Skip the Cheers mugs and the MBTA Red Line refrigerator magnets. When you're souvenir shopping here, buy what Bostonians buy.
A tweed blazer: The Andover Shop is legendary around here. This old-style custom tailor will make a jacket just for you, as it has for many a New Englander. The cheerful staff will even duplicate your threadbare one if (in typical Yankee fashion) you're having trouble parting with it. The store also has off-the-rack offerings ranging from plush cashmeres to ties to chestnut tweed blazers ($750).
An Irish-knit sweater: It may be too warm to be thinking of "jumpers" this time of year (unless you're part of the Alaska delegation), but these wool pullovers are one way to get your brogue on. The unassuming Jones Store, in the heart of South Boston, stocks these imports, which serve as the bystander's uniform for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Kids' sizes start at about $50, adults are about $70.
A college T-shirt: If you think the silk bow tie with Harvard's insignia is a bit much to pull off, there's always a school T-shirt (in crimson, of course). Both are available at The Coop (The Harvard/MIT Cooperative Society). Note to Kerry fans: No stuff from Yale found here.
Lobsters: Eat as much lobster as you can while you're here, but if you want it back home, Legal Sea Foods will get it to you, alive or cooked. The order comes with bibs, claw crackers, cooking instructions, and wet-naps; enamel pot optional. Jumbo lobster for two costs about $110.
Beer: You can pick up a case of Samuel Adams at the corner "packy" (liquor store) or you can visit the Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain. The samples are free, although there's a suggested donation of $2 for entry, with proceeds going to charity. If you think it's tough choosing between the Boston Lager and the Summer Ale, we know something more difficult: trying to drive there. Take the T.
A baseball hat: With Red Sox Nation expanding by the minute, even delegates from Chicago and New York might consider sporting a classic Sox cap with its simple B on the bridge ($20). For the full-on experience, head to Fenway Park on Sunday, July 25, for the Yankees game; even if you don't have tickets, hat vendors abound on Yawkey Way.
An antique: If you really want an expensive oil painting of a clipper ship, Charles Street is the place to look. There's a wide range of antiques dealers (with equally wide-ranging prices) at the foot of Beacon Hill.
A bahgain: Head straight for
The Andover Shop 234 Clarendon St., 617-247-3344, www.theandovershop.com. MBTA: Green Line to Copley.
Jones Store 671 East Broadway, 617-268-0358. MBTA: Red Line to Broadway.
The Coop 1400 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-499-2000, www.thecoop.com. MBTA: Red Line to Harvard Square.
Legal Sea Foods Copley Place: 100 Huntington Ave., 617-266-7775, MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay. / Prudential Center: 800 Boylston St., 617-266-6800, MBTA: Green Line to Prudential / Long Wharf: 255 State St., 617-227-3115, MBTA: Blue Line to Aquarium / Park Square: 26 Park Plaza, 617-426-4444, MBTA: Green Line to Arlington / Logan Airport Terminal B, 617-568-2811; Terminal C, 617-568-2800; www.legalseafood.com.
Samuel Adams Brewery 30 Germania St., Jamaica Plain, 617-368-5080, www.samadams.com/beer/tour. MBTA: Orange Line to Green Street.
Fenway Park 4 Yawkey Way, 617-267-1700. www.redsox.com. MBTA: Green Line to Fenway.
Charles Street between Cambridge and Beacon streets, Beacon Hill, www.beaconhillonline.com. MBTA: Green Line to Park Street or Red Line to Charles/MGH.
Filene's Basement 426 Washington St., 617-348-7848, www.filenesbasement.com. MBTA: Orange Line to Downtown Crossing.
