brainy adventures with real fossils and stones, hands-on activity kits, and plenty of fun learning resources that let them pretend to be a botanist or archeologist. Teens and adults can find something here too with henna tattoo kits, candles, 3D wooden puzzles, chess sets, and more.
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
One of the biggest pulls of the shops at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is the selection of soft, top quality stuffed land or aquatic creatures that children can carry along with them as they visit their favorite IRL animals. But that’s not all they have to offer. Pick out a gift of fine jewelry, comfy zoo apparel, fun books, play adventure sets, or even a little snow globe that shows snow falling on the famous zoo.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Mattress Factory
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.
