Adam, i did see it way back in the heyday. Think as a comparisson Hersey Park in Hersey, Penn,....i think there were about 700 employees working there!!
Buc-ee’s opening up soon just south on 95 in Florence is going to be a big test to see if SoB can hang on to life. I hope SoB can make some changes to keep attracting people. It’s sad, but when I mention how much I love this place, people say “ewwww, it’s been a dump for decades”…. Not in my eyes!
That’s so funny that someone out our sticker there. We’ve never been there before. What a coincidence that you’d find it. We miss running into you in SoCal Adam!
I stayed there numerous times as a kid with my parents. My older brother was in the Navy back in the 60s and 70s and we would drive down from NY and meet him in SC. This place was amazing back then.
The first time my family drove to Florida from Connecticut was in 1958, before I 95, on US 301. We saw the signs and didn't know what it was. We stayed in Fayetteville NC and my dad likes to get a middle of the night start so we ended up passing it at night and couldn't believe it. On our trips in 1962 and 1964 we stayed there. Saw it over the years grow and sad to see it slowly go away. Seems to be the way with many roadside attractions and history of that era. Thanks for sharing this video.
Adam completely missed this, but a whole new facility with tracks was built out back, they got dozens of rooms rented out full time czcams.com/video/BDF9Lp9imME/video.html
Adam, this vlog has been a gift!! I went here as a small kid. I suddenly remembered the camp ground and the Amusement Park!! My parents are now dead and i will be sure to pass this video on to all of my siblings! This was a magical place to have seen in the 70s or 80s
We always managed to always stop here on the way to Florida or Charleston SC. Basically they tore down motel (sketchy at best), Ice cream place and a T-shirt shop. They will build new stuff which is needed. They plan to add charging stations for EV, remodel some of the other places and upgrade the elevator at the Tower Arcade. Overall, this place needed to be upgraded to attract more random travelers.
The buildings that were torn down was because they were not considered stable any longer and beyond repairs. Great vlog, I've been there a few times as a kid.
When I worked in Savannah, our company's footprint went up I95 to some locations in North Carolina. Many a business trips up I95. Each time we had someone new in the vehicle we stopped at Pedro's South of the Border as a rite of passage. We always got a kick out of the 1/4 pound cheeseburger which was actually a total weight of 1/4 pound, meaning once you took out the bun, lettuce, cheese, and all the fixing you ended up with a very small piece of meat somewhere in the interior. One of my favorite roadside attractions! Make a run for the border!
The number of visitors depends on the time of the year. For example, in the weeks leading up to the 4th or New Year's, the crowd picks up dramatically. My aunt & uncle used to stop there every year to pick up fireworks on their way to grandma's house in NC for Christmas.
I remember going there as a kid in the 80's and we loved it and even stayed over in the motel a number of times. I took my wife again maybe 10 years ago and it was in very rough shape. A lot of buildings and areas in disrepair and it wasn't the greatest experience. So I hope the tear down is them doing some rebuilding an upkeep.
THIS is one part why i LOVE America so much, the roadside attractions! We don't have those in Switzerland and neighboring countries :( But i have to say my heart did bleed seeing those reptiles in such small compartiments, crocs and alligators need a little more room then that, also snakes for that matter (worked in a zoo for awhile) Thanks Adam for showing us around and see you tomorrow! (hope you don't get a cold with two days in freezing weather)
Just as iconic as the place itself are the billboards. "You never sausage a place" with a giant hot dog attached with the bright day-glo paint on most of them. As a kid, before fireworks were legal in NC, it was kind of a tradition to travel to SC to get them (just the more tame stuff really) and the SoB billboards were always fun to see.
Vote for Pedro! This makes me sad to see so many tourist traps being 'erased from existence' right before our eyes. First thing to go is always the staff, then property, i.e. parking lot/grass overgrowth. Glad you bought something to keep the lights on for another month. :)
I love stopping there on my way to and from Disney! It’s an American tradition. I was sad when I heard some of the building a were demolished but they were old and I’m sure they’ll rebuild better.
It sure is sad to see so many of these roadside attractions that survived decades, only to start dying off in the "modern age." I never made it to South of the Border, but my favorite roadside attraction from my childhood was Wall Drug, followed closely by Little America (which from what I can tell has turned into something completely different from what it was in the past). I'm glad to see that Wall Drug still exists today... Hopefully it lasts forever. Thank you for sharing this piece of Americana, Adam.
@@HunterJohnson77 SOB is on the interstate too. I've never been there but I've been to Wall Drug numerous times, including once a few years ago and it was still packed. Not sure why SOB can't keep the momentum going. Maybe they should add some mini golf and go carts and such and try to make it more of a fun destination instead of just shopping for kitsch.
OK Now I see they did have mini golf and some rides. But it looks as sketchy as all heck. You can't keep an attraction going if you don't care for it, and this one just might have been unmaintained past the point of no return.
I like the road side stands there was the shell shops orange grove stands and i remember the cypress knee museum. The man who owned it was an American gem. He told me how his family survived hard times. I have no affection for Disney World. I’d love to stay at S O Boarder for a few days.
Thanks Adam - this place is a vivid part of my youthful memories. My father stopped and stayed here with my brother and I on all of our annual pilgrimages to Florida. It serves to once again remind me of just how fun and caring of a man our Dad was. I am overwhelmed with emotion just watching this!
That is certainly eye-catching as you drive down 95! Thank you for the video. I will definitely make a stop there on my next trip south. I'm loving these videos Adam.
First heard of SOTB in Jean Sheppard’s 1982 “The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters” and visited it a number of times years after. Seeing a fireworks “super market” there was quite a sight for a fire cracker starved Pennsylvanian. Thanks Adam for another interesting look at roadside America!
I remember seeing it decline over the years when my family would drive all the way from CT to FL every summer on I-95 - I remember the Ferris wheel, the other rides, all the lights, it seemed like an intriguing place but we never stopped. Thanks for covering this roadside attraction.
Grew up not too far from this awesomely kitschy place! Remember a great friend taking me there one night. So fun! Great memories! Thanks for this video, Adam! Your videos have never been better!
Back in 1972, I-95 was still being completed through that area. Heading south you had to get off of I-95 and then go on a 17 mile detour and then get back on 1-95 to go further south. Of course, the detour went right through SOTB. The other interesting thing is that supposedly SOTB wanted an interchange for I-95 right there and that caused delay in building that section. Without that interchange SOTB would have gone out of business as so many other businesses did as the interstate highways passed them by.
This is why I l💜 your videos Adam loving towns and roadside attractions, nailed it yet again. Love the scooter tours, and your enthusiasm you look like your having a great time. The Woo is back 💜
@@TheDailyWoo If you're still in the area there's a Stuckey's just north of there. It's not exactly a mom and pop operation, but it's kind of like Howard Johnson's. They had little diners inside that all had the triangle golf tee games on all the tables. You could buy weird stuff like smoking monkeys, Mexican jumping beans, and Yes/Know books there too.
When I was in the Navy in the Pensacola area back in the mid 60s, the rural thrift shops were one of my favorite things to check out. Some were like a regular department store except that everything was used. You could get anything from clothing to furniture to guns, cameras and guitars. I've never found anything like that here in PA except for some places out in Amish country, but they seem to be more "touristy".
I'm from Florence and it almost made me cry to see so much of it gone now. I can't imagine that they have the right kind of trained people to take care of those gators and crocs.. it also almost made me cry to see them in such small spaces and know that some low wage worker without a vet license is probably who is taking care of them.
I'm from Florence too. I took my kids when they were small for a weekend. It was lots of fun back then. This is so sad. Hopefully, they rebuild and Pedro and SOTB will be better than ever. We went to Florida ever summer when I was a kid. We loved the billboards.
This is so awesome seeing you in my home state! SOTB has always been an attraction for my family for yearrrrs. Couldn't wait to see the signs on the way to the beach😁 love this vlog❤👍thank you, Adam!
I went through there in 1981. I was 8 yrs old. Trucking with dad to florida with potatoes. My first long ride with him. It was actually quiet back then as well.. dad just retired last week, 44 years class A trucker. thanks for memories!
I'm sure a lot of people have great stories from SOB, the place is such an icon. Here's one if mine. My dad lived in Florida and as a kid my brother and I lived in NY. Going down to FL at least twice a year for many many years, I have passed through SOB many a time and personally have noticed its steadily decline. As kids that place was amazing. We loved it every time we woukd stop. At one point I think they even had a small zoo on the property. Back in 2006 i was moving back to NY from FL with my newly married wife and we stopped and stayed at the hotel on property. Something I always wanted to do as a kid but we never did as a NY to FL road trip was always tight on time and the SOB stops were just about the onky thing we would ever stop for. Dad kept a tight schedule on those road trips. The hotel was as kitch as the rest of the place. The room was defiantly a throw back from the 60s 70s . it was a lot if fun but even back then in 2006 the place had seen way better days. Its the end of an era. First Betty White , now South of the Border. What's the world coming to?
My favorite s.o.b bill board on 95 is , " Chilly today, Hot tamale ". Also fireworks used to be illegal in Georgia and North Carolina that's why you always see fireworks stores near the state line. You went from Columbia straight to Dillion, there was a lot of forgotten towns in between. Love the small town America videos, keep up the good work
Brings back old memories from the late sixties. My dad used to stop there every time we travelled up and down the east coast. I have continued the tradition with my kids. Great place!
OMG!! It happened again but now twice in one video. Are you in my head? I have laughter tears steaming down my face right now. I love it when things like this happen. The last thing in the world I expected to see in a South of the Border video was crocodiles and alligators! Just yesterday, when you filmed this video, I decided to watch a movie I hadn’t seen in years for Betty White’s 100th, Lake Placid! But if that wasn’t enough, you made the comment “I thought the crocodile was gonna move, but it didn’t move” and your video yesterday you spoke of the tiger at the car wash and I posted about the alligators and bear at the farmers market my grandmother and great grandmother would take me to as a child and “waiting for the alligator to move” was a common utterance out of my mouth. I wish my grandmother was still alive, she’d get a kick out of this video too!! She and I also have a history with SOB.
Loved the vlog! We were here in 1991, (Before the shark of 1995 I guess) and it was a pretty happening place. It was a family road trip from MA to FL that I can't recommend. Heh (planes from then on) and it was nice revisiting today. We took pics of the kids on the shell, gorilla, alligator, and bear. We got a bumper sticker, too. You made me totally LOL with your brief commentary about the Adult Games! I needed that laugh. Thank you, Adam, for a memorable day. xo
We would count down the hours to get to South of the border or as my grandmother called it Pedro's. Being Cuban born we did yearly trips to Miami every year in a station wagon. There where eight of us all together. My parents my three sisters and our grandparents. South of the border brings back memories of knowing we were halfway there. Halfway to Miami which to us was just Paradise. There were road signs all along the highway hundreds of miles before reaching South of the border and we would be so excited just to see those road signs along the way. Yay we are Almost at Pedro's!!
I haven't been there in 30 years. When we lived in Virginia we'd pass it on the way to Florida. We stopped and spent the night one time and it was late 80's. It was not the most comfortable stay we've ever had but our daughter, who was 9 at the time, thought all of the activities were a lot of fun. The restaurant was pretty decent too.
Great video. I grew up 20 miles away and still live in the area. I drive by every now and again just for the hell of it. Back when my family moved to SC in 1986 my aunt who was already here would take us there almost every Saturday during the summer before we discovered better options in Myrtle Beach. That place was so amazing back in the day. You literally could spend an entire day there and everything was working and open unlike present day. What a gem of a place.
Hi Adam, Those yellow swivel chairs reminded of chairs that they use to have in McDonald's when I was a kid. So we are talking the 70's and 80's time line. Thanks for the tour of SOB. lol
Interested to see the updates they end up doing! Adam, if you come to the Wilmington, NC area, you should check out Eagle Island. It's a small store that sells local products and produce, like jams, jellies, cheeses, some meats, and Merrits Burger House in Wilmington. Swing by Paul's Place in Rocky Point for a quick bite (awesome hot dogs) both places have been in business for years. We love our little area!
Loved your tour of South of the Border. Probably 20 years ago was my first visit. Its wasn't very busy, and thought that maybe during the summer season when so many are heading to Disney Orlando. Since I have never been around there at that time, I just don't know. At one time, I can imagine the Griswold family and the Family Truckster stopping by this place and Chevy Chase and family spending a few hours there. (I know They were really out west) It must have been a real busy place at that time. In cold weather, it can be very slow there, and many are eager to just get to Florida and the warm weather.
Thanks Adam for visiting SOB. Myself and my parents always stopped there on our travels from Mass to Florida, or anywhere we went down south to visit family and friends, back in the 1970s and 1980s. Brings back many memories, since my parents are no longer with us.
Thank you Adam. I always enjoy your ventures. Places like South of the border used to thrive when parents took their kids there. Now days kids are on their computers and IPhones and so are the parents. Everyone is a prisoner in the own self created cell AKA home.
So sad to see this. The last vacation I took with my parents (2017) before my father passed away was to Myrtle Beach. He was so excited to show me South of the Border as it was one of the things that had been around since his childhood. This brought back a lot of fun final memories I had with him.
We stop here every year on our way to Myrtle Beach from Maryland just to take a break from the drive. It's usually pretty busy at SOB when we go in mid June. They've had the same souvenirs in the Mexio Shop since I was a kid. A few years ago I noticed that there were not as many SOB billboards on 95 as there were before. It looked like they removed a lot of them which is a shame. It's definitely a quirky place but it brings back a lot of memories. Safe travels Adam! :)
I love the "old timey" play yard! Looks like some of the parks I grew up around!! Very interesting video, Adam, thank you!! P.S. Please keep yourself safe and warm from these winter elements, I don't want to hear about your demise or injuries on the nightly news!!! May God keep you safe my friend!!! 🙏
Went there with the family years ago. Thanks for giving us a window into what it looks like today. I still remember all those "Pedro say's . . .." signs posted along the way for miles leading to "SOUTH OF THE BORDER".
Hey Adam! How about coming to Chester SC? There are lots of dilapidated buildings and old billboards painted on buildings on its Main Street. Its also down the road from Springs Park, one of your very early filming locations. Jacob the Carpetbagger came out and we did a video together there. The town was also featured in a move called the Price of Heaven starring George Wendt from Cheers.
That is so cool that you stopped there and documented that place. I first remember seeing it in the 1960's when my parents and I drove from New Hampshire to Florida. The signs intrigued me, but they didn't stop. My husband, son and I did stop there several times on road trips in the 1980's to 1990's. One time we even stayed in the motel that had waterbeds. There was also a heated indoor pool that our son loved. I got so excited when you showed the wiener dog. I have a picture of my son on it when he was about 6 years old. It was in front of a building back then. We also went up into the sombrero and it was cool. One night we drove a couple of exits down to eat at a Howard Johnsons. I SO miss those restaurants! Our most memorable time at South of the Border was in the late 1980's when we were driving from where we lived in Maryland down to Jacksonville, Florida where my husband's family lived. It started to snow in Virginia and traffic slowed down. It was still bad when we hit South of the Border and it was dark by then. We had reservations at the Days Inn on the other side of I-95 from SOB and as we were going down the exit several vehicles had slid off the embankment, including a car with a U-Haul trailer and an ambulance. When we were checking into the motel there was a young couple with a small boy trying to find a room, but there were none available. They told the clerk that they were military on their way to a new station in Florida and that was their car and U-Haul in the ditch. We had a room with 2 double beds, so we invited them to share our room. Our son, and the boy slept on blankets on the floor. We were stuck there for a couple of days due to the snow and the fact that they were using road graders to clear I95. That was quite an experience! I am sad that people don't stop at SOB much anymore. I guess people are in too much of a hurry to slow down and enjoy touristy places like that.
A lot of the buildings were damaged by the huge flood we had and then followed by hurricane damage that came in a totally shut down the road from there to north Myrtle Beach. I'm glad they've taken down the worst of the buildings. Hopefully it is the first step in rebuilding.
Looks plastic to me to Adam, wasn't expecting to see all the reptiles, by the time you've done this road trip your tee shirt collection will of grown considerably lol, loved the vlog Thankyou Adam
And a good morning to you Adam. I'm checking out the latest of your adventures. I figure you are about to head out on another chilly day of Adventure. Enjoy my state take it in. God Bless and keep you safe.
When I was little & we traveled from Florida to New York every summer to visit my grandmother, we stayed at South of the Border every year. Thank you for showing what’s left of it! I can remember swimming in the pool. Thank you!
Back in 1971, our family moved from California to Georgia. I remember us taking a trip to the Smokies that summer & stopping at this place. We were SO excited to find a Mexican restaurant, as back then, they were almost non-existent in the southern states. Not even Taco Bell existed in that part of the country back then! Anyway, the Mexican food we got that day was AWFUL, & the Smokies, while beautiful, were nothing like the big tall western mountains we were used to! And it was still almost as hot & humid as it was where we lived in Georgia! Lol! We moved back to California a few years later, but I still have good memories from that day! Especially since both of my parents are now passed away. Great nostalgic video, Adam! I'm loving these vlogs, but still miss your Disney vlogs, as well. I hope someday you find a way to do both. 😊
😭😭 Now I know I'm old!! As a kid-leaving Florida for the summer and heading back to Pennsylvania-I looked forward to the plethera of signs "cool today-hot tamale" at SOB 10 miles....my parents had to stop. There was so much to see and do-awesome place for a child. Alas-I will add to my memory of drive in movie theatres and incredible "one of a kind" places along Route 66. Thanks Adam- nice to see a few things still remain (hot dog & drive under Pedro) used to have a petting zoo & little rides (merry go round & farris wheel) 😳😭😞
I know it might be a constant hassle for you to do, but curious folks like me always very much appreciate it when you give out the date of whatever video you're doing. It helps give some real perspective that enriches your general body of work. So please keep it up!
We all need to plan trips to have time to stop at places like here around the country as it is important to keep them alive as it is special road side America
Hey Adam. SOB is a must do everytime we drive back and forth between FL and MD which is pretty often. Hope they fix it up. It was pretty cool back in the day. Now its more of a nostalgia thing. Safe travels
Blenheim Ginger Ale, a popular soft drink in the Carolina's, is made on site at South of the Border. Factory building is near the back of the campground area.
This was great! Thanks for making the video, brings back memories. It's been a long time since I've stopped there. It's a must when traveling on I-95. It was pretty empty when I went as well.
You’re brave getting coffee or any type of food from that place. SOTB has been in various states of disrepair since I first visited in 1980, but it’s always looked run down. Still interesting, though.
Oh my God I love this place, love that it is so kitschy!! Thank you so much for sharing, some of these places on the property I never even knew existed!!😊
Thanks Adam. I live in Columbia but have never spent any time at SOB. The kids and I are now planning a trip to do some shopping and get gas. Thank you you made it look like a fun place.
Nice to see the fireworks store is still there. Knew some people who went there in the early 1960's before the laws kicked in. You could get Cherry Bombs $6 a box. Silver tube salutes (M-80 type) for $7. Four-pound skyrockets. Almost everything was American made then, big fat and heavy. Great times.
My wife and I were just talking about South Of The Border yesterday. We were wondering if all the politically incorrect billboards were still up? LOL! I remember the first time my family drove to FL in 1960 (I was 13) and reading all the billboards along the highway for miles and then finally seeing the place. Passed it many times since and actually stayed there back in about 1995. It was a wreck! But fun. Thanks for the memories :)
I grew up in Maryland. On the way to school every morning it was "only 350 more miles to Pedro's at south of the border". Never forget the bill boards every 10 miles on route 301.
South of the a Border has always been a cool memory from road trips to Disney from Massachusetts since I was 8 years old and many other trips throughout my life. So cool to see Pedro still standing strong.
Nov. 4, 2021, at 12:03 p.m. HAMER, S.C. (AP) - South of the Border, a popular South Carolina tourist attraction, is receiving some upgrades. General Manager Timmy Townsend told The Sun News that three of the shops have been torn down to make room for new projects, and several others are being renovated.
Very happy to hear this. I hope whoever is building will take the time to make the stuff both unique and durable and visitors will be able to enjoy it for decades.
I've stayed in the main hotel several times from the 70s...the last time ring 2015. The rooms still had decor, furnishings and bedspreads from the late 70s/early 90s. It was very clean but old. It was like stepping back in time and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was raised in Johnston County NC our house was beside I-95. There was a big sign in a field very close to us advertising South of The Border, 101 miles. I had kin in SC and lived near Florence for 35 years and have been to and passed by SOTB many times in the past. I have not been that way in several years now but I am glad to see the place is still open. I enjoy your videos' keep them coming sir.
When I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s we would stop there on our way to Indiana and stop on our way back to Florida. That was was always busy back then, no matter what time of the day you went. We would make that drive twice a year, once during the summer and for Christmas. Kids today don't care about stopping at places like that because they have their Cellphones and gaming devices they would rather play with. I miss those days when families would get out on the road and travel to tourist traps lol
That last hurricane in 2018 flooded and damaged a lot of the structures so that may be why they were tore down?? Maybe too much money to repair so cheaper to tear down? A thought anyway….
Instagram - AdamTheWooATW
Which buildings might be next ?
I first went here as a small child,....I remember I thought at the time that we were at the USA/Mexico Boarder, lol
Adam, i did see it way back in the heyday. Think as a comparisson Hersey Park in Hersey, Penn,....i think there were about 700 employees working there!!
Buc-ee’s opening up soon just south on 95 in Florence is going to be a big test to see if SoB can hang on to life. I hope SoB can make some changes to keep attracting people. It’s sad, but when I mention how much I love this place, people say “ewwww, it’s been a dump for decades”…. Not in my eyes!
Wow. There's no tellin what comes next. Stay tuned folks!! 😃
I was there in 1980, on the way to Florida, on motorcycles. It was a fabulous place to visit. Fond memories.
That’s so funny that someone out our sticker there. We’ve never been there before. What a coincidence that you’d find it. We miss running into you in SoCal Adam!
Now you have to go and take a photo with your and Adam's sticker lol.
Adam has directed you to visit now lol
So awesome!!
I didn't expect to hear about you guys on this video lol
I stayed there numerous times as a kid with my parents. My older brother was in the Navy back in the 60s and 70s and we would drive down from NY and meet him in SC. This place was amazing back then.
@lorraine I heard that, these type of places were so much fun when we were kids! They’d be so busy most of the time…
J
Used to stop there also in the 60's traveling from Richmond to Charleston.sad to see it now
We used to pass through and stop on the way to and from my grandparents who lived in NJ back in the 60’s. Definitely has changed!
The first time my family drove to Florida from Connecticut was in 1958, before I 95, on US 301. We saw the signs and didn't know what it was. We stayed in Fayetteville NC and my dad likes to get a middle of the night start so we ended up passing it at night and couldn't believe it. On our trips in 1962 and 1964 we stayed there. Saw it over the years grow and sad to see it slowly go away. Seems to be the way with many roadside attractions and history of that era. Thanks for sharing this video.
I'm crossing my fingers that they are revitalizing it but you are probably right.
We stopped there in 55 on our way from PP Manor NY to Fla.Dad mom and us three kids.
Adam completely missed this, but a whole new facility with tracks was built out back, they got dozens of rooms rented out full time czcams.com/video/BDF9Lp9imME/video.html
Adam, this vlog has been a gift!! I went here as a small kid. I suddenly remembered the camp ground and the Amusement Park!! My parents are now dead and i will be sure to pass this video on to all of my siblings! This was a magical place to have seen in the 70s or 80s
We always managed to always stop here on the way to Florida or Charleston SC. Basically they tore down motel (sketchy at best), Ice cream place and a T-shirt shop. They will build new stuff which is needed. They plan to add charging stations for EV, remodel some of the other places and upgrade the elevator at the Tower Arcade. Overall, this place needed to be upgraded to attract more random travelers.
The buildings that were torn down was because they were not considered stable any longer and beyond repairs. Great vlog, I've been there a few times as a kid.
Through wind, snow, rain, ice or sleet, Adam the Woo brings us his daily vlog. Thanks, Adam ! Stay warm !!
When I worked in Savannah, our company's footprint went up I95 to some locations in North Carolina. Many a business trips up I95. Each time we had someone new in the vehicle we stopped at Pedro's South of the Border as a rite of passage. We always got a kick out of the 1/4 pound cheeseburger which was actually a total weight of 1/4 pound, meaning once you took out the bun, lettuce, cheese, and all the fixing you ended up with a very small piece of meat somewhere in the interior. One of my favorite roadside attractions! Make a run for the border!
That’s genius way to market a quarter pounder , ha
The number of visitors depends on the time of the year. For example, in the weeks leading up to the 4th or New Year's, the crowd picks up dramatically. My aunt & uncle used to stop there every year to pick up fireworks on their way to grandma's house in NC for Christmas.
I remember going there as a kid in the 80's and we loved it and even stayed over in the motel a number of times. I took my wife again maybe 10 years ago and it was in very rough shape. A lot of buildings and areas in disrepair and it wasn't the greatest experience. So I hope the tear down is them doing some rebuilding an upkeep.
This brings back memories driving from NY to Florida when I was a kid! Loved this place!!
THIS is one part why i LOVE America so much, the roadside attractions! We don't have those in Switzerland and neighboring countries :( But i have to say my heart did bleed seeing those reptiles in such small compartiments, crocs and alligators need a little more room then that, also snakes for that matter (worked in a zoo for awhile) Thanks Adam for showing us around and see you tomorrow! (hope you don't get a cold with two days in freezing weather)
Enjoy the free health care. It's no fun going bankrupt in the US just because you get sick.
@@hallking7441 true!
@@Danny099 and the Eiger Nordwand and the Matterhorn lol ;)
if that bothered you, you're not going to want to see any of the thousands of alligator farms around there either 😅😅
We don't either much anymore
Just as iconic as the place itself are the billboards. "You never sausage a place" with a giant hot dog attached with the bright day-glo paint on most of them. As a kid, before fireworks were legal in NC, it was kind of a tradition to travel to SC to get them (just the more tame stuff really) and the SoB billboards were always fun to see.
Real fireworks are still illegal in NC.
@@wynnmatthews1858 I never mess with them anyway, good to know though.
"Pedro's Forecast, Hot Today, Chili Tamale", and "Our Honeymoon Suites are Heir Conditioned".
@@JeffDeWitt I remember it as "Chili today, hot tamale"
@@DyreStraits I think you're right.
Vote for Pedro! This makes me sad to see so many tourist traps being 'erased from existence' right before our eyes. First thing to go is always the staff, then property, i.e. parking lot/grass overgrowth. Glad you bought something to keep the lights on for another month. :)
Not "Tourist Traps."
They're called Roadside Attractions.
Well said, SleepAwayCamp.
They aren’t going away. They are upgrading and updating. They posted that they just added charging stations for electrical vehicles.
How do they keep this place open?
It has to be bleeding money.
Stopped there sometime in the mid 70's and it wasn't busy then either.
Same here. I remember the indoor pool.
As a lifelong NC'er, SOTB was the site that meant that you were on the way to Myrtle Beach.
I love stopping there on my way to and from Disney! It’s an American tradition. I was sad when I heard some of the building a were demolished but they were old and I’m sure they’ll rebuild better.
It sure is sad to see so many of these roadside attractions that survived decades, only to start dying off in the "modern age." I never made it to South of the Border, but my favorite roadside attraction from my childhood was Wall Drug, followed closely by Little America (which from what I can tell has turned into something completely different from what it was in the past). I'm glad to see that Wall Drug still exists today... Hopefully it lasts forever. Thank you for sharing this piece of Americana, Adam.
Wall drug makes big BUCKS. The interstate will keep it alive.
@@HunterJohnson77 SOB is on the interstate too. I've never been there but I've been to Wall Drug numerous times, including once a few years ago and it was still packed. Not sure why SOB can't keep the momentum going. Maybe they should add some mini golf and go carts and such and try to make it more of a fun destination instead of just shopping for kitsch.
OK Now I see they did have mini golf and some rides. But it looks as sketchy as all heck. You can't keep an attraction going if you don't care for it, and this one just might have been unmaintained past the point of no return.
I like the road side stands there was the shell shops orange grove stands and i remember the cypress knee museum. The man who owned it was an American gem. He told me how his family survived hard times. I have no affection for Disney World. I’d love to stay at S O Boarder for a few days.
Thanks Adam - this place is a vivid part of my youthful memories. My father stopped and stayed here with my brother and I on all of our annual pilgrimages to Florida. It serves to once again remind me of just how fun and caring of a man our Dad was. I am overwhelmed with emotion just watching this!
That is certainly eye-catching as you drive down 95! Thank you for the video. I will definitely make a stop there on my next trip south. I'm loving these videos Adam.
First heard of SOTB in Jean Sheppard’s 1982 “The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters” and visited it a number of times years after. Seeing a fireworks “super market” there was quite a sight for a fire cracker starved Pennsylvanian. Thanks Adam for another interesting look at roadside America!
Great movie. You see those signs for 300 miles
I remember seeing it decline over the years when my family would drive all the way from CT to FL every summer on I-95 - I remember the Ferris wheel, the other rides, all the lights, it seemed like an intriguing place but we never stopped. Thanks for covering this roadside attraction.
Happy to see this place is still open. It's more expansive than I realized. Glad you found the Reptile Lagoon! So odd and awesome.
Thank You Adam for all your streaming. Sooo sad that parts were taken down.
Grew up not too far from this awesomely kitschy place! Remember a great friend taking me there one night. So fun! Great memories! Thanks for this video, Adam! Your videos have never been better!
Back in 1972, I-95 was still being completed through that area. Heading south you had to get off of I-95 and then go on a 17 mile detour and then get back on 1-95 to go further south. Of course, the detour went right through SOTB. The other interesting thing is that supposedly SOTB wanted an interchange for I-95 right there and that caused delay in building that section. Without that interchange SOTB would have gone out of business as so many other businesses did as the interstate highways passed them by.
I have stopped there a few times over the last 20 years. The thing that is most amazing about South of the Border is that they remain in business.
it could be the fireworks sales
One of your finest videos Adam. You're doing great big fan of yours for almost a decade. You seem happy and we're happy to watch you
This is why I l💜 your videos Adam loving towns and roadside attractions, nailed it yet again. Love the scooter tours, and your enthusiasm you look like your having a great time. The Woo is back 💜
I would love to see you stop at some mom and pops thrift like stores on the back roads and forgotten towns. That’s part of my bucket list… 😊
That would be fun ! I should work that in
@@TheDailyWoo If you're still in the area there's a Stuckey's just north of there. It's not exactly a mom and pop operation, but it's kind of like Howard Johnson's. They had little diners inside that all had the triangle golf tee games on all the tables. You could buy weird stuff like smoking monkeys, Mexican jumping beans, and Yes/Know books there too.
When I was in the Navy in the Pensacola area back in the mid 60s, the rural thrift shops were one of my favorite things to check out. Some were like a regular department store except that everything was used. You could get anything from clothing to furniture to guns, cameras and guitars. I've never found anything like that here in PA except for some places out in Amish country, but they seem to be more "touristy".
@@TheDailyWoo We can definitely recommend some Mom & Pop gas stations with great food if you’re in the area again. 👍🍗
@@ashoemaker.dreamvacations that’s a great idea too. I looove greasy, hole in the wall, mom and pop diners/restaurants/breakfast houses….
I'm from Florence and it almost made me cry to see so much of it gone now. I can't imagine that they have the right kind of trained people to take care of those gators and crocs.. it also almost made me cry to see them in such small spaces and know that some low wage worker without a vet license is probably who is taking care of them.
From Florence also, so sad to see what this place has turned into. 😢 It was so much to enjoy when I was younger.
I'm from Florence too. I took my kids when they were small for a weekend. It was lots of fun back then. This is so sad. Hopefully, they rebuild and Pedro and SOTB will be better than ever. We went to Florida ever summer when I was a kid. We loved the billboards.
This is so awesome seeing you in my home state! SOTB has always been an attraction for my family for yearrrrs. Couldn't wait to see the signs on the way to the beach😁 love this vlog❤👍thank you, Adam!
I went through there in 1981. I was 8 yrs old. Trucking with dad to florida with potatoes. My first long ride with him. It was actually quiet back then as well.. dad just retired last week, 44 years class A trucker. thanks for memories!
I'm sure a lot of people have great stories from SOB, the place is such an icon. Here's one if mine. My dad lived in Florida and as a kid my brother and I lived in NY. Going down to FL at least twice a year for many many years, I have passed through SOB many a time and personally have noticed its steadily decline. As kids that place was amazing. We loved it every time we woukd stop. At one point I think they even had a small zoo on the property. Back in 2006 i was moving back to NY from FL with my newly married wife and we stopped and stayed at the hotel on property. Something I always wanted to do as a kid but we never did as a NY to FL road trip was always tight on time and the SOB stops were just about the onky thing we would ever stop for. Dad kept a tight schedule on those road trips. The hotel was as kitch as the rest of the place. The room was defiantly a throw back from the 60s 70s . it was a lot if fun but even back then in 2006 the place had seen way better days. Its the end of an era. First Betty White , now South of the Border. What's the world coming to?
My experience back in the 80’s at South of the Border was every store we went in the same merchandise was in every store.
i remember those playground animals from childhood! That is a memory. Thank you for sharing a very unique place Adam.
😂 Two days in a row I had to turn the heat up watching your blog. Freezing right along with you. Loved it thanks.
My favorite s.o.b bill board on 95 is , " Chilly today, Hot tamale ". Also fireworks used to be illegal in Georgia and North Carolina that's why you always see fireworks stores near the state line. You went from Columbia straight to Dillion, there was a lot of forgotten towns in between. Love the small town America videos, keep up the good work
Brings back old memories from the late sixties. My dad used to stop there every time we travelled up and down the east coast. I have continued the tradition with my kids. Great place!
OMG!! It happened again but now twice in one video. Are you in my head? I have laughter tears steaming down my face right now. I love it when things like this happen.
The last thing in the world I expected to see in a South of the Border video was crocodiles and alligators! Just yesterday, when you filmed this video, I decided to watch a movie I hadn’t seen in years for Betty White’s 100th, Lake Placid! But if that wasn’t enough, you made the comment “I thought the crocodile was gonna move, but it didn’t move” and your video yesterday you spoke of the tiger at the car wash and I posted about the alligators and bear at the farmers market my grandmother and great grandmother would take me to as a child and “waiting for the alligator to move” was a common utterance out of my mouth. I wish my grandmother was still alive, she’d get a kick out of this video too!! She and I also have a history with SOB.
Loved the vlog! We were here in 1991, (Before the shark of 1995 I guess) and it was a pretty happening place. It was a family road trip from MA to FL that I can't recommend. Heh (planes from then on) and it was nice revisiting today. We took pics of the kids on the shell, gorilla, alligator, and bear. We got a bumper sticker, too. You made me totally LOL with your brief commentary about the Adult Games! I needed that laugh. Thank you, Adam, for a memorable day. xo
We would count down the hours to get to South of the border or as my grandmother called it Pedro's. Being Cuban born we did yearly trips to Miami every year in a station wagon. There where eight of us all together. My parents my three sisters and our grandparents. South of the border brings back memories of knowing we were halfway there. Halfway to Miami which to us was just Paradise. There were road signs all along the highway hundreds of miles before reaching South of the border and we would be so excited just to see those road signs along the way. Yay we are Almost at Pedro's!!
I haven't been there in 30 years. When we lived in Virginia we'd pass it on the way to Florida. We stopped and spent the night one time and it was late 80's. It was not the most comfortable stay we've ever had but our daughter, who was 9 at the time, thought all of the activities were a lot of fun. The restaurant was pretty decent too.
Great video. I grew up 20 miles away and still live in the area. I drive by every now and again just for the hell of it. Back when my family moved to SC in 1986 my aunt who was already here would take us there almost every Saturday during the summer before we discovered better options in Myrtle Beach. That place was so amazing back in the day. You literally could spend an entire day there and everything was working and open unlike present day. What a gem of a place.
Hi Adam,
Those yellow swivel chairs reminded of chairs that they use to have in McDonald's when I was a kid. So we are talking the 70's and 80's time line. Thanks for the tour of SOB. lol
Interested to see the updates they end up doing! Adam, if you come to the Wilmington, NC area, you should check out Eagle Island. It's a small store that sells local products and produce, like jams, jellies, cheeses, some meats, and Merrits Burger House in Wilmington. Swing by Paul's Place in Rocky Point for a quick bite (awesome hot dogs) both places have been in business for years. We love our little area!
Loved your tour of South of the Border. Probably 20 years ago was my first visit. Its wasn't very busy, and thought that maybe during the summer season when so many are heading to Disney Orlando. Since I have never been around there at that time, I just don't know. At one time, I can imagine the Griswold family and the Family Truckster stopping by this place and Chevy Chase and family spending a few hours there. (I know They were really out west) It must have been a real busy place at that time. In cold weather, it can be very slow there, and many are eager to just get to Florida and the warm weather.
It looks like the place is improving. Glad to see this! Thanks Adam!!
Thanks Adam for visiting SOB. Myself and my parents always stopped there on our travels from Mass to Florida, or anywhere we went down south to visit family and friends, back in the 1970s and 1980s. Brings back many memories, since my parents are no longer with us.
Thank you Adam. I always enjoy your ventures. Places like South of the border used to thrive when parents took their kids there. Now days kids are on their computers and IPhones and so are the parents. Everyone is a prisoner in the own self created cell AKA home.
So sad to see this. The last vacation I took with my parents (2017) before my father passed away was to Myrtle Beach. He was so excited to show me South of the Border as it was one of the things that had been around since his childhood. This brought back a lot of fun final memories I had with him.
We stop here every year on our way to Myrtle Beach from Maryland just to take a break from the drive. It's usually pretty busy at SOB when we go in mid June. They've had the same souvenirs in the Mexio Shop since I was a kid. A few years ago I noticed that there were not as many SOB billboards on 95 as there were before. It looked like they removed a lot of them which is a shame. It's definitely a quirky place but it brings back a lot of memories. Safe travels Adam! :)
I love SOB and actually recommended it to you a few years ago along with Stone Mountain ❤️ thank you for the update, XO from Texas ❤️
I remember passing numerous signs for this attraction when I moved to Florida about 30 years ago. Was wondering recently if it was still there!
Man, it's sad to see these roadside attractions starting to close down. These establishments make a location special, so sad to see.
They're not tearing it down they are redoing it
It’s still open just tearing some stuff out
@@TheDailyWoo Oh good to know!
I love the "old timey" play yard! Looks like some of the parks I grew up around!! Very interesting video, Adam, thank you!!
P.S. Please keep yourself safe and warm from these winter elements, I don't want to hear about your demise or injuries on the nightly news!!! May God keep you safe my friend!!! 🙏
Went there with the family years ago.
Thanks for giving us a window into what it looks like today.
I still remember all those "Pedro say's . . .." signs posted along the way for miles leading to "SOUTH OF THE BORDER".
Hey Adam! How about coming to Chester SC? There are lots of dilapidated buildings and old billboards painted on buildings on its Main Street.
Its also down the road from Springs Park, one of your very early filming locations. Jacob the Carpetbagger came out and we did a video together there.
The town was also featured in a move called the Price of Heaven starring George Wendt from Cheers.
That is so cool that you stopped there and documented that place. I first remember seeing it in the 1960's when my parents and I drove from New Hampshire to Florida. The signs intrigued me, but they didn't stop. My husband, son and I did stop there several times on road trips in the 1980's to 1990's. One time we even stayed in the motel that had waterbeds. There was also a heated indoor pool that our son loved. I got so excited when you showed the wiener dog. I have a picture of my son on it when he was about 6 years old. It was in front of a building back then. We also went up into the sombrero and it was cool. One night we drove a couple of exits down to eat at a Howard Johnsons. I SO miss those restaurants! Our most memorable time at South of the Border was in the late 1980's when we were driving from where we lived in Maryland down to Jacksonville, Florida where my husband's family lived. It started to snow in Virginia and traffic slowed down. It was still bad when we hit South of the Border and it was dark by then. We had reservations at the Days Inn on the other side of I-95 from SOB and as we were going down the exit several vehicles had slid off the embankment, including a car with a U-Haul trailer and an ambulance. When we were checking into the motel there was a young couple with a small boy trying to find a room, but there were none available. They told the clerk that they were military on their way to a new station in Florida and that was their car and U-Haul in the ditch. We had a room with 2 double beds, so we invited them to share our room. Our son, and the boy slept on blankets on the floor. We were stuck there for a couple of days due to the snow and the fact that they were using road graders to clear I95. That was quite an experience! I am sad that people don't stop at SOB much anymore. I guess people are in too much of a hurry to slow down and enjoy touristy places like that.
So nice of your family to do something like that. In this day and age you don’t see that much. I miss the old days.😢
Thanks so much for stopping here. It is a quirky, fun place to visit, which my friend and I did years ago on our way down 95 to WDW.
Been by here several times when I used to travel between Northern Virginia and Georgia. Thanks for the video!
A lot of the buildings were damaged by the huge flood we had and then followed by hurricane damage that came in a totally shut down the road from there to north Myrtle Beach. I'm glad they've taken down the worst of the buildings. Hopefully it is the first step in rebuilding.
Looks plastic to me to Adam, wasn't expecting to see all the reptiles, by the time you've done this road trip your tee shirt collection will of grown considerably lol, loved the vlog Thankyou Adam
And a good morning to you Adam.
I'm checking out the latest of your adventures.
I figure you are about to head out on another chilly day of Adventure.
Enjoy my state take it in.
God Bless and keep you safe.
When I was little & we traveled from Florida to New York every summer to visit my grandmother, we stayed at South of the Border every year. Thank you for showing what’s left of it! I can remember swimming in the pool. Thank you!
Yay it’s Adam! Thank you for stopping at South of the Border! I stopped once and was to scared to stop again! OLE! 🥳
🤣
Same here. I was terrified and never stopped again
Im intrigued as to why. Is it now a den of iniquity or something, are there robbers on every corner? Please tell me .
Back in 1971, our family moved from California to Georgia. I remember us taking a trip to the Smokies that summer & stopping at this place. We were SO excited to find a Mexican restaurant, as back then, they were almost non-existent in the southern states. Not even Taco Bell existed in that part of the country back then! Anyway, the Mexican food we got that day was AWFUL, & the Smokies, while beautiful, were nothing like the big tall western mountains we were used to! And it was still almost as hot & humid as it was where we lived in Georgia! Lol! We moved back to California a few years later, but I still have good memories from that day! Especially since both of my parents are now passed away. Great nostalgic video, Adam! I'm loving these vlogs, but still miss your Disney vlogs, as well. I hope someday you find a way to do both. 😊
California to Georgia talk about an adjustment never been to California lived in ga all my life
O
I live in Pigeon Forge. Whatever tackiness SOB has lost, we acquired it and then some. Come and get it anytime 🤪
@@getmeouttatennessee4473 why would you want to leave Tennessee 😕
Thanks for the memories, Adam. SOTB is legendary, although I've heard different viewpoints. This roadtrip is FANtastic. Safe travels...
🤠👏🤗
Love your videos Adam !
Wow Adam, You figure South of The Border is legend on the I-95 heading either to Florida or coming back!
😭😭 Now I know I'm old!! As a kid-leaving Florida for the summer and heading back to Pennsylvania-I looked forward to the plethera of signs "cool today-hot tamale" at SOB 10 miles....my parents had to stop. There was so much to see and do-awesome place for a child. Alas-I will add to my memory of drive in movie theatres and incredible "one of a kind" places along Route 66. Thanks Adam- nice to see a few things still remain (hot dog & drive under Pedro) used to have a petting zoo & little rides (merry go round & farris wheel) 😳😭😞
Noo noo it was "chili today-hot tamale" at South of the Boarder 👍
I know it might be a constant hassle for you to do, but curious folks like me always very much appreciate it when you give out the date of whatever video you're doing. It helps give some real perspective that enriches your general body of work. So please keep it up!
Thank you !
I grew up taking RV trips here with my grandparents. The amusement park was working in the 90s and I loved it as a kid. I love places like this!
We all need to plan trips to have time to stop at places like here around the country as it is important to keep them alive as it is special road side America
Hey Adam. SOB is a must do everytime we drive back and forth between FL and MD which is pretty often. Hope they fix it up. It was pretty cool back in the day. Now its more of a nostalgia thing. Safe travels
Really great video, as usual. I appreciate your videos a lot.
Blenheim Ginger Ale, a popular soft drink in the Carolina's, is made on site at South of the Border. Factory building is near the back of the campground area.
I love these random American roadside attractions 😆. Bet that was way colder than it came across on camera. 👍
Just listening to that the wind makes me want to bundle up. It sounds absolutely brutal!
Thank you Adam for the update on South of the boarder. Need to go back here soon. I somehow missed the animal exhibit.
This was great! Thanks for making the video, brings back memories. It's been a long time since I've stopped there. It's a must when traveling on I-95. It was pretty empty when I went as well.
It's really sad that everything has changed & nothings like it used to be😒
You’re brave getting coffee or any type of food from that place.
SOTB has been in various states of disrepair since I first visited in 1980, but it’s always looked run down.
Still interesting, though.
The coffee was great and fresh . Very nice employees
It is not as run down now. Definitely trying to "tidy" up the place.
I use to drive by there all the time in the 80s. I stopped in one time and made sure I never went back. It was awful back then.
@@toobad3029 yes it was..lol. I've been going by there since about 1970. It's had its highs and lows..more lows, but I think new owners now.
@@TheDailyWoo - Good to here. I can’t have anything happen to you. I’d miss you.
Oh my God I love this place, love that it is so kitschy!! Thank you so much for sharing, some of these places on the property I never even knew existed!!😊
Thanks Adam. I live in Columbia but have never spent any time at SOB. The kids and I are now planning a trip to do some shopping and get gas. Thank you you made it look like a fun place.
Nice to see the fireworks store is still there. Knew some people who went there in the early 1960's before the laws kicked in. You could get Cherry Bombs $6 a box. Silver tube salutes (M-80 type) for $7. Four-pound skyrockets. Almost everything was American made then, big fat and heavy. Great times.
My wife and I were just talking about South Of The Border yesterday. We were wondering if all the politically incorrect billboards were still up? LOL!
I remember the first time my family drove to FL in 1960 (I was 13) and reading all the billboards along the highway for miles and then finally seeing the place. Passed it many times since and actually stayed there back in about 1995. It was a wreck! But fun. Thanks for the memories :)
No, in 2021 they were changed to be nicer.
I grew up in Maryland. On the way to school every morning it was "only 350 more miles to Pedro's at south of the border". Never forget the bill boards every 10 miles on route 301.
We've stopped in there numerous times Adam. I'll look for the spark plug next time..cool video! DD98✌
Those small table and attached chairs are the same kind they used to have in the old Hardee’s locations.
We'll be stopping there tomorrow on the drive from NJ to FL. I'd rather stop at SOTB than overpriced, overhyped Disney World.
Oh…I love this place.
Haven’t been in years, but when traveling solo from NYC to Florida, I had the greatest room and the nicest evening ever there.
South of the a Border has always been a cool memory from road trips to Disney from Massachusetts since I was 8 years old and many other trips throughout my life. So cool to see Pedro still standing strong.
Nov. 4, 2021, at 12:03 p.m. HAMER, S.C. (AP) - South of the Border, a popular South Carolina tourist attraction, is receiving some upgrades. General Manager Timmy Townsend told The Sun News that three of the shops have been torn down to make room for new projects, and several others are being renovated.
Very happy to hear this. I hope whoever is building will take the time to make the stuff both unique and durable and visitors will be able to enjoy it for decades.
I loved seeing South of the Border. A really neat place! Reminded me of a Mexican weather report : CHILLI today & HOT TAMALI !
I've stayed in the main hotel several times from the 70s...the last time ring 2015. The rooms still had decor, furnishings and bedspreads from the late 70s/early 90s. It was very clean but old. It was like stepping back in time and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was raised in Johnston County NC our house was beside I-95. There was a big sign in a field very close to us advertising South of The Border, 101 miles. I had kin in SC and lived near Florence for 35 years and have been to and passed by SOTB many times in the past. I have not been that way in several years now but I am glad to see the place is still open. I enjoy your videos' keep them coming sir.
When I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s we would stop there on our way to Indiana and stop on our way back to Florida. That was was always busy back then, no matter what time of the day you went. We would make that drive twice a year, once during the summer and for Christmas. Kids today don't care about stopping at places like that because they have their Cellphones and gaming devices they would rather play with. I miss those days when families would get out on the road and travel to tourist traps lol
That last hurricane in 2018 flooded and damaged a lot of the structures so that may be why they were tore down?? Maybe too much money to repair so cheaper to tear down? A thought anyway….
I have visited that place all my life traveling to see family in Bishopville. I have never seen half of what you shared. Amazing!
Good vlog and thank you and keep up the good work you do love jari