For years, I’ve been driving by miles of the I-95 in North and South Carolina lined with billboards for South of the Border (I legitimately think the advertising goes 50 miles in each direction!). It always looked like a fascinating place when we passed: an observation tower shaped like a sombrero, a gigantic Pedro out front, and a colorful cluster of shops.
Finally, we decided that we’d carve out some time on our most recent road trip to stop by this place that advertised itself as “America’s favorite highway oasis & gateway to the southeast,” and it was nothing like we expected!
When we turned off the highway and entered South of the Border, it was like we’d entered a little town! The site contains multiple souvenir shops, three restaurants, an ice cream parlor, two gas stations, a truck stop, restrooms, an amusement park, a convention center, a hotel, an RV park, a reptile lagoon, a fireworks store, and two convenience stores! It was huge!
We couldn’t believe that all of that was connected to one business, but it certainly made everything more interesting. I was instantly intrigued by this seemingly random Mexican-themed attraction and how it became such an expansive place.
Watch our South of the Border Adventure on YouTube!
History of South of the Border
South of the (North Carolina) Border started in 1949 as a single beer stand owned by Alan Schafer. In1954, business was so good that the stand had expanded to a 10-seat grill and a motel with 20 rooms! Mr. Schafer’s business continued to grow over the next 8 years, allowing him to add a cocktail lounge, gas station, fireworks shop, and a souvenir shop with trinkets from Mexico.
For a while, it was known as the South of the North Carolina Border project. The “North Carolina” part of the name was eventually dropped, and the Mexican theme was completely embraced in appearance, food, and most of the souvenirs.
By the 1960s, South of the Border was absolutely booming, thanks to the new I-95, which passed right by. Mr. Schafer was soon able to add a barbershop, go-kart track, and even a post office! In 2021, it’s an impressive place (although perhaps not quite at its peak), with plenty of things to do and see.
What’s with Pedro?
While Mr. Schafer was in Mexico looking for more souvenirs to import, he met two young men, Pedro and Pancho. Mr. Schafer helped them get into the U.S., and they worked at the South of the Border motel for years. Eventually, Pedro became the South of the Border “mascot” and got the 104-foot statue on site!
Must-Do Activities at South of the Border
No thanks to COVID, I can’t vouch for everything on site because some attractions were unfortunately closed for social distancing. However, we made a point to visit everything that was still open, and it made for a great 2-hour stop. Based on our experience (and research on what’s available outside of the pandemic), here are my top recommendations of things to do!
The Reptile Lagoon
The Reptile Lagoon was our first stop at South of the Border, and it did not disappoint! While rather drab inside, this building houses the largest indoor reptile display in the United States. You can see 15 types of crocodiles and over 50 types of snakes, many of which are endangered. There are also turtles and other lizards scattered around the lagoon.
It was so cool to get up close to these amazing creatures and see the differences between the types of crocodiles. Several of the snakes were also fairly active in their exhibits, so we could fully appreciate their size, speed, and coloring.
I also want to note that this reptile house is actively involved in conservation efforts and helping the endangered species they have here. There’s also a caretaker on site who’s happy to answer questions and tell you about the reptiles and the program.
Admission to the lagoon is $8 for adults and $6 for kids under 12.
Take a 5-Minute Tour of South of the Border’s Reptile Lagoon on YouTube
Mexico Shop West
The Mexico Shops are filled to bursting with fun items from the true south of the border! The Mexico Shop East (right next to the Sombrero Restaurant) is the oldest shop on site. However, the Mexico Shop West is the largest shop and definitely should not be skipped. It has 4 or 5 sections that are each the size of a regular store, and it carries a wide selection of hats, colorful pottery, unique planters, woven blankets, mosaic tables, and even jewelry from Mexico! You’ll also find some beach wares for those heading down to Myrtle Beach.
Sombrero Tower
The Sombrero Tower is probably the most thrilling attraction on-site, offering an unobstructed view of South of the Border and beyond from 200 feet in the air! The glass elevator lets you see everything from the ground up as well, so you don’t miss a thing! Plus, it only costs $2 per person! It is currently closed for social distancing, though, so be sure to check whether it’s open before you plan your visit.
Pedroland Park
If you like carnivals and amusement parks, be sure to stop by Pedroland Park!
When it’s open, guests can enjoy a Ferris wheel, carousel, playground, bumper cars, go-kart track, 2 miniature golf courses, bouncy houses, and more!
Sadly, it was also on sabbatical due to the pandemic, but we stopped to check it out anyway to see if it was worth it later. Based on what I could see, yes! The rides were colorful, and everything looked like so much fun!
Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta
No sunny South Carolina day is complete without ice cream! Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta has plenty of delicious ice cream flavors, and the interior is so cute and colorful! Plus, they give out good-sized portions, which is always a welcome bonus. You’ll find it right between the Fireworks Shop and the Hot Tamale restaurant.
Pose with Some Statues
For whatever reason, South of the Border has statues everywhere! These range from tiny burros to exotic animals and even a jackalope! Why not find some of your favorites and take some silly photos?
Drive Under Pedro
The 104-foot Pedro statue straddles the drive right outside the Mexico Shop East, proudly holding a vibrant South of the Border sign. Driving underneath Pedro is part of the experience (like driving through a giant redwood tree lol)–you can’t visit and not do it!
Final Thoughts
We enoyed the other shops here, although a couple of of them had rather repetitive wares. You could probably visit the Mexico Shop West and Pedro’s Myrtle Beach shop and see 80% of what’s available. However, each one has its own unique aesthetic, which is half the fun.
As far as food goes, we ate at Pedro’s Hot Tamale, which was shockingly inexpensive. However, we definitely got what we paid for, and the food was very similar to what you’d find at a concession stand. Not bad, but not great.
Obviously, I was a bit disappointed at the COVID-induced shutdowns on site, so I’m definitely planning to stop by in the future so I can experience everything I missed! My top priorities will be trying the Sombrero Restaurant, going up in the Sombrero Tower, and riding everything possible at Pedroland Park!
My final comment here is that the park is old. Some of these buildings are from the 1950s, so it’s not going to have that new theme-park vibe. However, I had no problem with that and felt that it gave it more character. I’ve also heard from some people that only visited the gas station and weren’t happy with the cleanliness. We did not stop at the gas station this trip, but the public restrooms were being cleaned while we were there, and every shop had storekeepers walking around to tidy up. I never felt like I was touching something gross, and I even noted that the reptile house didn’t smell like a zoo or pet store. Maybe it’s extra coronavirus precautions, but I did want to point out that they are making noticeable efforts to keep it clean–possibly more than in years past.
More Fun Adventures in South Carolina
Have you been to South of the Border? What did you think? I’d love to hear about your favorite things to do there–especially if you happened to stay at the RV park or motor inn!
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Get Your Free Guide to Touring Charleston’s French Quarter
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Don’t forget to watch the YouTube videos before to see some fun videos of the reptiles and the rest of the park! If you haven’t signed up for the blog newsletter and would like to join for free, simply fill in the form below! You’ll get a free PDF download with a full itinerary of Paris as a thank you from me, and you’ll be the first to know about new posts and travel offers!
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