Big Stuff Everywhere—And We Mean Everywhere!
What South of the Border road trip would be complete without a stop at South of the Border? 😂If you’ve ever driven down I-95, you’ve seen the billboards. Lots of billboards. It’s like Pedro himself is personally guiding you to one of America’s most quirky roadside attractions—a place where giant sombreros, neon overload, and unexpected fun collide.
Every seasoned road tripper knows that certain stops become legendary not just for what they offer, but for how they make you feel. South of the Border delivers that perfect blend of kitsch and charm that transforms a simple interstate rest into a memorable adventure.
A Roadside Legend Since 1949
It all started as a humble beer stand in Dillon, South Carolina, just a stone’s throw from the North Carolina border. Over time, South of the Border expanded into a full-blown tourist stop, complete with a motel, restaurants, shops, and attractions. Today, it’s an iconic stop for travelers looking for something more than just a gas station snack.
The attraction’s founder, Alan Schafer, had a vision that went far beyond serving cold beverages to weary travelers. He understood that road trips are about the journey as much as the destination, and South of the Border became his canvas for creating something truly unforgettable. What started as a simple roadside business evolved into a cultural phenomenon that has entertained millions of interstate travelers for over seven decades.
The strategic location near the state line proved genius—catching travelers in both directions and capitalizing on different state regulations. This border positioning became central to the attraction’s identity and marketing appeal.
Billboard Build-Up: Pedro’s Personal Brand of Subtle
The billboards start showing up so far in advance, you’ll swear they’re part of the Department of Transportation. Somewhere around Virginia, Pedro starts peppering your drive with bold declarations and pun-soaked promises—”You never sausage a place!” and “Chile Today, Hot Tamale!” It’s not just advertising. It’s foreplay. By the time you pull in, your GPS might as well read “Deliriously Anticipated Tourist Trap, Recalculating for Chaos.”
These roadside markers have become an art form unto themselves, stretching for hundreds of miles in both directions. Each billboard builds anticipation with increasingly outrageous puns and promises. The marketing campaign is relentless, brilliant, and absolutely impossible to ignore. Some travelers report spotting Pedro’s billboards as far north as Washington D.C. and as far south as Florida.
The billboard strategy creates a unique psychological phenomenon among road trippers—by the time you’ve seen your fifteenth “Pedro Says” sign, stopping becomes almost inevitable. It’s marketing psychology at its finest, turning a simple roadside attraction into a must-see destination through sheer persistence and personality.
What’s Waiting for You at South of the Border?
🌵 Sombrero Tower Your trip isn’t complete until you ride the elevator up the 200-foot-tall Sombrero Tower for a panoramic view. It’s scenic in that “I can see my choices from here” kind of way.
The tower isn’t just about the view—it’s about the experience of ascending into South Carolina’s most recognizable landmark. On clear days, you can see for miles across the flat Pee Dee region, giving you a bird’s-eye perspective of the landscape you’ve been driving through. The elevator ride itself feels like stepping into a time capsule of mid-century roadside Americana.
🐍 Reptile Lagoon Bet you didn’t expect to see one of the largest indoor reptile exhibits in the U.S. while grabbing souvenirs! The Reptile Lagoon boasts crocodiles, alligators, turtles, and over 50 snake species. It’s both fascinating and mildly judgmental.
The reptile collection spans everything from massive American alligators to exotic venomous snakes from around the world. Educational displays teach visitors about reptile conservation while kids press their faces against glass enclosures in wonder and mild terror. It’s unexpectedly educational and genuinely impressive—a legitimate attraction hiding inside a tourist trap.
🎆 Fireworks Galore South of the Border has been selling fireworks since 1962, taking advantage of North Carolina’s stricter laws. If you need to stock up on bottle rockets—or just test your impulse control—this is your place.
The fireworks superstore spans multiple buildings, offering everything from sparklers to professional-grade pyrotechnics. South Carolina’s more lenient fireworks laws make this a popular stop for visitors from neighboring states. The selection is overwhelming, the prices are reasonable, and the temptation to buy way more than you need is real.
🏨 Camp Pedro & Pedro’s Pleasure Dome For road trippers and RV travelers, Camp Pedro has 100 full-hookup sites with showers and grilling areas. And if you’re staying overnight, there’s even an indoor heated pool and sauna. Warning: the Pleasure Dome is not as mysterious as it sounds, but it is gloriously neon.
The campground offers a full-service experience for RV enthusiasts and tent campers alike. Modern amenities blend with retro theming, creating a unique overnight experience. The famous Pleasure Dome houses the pool facility, and despite its suggestive name, it’s a family-friendly recreation center that captures the attraction’s playful spirit.
🛍️ Shopping & Dining From Mexican-themed souvenirs to classic diner meals, you’ll find quirky trinkets and roadside grub that just screams road trip nostalgia. I once tried a tamale that may have been thawed during the Reagan administration, and it was still delightful.
The shopping experience spans multiple gift shops, each packed with everything from rubber tomahawks to genuine Mexican imports. The restaurant serves up classic American road food with a Southwestern twist, while the ice cream parlor offers dozens of flavors. It’s retail therapy meets cultural curiosity, with a healthy dose of impulse buying thrown in.
The Pedro Experience: More Than Meets the Eye
Beyond the obvious attractions, South of the Border offers something harder to quantify—a sense of place and time that transports visitors to the golden age of American road travel. The attention to detail in the theming, from the staff uniforms to the architectural elements, creates an immersive experience that feels authentic despite its obvious artificiality.
The attraction serves as a time capsule of mid-20th century roadside culture, when families packed into station wagons for cross-country adventures and roadside attractions competed for attention with increasingly elaborate displays. In an era of GPS navigation and interstate efficiency, South of the Border maintains the spontaneous spirit of discovery that made road trips magical.
Photographers and social media enthusiasts find endless opportunities for memorable shots, from the towering Pedro statue to the neon-drenched buildings. The visual spectacle provides perfect backdrop for road trip documentation and family photos.
Why It’s Worth the Stop
South of the Border is ridiculously over-the-top—and that’s exactly why people love it. Whether you’re passing through for a quick laugh, a souvenir stop, or an overnight stay, it’s a must-see for any road trip enthusiast. It’s tacky. It’s surreal. It’s tradition.
The attraction represents something increasingly rare in modern travel—a destination that embraces fun over sophistication, personality over polish. In a world of sanitized chain restaurants and identical highway exits, South of the Border stands as a monument to individual creativity and entrepreneurial vision.
For families, it provides a perfect leg-stretching opportunity that entertains kids and adults alike. The combination of education (reptiles), recreation (tower climb), and retail therapy creates something for everyone. The prices remain reasonable, making it accessible to travelers on any budget.
Bonus Vibe Check: Roadside Ritual
For me, South of the Border isn’t just a pit stop—it’s a checkpoint in our road trip mythology. It’s where we stretch our legs, question our life choices, and buy a sombrero we’ll never wear again. It’s a reminder that not all destinations are glamorous—some are just fluorescent.
The ritual of stopping becomes part of the journey’s narrative, a shared experience that bonds travelers across generations. Parents who stopped here as children return with their own kids, creating multi-generational memories tied to this unlikely landmark. The attraction serves as a waypoint not just geographically, but emotionally—marking the transition between home and destination, routine and adventure.
There’s something deeply American about South of the Border’s unapologetic embrace of excess and entertainment. It celebrates the democratic nature of road travel, where anyone with a car and a tank of gas can access the same wonderfully weird experiences.
💡 Have you ever stopped at South of the Border? What’s your favorite part? Let us know in the comments!
Planning Your South of the Border Road Trip
Located at exit 1 on I-95 in Dillon, South Carolina, the attraction is open year-round with seasonal hour variations. Peak season brings larger crowds but also fuller operations of all attractions. Off-season visits offer a more relaxed experience with shorter lines and easier parking.
Smart road trippers plan their fuel stops around the visit, as gas prices here are often competitive with surrounding areas. The attraction’s size means you’ll want to budget at least an hour for a basic visit, though families with children often spend several hours exploring all the offerings.
Heading into North Carolina? There’s plenty more to explore—check out what’s waiting for you, including a giant frying pan and a museum for questionable taxidermy. Crossing into South Carolina? Don’t stop here—discover even more road trip gems, like a peach-shaped water tower that deeply resembles a human posterior.