I grew up in a family of “souvenir people.” Every vacation mandated a special trinket or tchotchke to help us remember each special family adventure. It was something I looked forward to as a kid with so much anticipation – selecting the perfect item to keep the memory of our family trips alive, long after our lives had returned to non-vacation normalcy.

Now that I’m vacationing with a family of my own, I’ve kept the spirit of souvenir selection alive, but I have to admit that when it comes to visiting Dollywood, we have breathed a whole new life into cherished tradition by making souvenir t-shirt shopping a requirement for every visit! We’ve even coined a new vacation souvenir motto: “t-shirt or it didn’t happen.” And even though we stop by the park several times a year, each trip brings with it its own unique set of memories and “firsts” that we love commemorating with a special souvenir Dollywood t-shirt.

Here are a few of our favorite spots around the park to find the perfect souvenir top:

Eagle’s Nest & Eagle’s Flight Outfitters

Eagle’s Nest and Eagle’s Flight are two of our favorite places to grab a unique t-shirt from Dollywood. Call me old-fashioned, but nothing screams, “vacation souvenir” quite like a t-shirt with a Bald Eagle emblazoned on it. Our family may or may not own at least six! I’m also a huge fan of this “I’m a chicken” shirt, which I wear on days I’m feeling less “Wild Eagle” and a little more “Dragonflier.”

You can even pick up an eagle-themed onesie for the little ones in your life!

Temple’s Warehouse & Old Fashioned Candy Store

My kiddos love all the goodies available at Temple’s Mercantile. From the old- fashioned candy store section to the wide variety of t-shirts featuring their all-time favorite Dollywood ride, the Dollywood Express there are so many options there, you could spend an entire afternoon looking for the perfect selection. For kids who are really excited by trains and all the fun that comes along with the Dollywood Express, there is no better spot in all of Dollywood. I highly recommend visiting Temple’s at the end of your visit, or your family won’t have any time left do much of anything else!

Hillside General Store

When you visit Hillside General Store in Craftsman’s Valley you feel like you’re picking out a souvenir t-shirt back in time! We love the five-and-dime feel of this Dollywood shop and all the shirts we’ve found there seem to possess a special down-home, county quality that really encompasses the spirit of Dollywood.

Another thing that has made Hillside General store really stand out for our family, are the Davy Crockett-style, raccoon-skin caps that are an absolute must when attempting to complete the ultimate Craftsman’s Valley souvenir ensembles!

Making Your Own Memories

On our most recent trip to Dollywood, we ended up selecting these ultra-chic souvenir outfits and I have to say, these might be the most memorable ones yet. It just goes to show that no matter how you choose to commemorate your time at Dollywood, the memories you make will last a lifetime.