Exploring South of the Border: Hidden Gems, Abandoned Motels, and Nostalgic Wonders

In today's adventure, we're exploring the Mexican-themed truck stop/roadside attraction South of the Border just south of the border between North and South Carolina along Interstate 95. This one booming rest stop for travelers trekking along the east coast of the United States is now just a shell of it's former self. What's left of this place decades after it peaked?
00:00 Intro
03:38 Mexican Shop West
08:01 Reptile Lagoon
14:13 Abandoned Amusement Park and Motel
18:27 Mexican Shop East
23:10 Pantry Shop
25:42 Sombrero Tower and Arcade
28:53 Outro

[@arthwys]

So I've been a bit obsessed over South of the Border for years. My parents always encouraged me to look for "Pedro signs" on the drive down 95 each summer, but they never let us stop. Once I started making the trip as an adult in college, I not only stopped every time, I've stayed there numerous times dating back to 2002. I can shed a little light on some of what you saw. 1. The west side motel hasn't been used much in many years. I think technically they still kept it open for when bigger events or the height of summer holiday vacations were happening, but they mostly focus on the motor inn on the east side of the property. The part of the west side motel rooms block that is gone was torn down sometime in 2021. 2. The fountain you thought was a pool with the whale was in fact a pool at one time, but we're talking early 80's or before. 3. Most of the animals in the reptile lagoon are very sluggish and inactive in the winter time. They don't even really need to eat during the winter when they're metabolism slows down. Most of the animals there are likely rescues from people who owned them illegally as pets and are unable to be released into the wild. I agree for some of the bigger ones, a little more vegetation and soil to lay on would be great, but these aren't super active animals for much of the year. 4. While it looks kind of "run down" and in some places, it is, a surprising amount of upkeep and refreshing is constantly happening. The big animal statues and Pedro's get new paint jobs often. The east side Motor Inn has been completely renovated within the last 10 years. They've torn down a number of older buildings that had been around forever but really sold just more of the same junky kitsch in an effort to consolidate funds towards upkeep of the rest of it. There used to be an Ice Cream Shop, a Leather Shop, a hot dog stand, a Tshirt Shop, and a Saloon/antiques store, all separate buildings that have been torn down in the last 15 years. The empty building near the Reptile Lagoon was a bank. 5. The sombrero tower elevator was down for a long period between 2019 and 2023. It had been having issues for years before 2019 and they finally closed it semi-permanently until a total maintenance and parts repair/replace could be done. It re-opened in 2023 and was noticeably faster and smoother going up and down than in the years before the fix. It's an old style and very unique, so hard to keep maintained and repaired. 6. Their ginger ale is awesome, I get some every time. 7. Part of the way they stay in business is the campground for RV's does a fairly brisk business, and there is a popular Motocross track behind SOTB proper that gets a lot of use.

[@1946luke]

Retired over the road trucker. Back in the 70's this place was really an attraction.

[@Dwendele]

To me, SOB was the concept that eventually led to Bucee's. I remember, as a kid getting excited watching the signs countdown the miles as we got closer to SOB

[@robkeysnj]

Not a fan of how you treated this place..South of the Border is OLD SKOOL Fun!! Always loved stopping there in the 70's for fireworks and toys that were considered risque at the time. Toys that fart or pee..If you have kids, you know they would love this place!! Is it a "Tourist Trap?" Absolutely!! but who cares. Kids have ipads and other devices to entertain them nowadays, so they are less likely to get bored on long road trips. I-95 between Petersburg, VA and Savannah, GA was and still is a long boring haul through the Carolinas...But there was always South of the Border to look forward to, and we would count down the miles from the signs along the highway. Yes, now there are many (nicer, but barely ) places to stay on I-95 now, but back then---this was the halfway point between NY/NJ and South Florida to take a break and the kids had fun.

[@richardbabb7483]

All of the animals in the lagoon are alive.i love that place .you did not do any justice of that place in your video. I was amazed on how clean and professional that the reptile lagoon was built and maintained. Everyone in every store was super polite.all of the stores like the gift shop was clean.i wish more people would visit the place.

[@robg7970]

Why do i get the strange vibe that this dude is the proud owner of a vegan pitbull ? And why does everything seem so .... strange to HIM ? LOL .. there are places that are 1000 times more strange than s.o.b

[@donnerpartysupplies5187]

Looks like the strange thing is the odd man with the camera and the cringe voice, trying to say everything is creepy under his breath.

[@phillv]

wow that was the place to buy fireworks when i was a kid (im 54 now) i grew up in CT and when fireworks were illegal in most places people would go down there buy them for nothing and bring them back to CT and sell them at like 10x the price; i also remember how dirty the taco place was

[@Lance.West4]

You really are scared to buy a drink from there? Not one thing was out of place or dirty inside that store. In fact it was one of the cleanest I've seen. But you would stop at some random circle K and not think twice about buying 3 day old coffee. You're the people who make places like this go away.Then you get on your high horse about how corporations are taking over. We should support these places before they are gone forever. All that stuff and you buy a $1 magnet, and insinuate the stores are nasty and they abuse animals...

[@thomascacioppo3785]

I hope he reads what you say. This was a great tour and he kept putting it down. Stores are very clean. This was one cool place to stop back in the day. And still stop there 50 yrs later.

[@emmettjones5165]

" Depressive nostalgia " ... Wow, what an apt term! I am old enough to remember when S.O.B. was a busy place. Funny, even back in the late 70's and early 80''s, it had that exact same vibe you just described. It was just a lot busier... I grew up in MD with grandparents in FL who would meet us halfway right there every trip, twice a year. 💯

[@ApexNick]

I used to ride my motorcycle all up and down the east coast. I lived near Benson North Carolina at the time and one day decide to go down there and finally check it out. Sad to say it was even less busy than when you did this tour. I had all my gear on and it was a 95° day so I didn't stick around long. Thanks for the tour!

[@nathanmeece9794]

Love the shelter over the motel room parking spots. ❤

[@mjordan812]

Overnighted there twice - first time in 1964 when my parents moved from Maine to Florida (I was on leave after USAF Tech School) and again in 1968 when they did it again and I was on my way to Europe with the USAF. It was tacky then. Rooms were clean and comfortable, though. One thing that I did like was that all of the parking is covered - so if the weather was crap, you didn't get wet between the car and the room.

[@christopherhuggins3212]

SOB stays open from the fireworks store, MX tracks behind the truck stop, and ginger ale they actually hired a professional zoologist (definitely not from the area) for the reptile lagoon and the animals are very well took care of

[@calliecooke1817]

My family always spent 2 weeks in Myrtle Beach. We lived(and still do) in DC suburbs. About an 8-10 hour trip. South of the Border was a must stop. It was the first place where we could get "good" fireworks. For ten years I saved my grass cutting, snow shoveling, leaf raking, pop bottle collecting $$$$ for those m-80's, cherry bombs, and rockets. I would always have at least $200. That was a lot of goodies back in the '70's. I still traveled to Myrtle Beach a few times during the '80's and '90's but haven't been back in 30 years. I'm sure everything is changed. South of the Border was always hopping back in the day. Looks like a ghost town now. Sad.....

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

That long ? I live in Richmond VA and Myrtle Beach is less than 5 hours drive from here.

[@calliecooke1817]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic You're right. My memory is faulty. Guess it just seemed like 10 hours. Google maps says 450 miles, 7 and 1/2 hours. And like I said, it's been awhile. 501 might be a better road now, too.

[@nathanmeece9794]

I remember seeing the signs every few miles down Interstate 95 advertising South of The Border

[@GUYFROM2047]

Thanks for making this video 🤜🏼

[@Seetheren]

South of the border is a dying breed of simple entertainment. It is from a by gone era. I wish society was as simple as it used to be to be.

[@dennissmith5807]

That. Place. Rules. Simple and plain.

[@IanMartinExploration]

Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!

[@stephenblake2196]

THAT PLACE WAS AWESOME AS A KID AN6 THOSE SIGNS ON THE HIGHWAY BUILT YOU UP A REAL TREAT !! NEVER FORGETTING THAT!!

[@tellibear]

I remember growing up, and my family and I driving down 95 to go to Florida to see my grandmother and every time we would stop at south of the border. I cannot believe that it isn’t such a dilapidated state and I cannot believe the atrocious way that they are taking care of those animals, it is heartbreaking to see something that you love while you were growing up just be destroyed

[@tobtrue1717]

Remember going there as a kid on road trip I loved it

[@Patriots-Inc.1776]

I remember visiting my grandparents in North Carolina when I was a kid and we stopped at SOB to use the restrooms. That’s the first place I ever saw pay toilets. I think it was a quarter to open the toilet lid. Then there was one that cost a quarter to open the restroom stall. Crazy

[@lbberkeley]

As I kid 6/7 (1989/90) I stopped there on the way from VA to Myrtle Beach. It felt slightly more populated. However, the same vibe of a random assortment of souvenirs was similar. I didn't get to go up the tower then either. Lol.

[@chrisowen5497]

Back in my trucking days, I kept telling myself that I would stop by there one day, but never did. Everyone I knew called it a “tourist trap.” Cool tour, and great video!

[@Lance.West4]

Who remembers all the crazy SOTB billboards up and down 95 for hundreds of miles back in the day. Very few today.

[@thomascacioppo3785]

Family road trips since 1974.

[@AustinLCampbell]

I lived in Fayetteville, NC in the 80s and my dad and I would make a run down there to buy fireworks for the 4th of July. Looks like hardly anything has changed.

[@IanMartinExploration]

That’s crazy that it’s been like that for so long! I wonder when it was booming? Was it ever booming?

[@AustinLCampbell]

@@IanMartinExploration I know that the fireworks laws (at least at one time) were pretty tight in North Carolina, which was why so many people would run down there and buy fireworks. Also, at one time, Robison County, NC (which is the county right over the border) was a dry county and people would make alcohol runs down there. But the alcohol laws have changed and we can find fireworks in Wal Mart parking lots now days...

[@Lance.West4]

​@@AustinLCampbellNot the good ones. SC is the only place to get real fireworks that could blow your hand off lol. I'm from fayetteville as well. We still go down to SOB or Dillon to get fireworks every year. Family tradition. We still have all our fingers luckily lol

[@louisstennes3]

Anybody that lived anywhere on the East Coast knew South of the Border. I know this may sound weird but I would like to see it on the National Registry of Historic sites before it gets so far gone it just gets torn down and disappears. It was tacky and glitchy but it is ours tacky and glitchy. I used it as a mile marker to tell me how far I had to go..

[@BillyInvestigations]

The gift shops remind me of those you see in the mountains

[@arsinoeivlostprincess4228]

I stayed there in the early sixties on a trip as a kid with my family. We had breakfast in the restaurant. Extensive trinket shops. The restaurant had something on the ceiling Sombreros I believe. It had an exotic feeling. At that time bits of 95 were built but not connected. We generally took US 301 which started up in Maryland. 301 ran past it. The speeds were much slower and you simply turned off 301 in the place. Other than south of the border i don't recall there being much around that area at that time.

[@Lynxan]

Still remember when I first went to Florida and would see the signs a couple of hundred miles before getting to where this is and wondering about it all the way down the coast.

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

As I recall the first sign said. 199 miles.

[@nmcfadyen1445]

a big thing keeping sob around is their motocross training facility, lots of money comes from it, some of the best coaching i’ve ever had

[@davidjimenez933]

I remember going there as a kid back in the 70s I'm thinking 1977 I was 5 years old

[@agentjoe1890]

Hilarious video Ian!!! You gotta do a part 2😅 although long drive from Maryland The black cashier was really digging you can’t imagine having to work there though like how polite you were to everyone total class on your end because I’m sure they deal with alot of nuckleheads

[@IanMartinExploration]

Thanks as always for the support! I’m already thinking about how to get down there to stay overnight and make a part 2! I bet you’re right too about the workers. For every decent person they get they probably get 20-30 awful ones.

[@5.56Media]

Wow! Talk about a hot tub time machine experience! I haven't been there since I was a kid!

[@IanMartinExploration]

It was quite the Time Machine journey for me too. I didn’t remember it being quite so… well, yeah, the way it is

[@stevegiblin270]

I like the place and you should loosen-up a little bit! I will be staying at the motel in the future! Why don’t you jump in and see if they are real? Lol!😀😁😂

[@BillyInvestigations]

Thanks for the video you saved me a trip, 😂I actually live in S.C. passed there lots of times but never stopped I see why now😂

[@billstill1794]

Oh my! He's so jaded! The old man should have at least bought a 6-pack of that hot spicy soda he was constantly yacking about! He acted disappointed in everything but I wanted him to take his time and show us some of those odd and obscure items they were peddling instead of rushing around and wildly swinging his recorder around like he's panically fleeing a fire!

[@IanMartinExploration]

Oh my, what you don’t see is that the old man DID go back and buy a 12 pack, but thanks for making an assumption and embarrassing yourself.

[@thomascacioppo3785]

Around 1974 I played that golf course.

[@hughbertdougansly7624]

Inside those stores looks just like I remember it from the 90s

[@martygenska8117]

We have actually stayed in the campground several times; not sure if it still exists. We do go by this 4-5 times a year; never see much traffic and have always wondered how it manages to stay in business. Also never knew there was an elevator in that thing :)

[@bungeycord5971]

They used to sell Coors beer there when it wasnt legal in North Carolina. Ive been up on the top of that hat, it terrified me because the flooring was metal grating and you could see down to the ground. Also there used to be a place there (not sure today) that sold really good burritos.

[@mindfulnessbytheocean]

First time I was there I was 13 on our way to Georgia, and we stopped on the east side during summer. Of course I thought it was so cool! I know we went in the shops, had lunch, and I played in the arcade a bit. I’ve grown up and don’t like stuff like this anymore, but I’m tempted to go back for nostalgia. It looks exactly the same as 30+ years ago.

[@jamespringle9821]

They open both hotels during the tourist season, summer time.

[@jamie0]

I've lived about 1.5 hrs from here for the past 24 yrs and have yet to visit. Keep meaning to, though.

[@fm9572]

It looks different in the late spring/summer/early fall when people heading to the beach stop through, and take a bathroom break.

[@fm9572]

Highway 501 goes directly to Myrtle Beach, and Interstate 95 by passes it. 501 is generally where the people using I-95 turn off to go to Myrtle.

[@martygenska8117]

We used to count the Pedro signs along the way!

[@leonrowell689]

I live 5 miles from this place born and raised here in Dillon SC, they lied to you that elevator been down couple years now. I work down the road from there about two miles for 7 years, there's alot of things that not there anymore like the rides, since old man that started this place and passed away

[@ProfessionalByNoMeans]

Probably been by 100 times, never stopped. Lol.

[@bindig1]

I think SOTB had it's heyday back in the 60s and 70s. It looks kinda creepy nowadays

[@redpilleddaily8175]

Stop by their least twice a week! Pokemon go haven! Lol

[@GUYFROM2047]

They needed a population to utilize this area. I feel people don’t have to stop by that area like they used to. This was an amazing place before p go phones.

[@nikkivann-torres5413]

The amusement park is only open in the summer

[@JLAracing]

Reminds me of "The Thing!" in Arizona on I10. Signs for miles about it and it's just... meh. I'm sure back in it's prime it was an awesome spot, and at least they got the ginger ale going for them.

[@MrJohnnycage1985]

I used to ride through here as a young man around 2003. It was old then and empty. Stopped by years ago while with an ex-girlfriend, a weird place. I think the only way they stay open is by selling awesome fireworks. Pedro says so.

[@louishart6725]

I was nervous if that elevator was functional it would go against everything that make these videos great lol

[@MarkAnthonyHenderson]

Apparently, Soldiers from Fort Liberty (Bragg), NC have gotten married there.

[@redpilleddaily8175]

As a regular there, your there in January, off season! Lot more business May through September!

[@PandaForceSupreme]

I have lived about an hour north for most of my life. My friends and I are jokingly convinced that it MUST BE some type money laundering scheme.

[@mac11daddy6]

I always stop at JABS Fireworks whenever I run down to Florida. It doesn’t look like much has changed since I was a kid given that the only income for people in that part of South Carolina is from travelers and Firework sales. It’s a very very poor region of the state

[@amazingsnow]

Pedro say chille today and hot Tamala

[@ashierae545833]

My mom and dad went to South of the border for their honeymoon, after they got married in Dillon SC

[@JaDaddy2438]

I've been going by there for 45 years and have always wondered how that place stays open. There's never anybody there! Even people that live close by can't tell you how it stays open. Laundering for the cartel, maybe. Lol

[@georgebrown1543]

I don't think any of those animals were real. None of them were moving. The alligator opening and closing his jaws could have been mechanical.

[@amykate8140]

Im disappointed that you ripped on a Piece of Travel history. It may not have been your cup of tea, but many of us have wonderful memories if the place. Its neat and clean and well cared for. Its a shame u chose to rip on it instead of seeing the charm and kitch.

[@jamesdean3125]

Live in Va. Would go down there for fireworks 🎆 🙄

[@Youdoneedmyname]

This is a wonderful slice of Americana and dude complained the entire visit. It’s sad that it’s becoming run down due to lack of business.

[@5.56Media]

I will confidently say that NONE of those poor living creatures should be held in captivity there.

[@IanMartinExploration]

Glad I’m not the only one!

[@jimd2791]

I stopped there once in the 90s. Nothing to write home about. It was dingy then. I stayed about 30 min and then kept going on my way.

[@Jawwaad1111]

Great video but if you had bought something from that first gift shop, you would have made that lady’s day. You probably would have been the first customer she has rung up in a week. That whole place looks dead

[@IanMartinExploration]

I totally should have! I actually felt bad watching through the footage seeing her and not getting anything. Thanks for watching!

[@kipbrown1549]

Yes i would have !!

[@GaryHardin]

I was married here, because we were to young to marry in NC

[@jspillman1986]

You should probably stay north of the border 😂

[@georgefraserjr1329]

Man that place gives me the creeps,not if that’s the angle you were trying to convey but it worked great,I’ve only been there once on our harleys on the way home from The tail of the dragon back in ‘22

[@briananderson3801]

There was a truck stop on the left side of the road about half way down ,under the bridge on the left ,they used to have the best food ,,,this place used to b as busy as any of the big parks were ,,,and there gingerale is great i drove a truck for 44 yrs and i took my kids by there atleast 2 times a summer ,,,,that was a amazing place and a great veiw from the hat ,,,,lots of memories

[@kipbrown1549]

I live in MD. but i passed by there many times. Sad to see the bad times now. I do not think it will open to much longer.

[@emmettjones5165]

I spent the first 44 years of my life in Maryland, mostly in P.G County. In the late '70s and all thru the 80's that place was packed with people, spring through autumn. They had a BIG pinball arcade you'd have to wait your turn to play, a go-cart track...I know it's mostly empty now. Many kids don't play outside anymore. Very sad...

[@bubbawv2]

My wife & I stopped here last month because she remembered it from when she was a kid. This entire place was such a dump! We didn't even get out of the car. It definitely didn't have a good vibe.

[@BillyInvestigations]

Wow those animals look fake😮

[@mattgonzalez4457]

Those are real and live animals. The conditions look atrocious

[@ronrose1656]

Has been more than 20 years since I was at the SOB, glad to know it has NOT changed! STILL a dump!

[@darrenbarnhart6526]

And there some strang things happening there not to mention the crime rate there alone.

[@victormorrison441]

Roasting in comments... Go to a school that has trailers as classrooms and you will feel the same way...

[@IanMartinExploration]

I appreciate the roasting. You’re totally right too. Those portable classrooms are the worst.

[@peacefrog57]

Mightest rip it all down and build a huge bukeyes

[@briananderson3801]

They have raised these animals scince they were born ,,,omg tis world is stupid ,,,,if they hadent ,they would b gone for good ,,,,,there were 2 of them that were the last ones know to be alive when i was a kid ,,,,im 66yrs old ,,,,wow

[@Seebaer-wg6jh]

I took my kids there in the '80s. A couple of years ago I took my grandkids there. It is busy still busy in the summer.

[@jamespringle9821]

They stayed in business so long if you go in the spring summer time they are crazy busy. When I drop to Florida from NJ my gf and I stopped and they hardly had open parking and tourist busses lined the back lot.

[@RISk8ers]

I was just there 2 Saturdays ago, and I was one of 6 people total there. Must just be timing.