In late July my wife and I are going to drive down to spend a week in Outer Banks with her family. We’re not planning to be in any hurry to get there so we’re flexible on the route we take.
Anyone know of any good roadside attractions on the way? The bigger, goofier, and dumber the better. 
Can’t name any specifically, but you’ll find every goddam one in the country listed at www.roadsideamerica.com. They list exactly the sort of thing you’re interested in: big, goofy, dumb roadside attractions.
If you’ve got plenty of time, try taking US 50 to the Eastern Shore and following the coast down. Sights: Annapolis, MD (US Naval Academy, St. John’s College, Chincoteague/Assateague).
Nice. World’s Oldest Edible Ham, I’ll be seeing you soon…
When the highlight of a drive is the Great Dismal Swamp, you know it’s rather desolate.
The classic has to be South of the Border, you’ll start seeing signs for it and then " Back Up Amigo! You Missed it." http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/
When I was a kid we would drive from northern VA to the Outerbanks ever summer and every summer parents refused to stop at South of the Border, so it’s always had this forbidden fruit exoticism for me. It’s probably just a tourist trap.
I came in (too late) to suggest RoadsideAmerica.com. Just plug in the names of the towns or states you’ll be going through:
For instance, here’s the Outer Banks Futuro House in Frisco, NC:
I grew up in NYC and we’d drive to Florida many summers in the 50s. Always had to stop @ South of the Border.
Looks like it’s on the border of North and South Carolina. A few hundred miles out of the way, but hey, I may be feeling particularly silly that day. There’s something strangely appealing about a place named “Pedroland.” I’m guessing there’s more than a little overt racism going on there, but hey, it’s on the border of North and South Carolina, that’s pretty much to be expected.
South of the Border and the CAT fireworks stand are my most vivid memories of summers as a kid and I wasn’t allowed to stop at either (I should probably be telling that to a therapist, not you good people).
From the roadside america link:
My favorite South of the Border sign: “Best Kept Secret on I-95”
I’ve driven from DC to Avon NC every Fall since 1980. I’ll be back shortly to give you my suggestions.
HERE’S THE PROBLEM----
There is no such place on the OP’s trip. It’s the Border Station as you leave VA going into NC. It is the cheapest gas you will get from there on down for your trip. It is a tacky tourist location. Get gas, keep moving.
Is a life-size replica of Stonehenge made from foam big, goofy, and dumb enough?
Cause if so, Foamhenge is the place for you.
As you leave NC going into SC, unless my memory is playing tricks on me.
The suggested out of the way route - Rt 50 to Rt 13 south to the Bay Bridge / Tunnel will get you past Wallops Island which is becoming a more important spaceport than ever and worth a visit.
Plus you avoid the hellish I95 backups.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel is an engineering marvel-divided roadways on separate bridges, except for the two underchannel tunnels-there’s a fishing pier off the mid-bay restaurant/gift shop.
The Nauticus Maritime Museum, with Hampton Roads Naval Museum, with the Battleship USS Wisconsin BB 64 in Downtown Norfolk http://www.nauticus.org/visitor-info/index
I believe Stonewall Jackson’s arm is buried just off of I-95.
You’re right. It must have been our trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach and I assume it’s really, really racist.
Frankly I would be disappointed if it weren’t.