Offbeat South Carolina Attraction You Have to See to Believe

When you’re cruising I-95 near the North Carolina border, it’s hard to miss the towering sombrero sign telling you you’re near South of the Border. Located in Dillon, this sprawling roadside complex has been puzzling, amusing, and entertaining travelers since the 1950s. It’s quirky, colorful, and just strange enough that you really have to stop to believe it.

What began as a small beer stand just south of the dry counties in North Carolina grew into a full-blown roadside empire. Today, the complex spans motels, restaurants, souvenir shops, an arcade, fireworks stores, and even a small amusement park.

Oversized statues of the mascot “Pedro,” neon signs, and that unmistakable sombrero-shaped observation tower make it one of the most recognizable (and eccentric) attractions in the Southeast.

From larger-than-life billboards to bizarre photo ops, South of the Border delivers a unique travel experience. Here are eight reasons I think it’s genuinely worth the stop.

You Can’t Miss It

Billboards for South of the Border start popping up more than 100 miles before you reach the exit. Each one is a little different, featuring playful puns and bold colors, building up just the right amount of curiosity with every mile you drive.

By the time you spot the towering sombrero sign, the anticipation has reached its peak. The sprawling entrance bursts with neon, larger-than-life statues, and that unmistakable sense you’re about to experience something unlike anywhere else on the highway. It’s loud, it’s always open, and there’s no risk of accidentally passing by.

For many, it’s the billboards themselves that turn an ordinary road trip into an event. Even if you hadn’t planned to stop, the sheer spectacle is hard to ignore. In 2025, the iconic signs are still being maintained and refreshed, standing as proof that a little bit of quirky advertising still goes a long way. Whether you’re eight or eighty, it’s nearly impossible not to be drawn in by the fanfare of this legendary pit stop.

Roadside Americana at Its Peak

If you want to experience authentic roadside Americana, South of the Border is as genuine as it gets. The complex feels like a living postcard from the 1950s, with vibrant neon, oversized sculptures, and a playful disregard for subtlety.

Walking through the grounds, you’ll notice the architecture and signage haven’t bowed to modern trends. Instead, the whole place leans unapologetically into its old-school charm. Here, every detail, from the brightly painted animals to the cartoonish Pedro statues, pays homage to a time when traveling by car was a grand adventure.

There’s a nostalgia here, but it isn’t stuck in the past. South of the Border is still updating its exhibits and attractions while holding tight to its roots. The blend of kitsch and authenticity makes it a rare survivor in the world of themed roadside stops. For anyone interested in American pop culture or travel history, it’s a living museum you can walk through, eat in, and laugh about on your way south.

Family-Friendly (and a Bit Weird)

At South of the Border, families find plenty to entertain kids and amuse adults. Pedroland Park offers two mini-golf courses, a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and classic arcade games that channel the spirit of summer vacations gone by.

While the rides and games help children burn off energy, adults can revel in a unique brand of nostalgia. There’s a playful weirdness in the oversized animal statues and the Pedro mascot that’s hard not to laugh about. It’s not a polished theme park, which only adds to the appeal, there’s a sense you’re part of a decades-old tradition that’s still going strong.

It’s easy to spend an hour or two exploring, whether you’re racing on bumper cars or snapping goofy photos with a plastic gorilla. South of the Border might lean into the campy side, but it’s safe, welcoming, and always a little surprising. For families looking for a break from routine travel stops, this one promises stories you’ll be telling long after you’ve left.

The Giant Sombrero Tower

The Sombrero Observation Tower is the centerpiece of South of the Border, impossible to miss from the highway. For a small fee, visitors can ride a glass elevator 200 feet into the air, emerging onto a platform shaped like a giant sombrero.

The view from the top is sweeping, offering an unexpected panorama of flat farmland, with highways stretching into the distance. It’s a chance to see Dillon County from a new perspective and to genuinely appreciate just how large and unusual the entire complex is.

What I love is the mix of whimsy and spectacle, this isn’t your average observation deck. The sombrero itself is a playful nod to the attraction’s roots, and the experience feels both retro and oddly futuristic. If you like your roadside stops with a dash of oddity and a memorable photo op, the tower absolutely delivers on both counts.

Endless Souvenirs

The gift shops at South of the Border are a destination in themselves. Walking in, you’re hit with a riot of colors and the cheerful chaos of shelves stacked with T-shirts, hats, blankets, and trinkets you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re after a “Pedro” bobblehead, a sombrero-shaped mug, or a loud tie-dye shirt with the attraction’s logo, you’re covered. Some items are over-the-top, but that’s the point; here, kitsch is king and nobody is trying to be understated.

My favorite finds are always the local oddities, fireworks, Mexican pottery, and playful gags that only make sense in a place as outlandish as this. Even if you’re not a souvenir person, browsing is half the fun. The shops are open year-round and offer a snapshot of the attraction’s playful spirit. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.

Open All Year

Unlike many seasonal attractions, South of the Border keeps its doors open 365 days a year. This means you can count on finding a place to eat, rest, or play, regardless of when your road trip takes you past Dillon.

During holidays and summer vacation, the grounds are lively with families and travelers. In winter, the lights and neon create a surreal, almost magical atmosphere, especially when there’s a rare dusting of snow. Whenever you go, you’ll get a true sense of the place, no need to time your stop perfectly.

After years of road trips, I’ve learned that flexibility matters. South of the Border’s commitment to staying open year-round is a practical blessing for travelers. Whether you’re passing through on Christmas Eve or a random Tuesday in June, the welcome is always the same: quirky, friendly, and ready for you.

A Slice of Americana History

South of the Border has earned its place in American travel history. Built in 1949 as a humble beer stand, it quickly expanded to include motels, restaurants, and a growing collection of oddball statues and neon signs.

Decades later, it’s become a touchstone for generations of road-trippers. The attraction has featured in guidebooks, documentaries, and family photo albums from across the country. Unlike most roadside stops, it hasn’t faded into obscurity, instead, it’s reinvented itself while keeping its identity intact.

There’s something special about sites that manage to survive cultural shifts and changing tastes. South of the Border stands as a living reminder of how travel used to feel: spontaneous, unexpected, and just a bit outlandish. For anyone interested in American culture, this is one historical oddity you can still experience firsthand.

Why You Should Go

What makes South of the Border unforgettable is its willingness to be different. It’s not sleek or trendy, but it’s never dull. Instead, the attraction leans into its eccentricities, offering visitors a chance to step outside the ordinary for a few hours.

I love that there’s zero pressure to take it too seriously. You can ride the observation tower, play mini-golf, or just wander and snap hilarious photos, it all counts. Every corner brings something unexpected, from oversized hot dogs to pun-laden signs.

For me, the best reason to visit is the story you’ll leave with. South of the Border delivers genuine moments of laughter and connection, whether you’re with family, friends, or flying solo. In a world full of carefully curated experiences, this one stands out by being unapologetically itself, and that’s something you don’t see every day.