We've Crossed The Border
If you have driven down I-95 and crossed the border between North Carolina and South Carolina then you probably remember seeing scores of billboards for a complex of restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and amusements known collectively as South of the Border. For decades South of the Border has demarcated the half-way point between the New York/New England area and the vacation spots in Florida.
When you reach the NC/SC state line you cannot miss the sombrero topped tower and the huge South of the Border sign. It will grab your attention and unless you're careful, you will miss the official Welcome to South Carolina sign.
If you are not up for the kitschy venue that is South of the Border, a mile or so down the road is the official South Carolina welcome area complete with restrooms. The Welcome Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm. There are restroom accessible from outside the Welcome Center that are open 24/7.
When the boys were young and we traveled this route, we stopped at South of the Border a couple times. It was fun with children along. If you've never stopped there, and you have the time, you should check it out, if only to say you've been to South of the Border.
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Image Credit » DW Davis
Comments
FourWalls wrote on July 27, 2015, 11:07 AM
I don't know how it is when you drive south, but when you're going north on I-95 you start seeing "South of the Border" signs in Florida. Those signs ("Pedro says come to South of the Border") are legendary on I-95.
CoralLevang wrote on July 27, 2015, 11:36 AM
I don't think I ever saw that. Or I don't remember. I only traveled that route once I can remember.
1RonElFran wrote on July 27, 2015, 12:06 PM
I've never been to South of the Border, but I've heard of it. This is a good reminder. If I'm ever traveling in the Carolinas, I'll make it a point to visit.
1AliCanary wrote on July 27, 2015, 6:17 PM
I usually miss this because I am normally taking 85 south, but I definitely have seen it! Too tourist-trap-y for me as an adult, but I know my sister and I would have pestered my parents to stop there, had we gone south for our road trips, rather than west!
bestwriter wrote on July 27, 2015, 7:45 PM
When was the last time you did this kind of a trip as I am sure if it is after a long time ago then you will see landmarks that were not there then.
Paulie wrote on July 28, 2015, 4:18 AM
You are bringing back very old memories to me. Yes, I distinctly remember seeinging the "South of the Border" signs on the trips I have made to Florida and Myrtle Beach. i never stopped there.
DWDavisRSL wrote on July 28, 2015, 9:39 AM
You didn't miss much. South of the Border is the very epitome of a tourist trap.
DWDavisRSL wrote on July 28, 2015, 9:45 AM
On our one trip to South Carolina with my family when I was a kid we stopped there and walked around but my parents wouldn't let us do anything that cost money, which was everything there, so we didn't do anything but look. My wife and I, on one of our trips to Charleston, stopped so our boys could see what it was all about. We had a good time, and yes, we let the boys spend money.
DWDavisRSL wrote on July 28, 2015, 9:47 AM
I can't remember for sure, but I think they start up near New York.