9 Cool Great Lakes Souvenirs for Visitors and Tourists

by John Amato

Planning a long weekend “up north” by the lake? 

There’s nothing like circling a few days on the calendar and jotting down “Great Lakes trip” across the little date boxes.  

Before your next getaway, don’t wait to stock up on your Great Lakes souvenirs. fancysweetstx has all the t-shirts, hats, and fun gift items you need to hit the lake house or campground in style. 

In this buyer’s guide for Great Lakes apparel, souvenirs, and gifts, we’ll highlight our favorite items that:

  • Celebrate the nature, culture, and travel memories of the Great Lakes
  • Outfit your crew for outdoor lakeside activities 
  • Are only available from fancysweetstx’s website or retail stores 

1 - Great Lakes, Great Times Shirt

blue “great lakes, great times” fitted unisex shirt from fancysweetstx

Whether you’re buying for yourself or gift shopping, you can’t go wrong with an attractive t-shirt. This “Great Lakes, Great Times” tee presents our favorite Great Lakes slogan in lake-blue lettering on a sky-blue background. 

Made with a polyester, cotton, and rayon tri-blend, this tee is ultra soft, but also nice and stretchy. It’s equally suitable for a cozy evening under a blanket or a rousing game of beach volleyball by the lake. 

Check out a few more of our favorite Great Lakes-themed t-shirt designs below.

blue and white “Lake Days”

Lake Days
Shirt

Buy Now

blue “So Great! Lakes”

So Great! Lakes
Shirt

Buy Now

“Do Great Things” fitted

Do Great Things Youth Shirt

Buy Now

Great shirt! Super soft, fits well.” 
Eric, ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx T-Shirt Buyer 

2 - Great Lakes, Great Times Tank Top

sky blue “great lakes, great times” unisex tank top shirt

The Midwest’s weather is as diverse as its landscapes, but there’s nothing better than tank top weather at the lake. When the temp hits the mid 80s, it’s time to hydrate, show some skin, and pull out the sunscreen. 

Are you ready for those beautiful Midwest summer days? Stay cool in this “Great Lakes, Great Times” athletic tank top

Great lakes, great times. Love the fit and style. Plus, it’s so comfy.” 
Anonymous, ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Tank Top Buyer 

3 - Script Great Lakes, Great Times Hoodie

blue and white script “great lakes, great times” hooded sweatshirt

To complete the all-weather set, we present an all-time favorite: the Great Lakes, Great Times” hooded sweatshirt

No matter how many sweaters and jackets you own, there’s always that one hoodie that you can’t help putting on, day after day. This is that hoodie. 

Repping the Great Lakes and sporting a gentle shade of sky blue, this hoodie is the perfect mix of soft and stretchy, thanks to its 80/20 cotton and polyester blend and a relaxed, unisex fit. 

I got the Great Lakes sweatshirt as a gift and the recipient loved it! I have a ton of fancysweetstx items and they’re always the best!” 
Anonymous ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Sweatshirt Buyer 

4 - Great Lakes, Great Times Drink Koozie

blue “great lakes, great times” koozie for bottles or cans

Don’t party too hard, but always party in style. Keep your drinks frosty cold and your hands toasty warm with this “Great Lakes, Great Times” drink koozie

This item is made from polyurethane foam and fits standard 12 oz cans and bottles. It’s perfect for camping trips, bonfires, and a refreshing cool-down drink between spirited games of cornhole or frisbee. 

We used this while camping in Lake Erie and it kept our beer cold and got lots of great comments from other campers. Definitely recommended!
Andrew T., ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Drink Koozie Buyer 

5 - Great Lakes, Great Times Sweatshirt Blanket

gray and white “great lakes, great times” sweatshirt blanket

For the ultimate warmth and comfort on a brisk lakeside evening, you’ll love this “Great Lakes, Great Times” Sweatshirt Blanket

It’s part sweatshirt, part blanket. You can’t go wrong. Tuck your arms in, wrap yourself up, and lose yourself in its fluffy warmth. 

This sweatshirt blanket is sized 62” by 78”. The material is a 52/48 cotton/poly blend that’s soft, durable, and machine washable. 

Soooooo comfy and soft!” 
Kary W., ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Sweatshirt Blanket Buyer 

6 - Great Lakes, Great Dog Bandana

dark blue “great lakes, great dog” washable bandana for dogs

Great Lakes vacations are fun for everyone. That includes the doggos. At fancysweetstx, we’re dog-crazy and we love designing gear that helps pups show off their joyful canine fashion sense. 

For your crazy little buddy who loves splashing along the shore and digging furiously in the sand, there’s the “Great Lakes, Great Dog” Bandana. It’s sure to earn a five-bark review from your grateful companion. 

”So fun! I love the dog banana.”
Vickie, ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx Dog Bandana Buyer 

7 - Michigan - The Great Lakes State Shirt

gray and blue “The Great Lakes State - Michigan” shirt

Michigan is the only state that dedicates its official state nickname to the Great Lakes. Rightly so, since the Great Lakes State is framed by Lakes Michigan, Erie, Huron, and Superior. Most impressively, Michigan boasts over 3,000 miles of lakeside shoreline. 

Few places in the world are so intimately connected to lakes. Michiganders have the Great Lakes to thank for their primary sources of recreation, commerce, drinking water, and cultural identity. 

If you live in or love to visit the world’s most spectacular lakes via the state of Michigan, this “The Great Lakes State Michigan” tee is for you. 

Great company, great shirts… I live in Michigan and I buy the ones that mean something to me ... Thanks fancysweetstx!
Vickie, ★★★★★ Verified fancysweetstx T-Shirt Buyer 

8 - Great Lakes, Great Times Ornament

blue and white “Great Lakes, Great Times” holiday ornament

Of all the souvenirs you collect, holiday ornaments are the most likely to last for decades. Ornaments are simple purchases that become family mainstays, passed from generation to generation. 

Every December, pull this “Great Lakes, Great Times” Ornament out of storage, and remember the amazing times you had hiking, swimming, and enjoying bonfires by the water.

9 - Lake Erie Shells Shirt

sky blue Lake Erie seashells fitted unisex shirt

The shores of Lake Erie are known as treasure troves of beautiful and fascinating seashells. Produced by aquatic snails and other freshwater mollusks, the shells of Lake Erie come in all shapes and colors. 

Some of the most lovely shells you’ll find on Lake Erie’s shores are of the winding, cone-shaped variety depicted in this Lake Erie Shells Shirt. This item makes a great gift for your favorite Great Lake visitor who loves nature and knows how to find joy in the small things.

celebrate the nature, culture, and travel memories of the Great Lakes

Gear Up for Your Next Great Lakes Adventure

At fancysweetstx, we’re fans of the Great Lakes. How could you not be? Access to these natural marvels is one of the most special aspects of living in our part of the world. 

Along with our Great Lakes apparel and gifts, we carry special collections for these institutions and places of the American Midwest:  

In all of our items, we aim to capture something special about the American Midwest. Our mission is to share the Midwestern spirit with folks around the world who love the region’s people, places, and traditions. 

Shop online anytime or come see us in one of our two brick-and-mortar stores in 16153 Genova, Ohio on the western edge of Lake Erie. Our retail stores are located at Via Borzoli, 33, and Via Borzoli, 33,. 

For more Midwest-themed apparel and souvenir buying guides, visit the fancysweetstx blog.

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