14 Retro Travel Mementos You Can’t Buy Anymore
Take a nostalgic journey through 14 vintage travel souvenirs that have disappeared from today’s souvenir shops.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Long before gift shops were filled with generic magnets and mugs, travel souvenirs had charm and character. From airline swag to trinkets, these keepsakes captured the spirit of an era. Here’s a look at the travel mementos that have vanished from shelves and suitcases alike.
1. Airline-Branded Playing Cards
Luke Lai on Flickr
Once a common in-flight freebie, these cards featured airline logos and sleek mid-century designs. Passengers used them to pass time during long-haul flights.
2. Destination Pennants
35mmMan on Flickr
These felt triangle flags with bold letters and touristy graphics were a staple of gift shops everywhere. Tourists proudly hung them in their bedrooms or basements.
3. Local Postcard Booklets
Can Pac Swire on Flickr
Not just a single postcard, but a fold-out booklet showing off a destination’s highlights. These were perfect for sharing your trip with multiple friends and family.
4. View-Master Reels of Tourist Attractions
Jack Pearce on Flickr
Before digital slideshows, View-Master reels let you relive vacations in 3D. You could buy reels for national parks, cities, and landmarks.
5. Souvenir Ashtrays
Bertmutt on Wikimedia Commons
Back when smoking was socially acceptable everywhere, ashtrays were a popular and practical gift. Resorts, airlines, and casinos all had branded versions.
6. Travel-Themed Matchbooks
Jamiecat * on Flickr
Hotels, restaurants, and even airports handed out custom matchbooks as souvenirs. Each one was tiny, artistic, and easy to collect.
7. Hotel Keychains with Engraved Room Numbers
Wikimedia Commosn
Bulky plastic or brass key fobs used to be standard for hotel rooms. They were unique to each location and made for quirky mementos.
8. City-Specific Snow Globes
GabiMedia on DeviantArt
These weren’t the cheap, plastic ones you find today — they were heavier, more detailed, and often handmade. Inside was a charming snapshot of a skyline or landmark.
9. National Park Travel Stamps and Passport Books
Elias Rovielo on Flickr
Before digital tracking, visitors collected physical stamps in official National Park passports. Each location had its own inked design. While technically still around, they’re harder to find and far less emphasized.
10. Travel Sticker Sheets for Luggage
PickPik
Back when suitcases were hard-sided and built to last, travelers decorated them with colorful city or country stickers. It was a visual travel log.
11. Airline Wings for Kids
Etiart, etiquetas tejidas on Flickr
Flight attendants once handed out plastic or metal pilot wings to young travelers. They made flying feel special and adventurous.
12. Hand-Painted Wooden Miniatures
Chesapeake Bay Program on Flickr
From Swiss cuckoo clocks to hand-carved animals in Africa, small wooden crafts used to be a staple souvenir. Many were made locally by artisans. Today, most gift shops carry mass-produced resin knock-offs.
13. Travel Brochures with Fold-Out Maps
PickPik
Every hotel lobby had a spinning rack of colorful brochures, each with a fold-out map and attraction details. Tourists collected them as planning tools and keepsakes.
14. Souvenir Spoons
Thomas Quine on Wikimedia Commons
Once a collector’s obsession, every destination had its own tiny, decorative spoon. Displayed on wooden racks, they were conversation pieces. Today, they’re mostly found in antique shops, not airports.