# Roadside attractions, DC to Outer Banks **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182 "2015-04-21T13:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/1 "2015-04-21T13:40:25Z")
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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/2 "2015-04-21T13:57:03Z")
Can’t name any specifically, but you’ll find every goddam one in the country listed at [www.roadsideamerica.com](http://www.roadsideamerica.com). They list exactly the sort of thing you’re interested in: big, goofy, dumb roadside attractions. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/3 "2015-04-21T14:03:13Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/4 "2015-04-21T16:50:51Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Can’t name any specifically, but you’ll find every goddam one in the country listed at [www.roadsideamerica.com](http://www.roadsideamerica.com). They list exactly the sort of thing you’re interested in: big, goofy, dumb roadside attractions. Nice. World’s Oldest Edible Ham, I’ll be seeing you soon… ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/5 "2015-04-21T17:55:54Z")
When the highlight of a drive is the Great Dismal Swamp, you know it’s rather desolate. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/6 "2015-04-21T18:11:04Z")
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/](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. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/7 "2015-04-21T18:14:09Z")
I came in (too late) to suggest [RoadsideAmerica.com](http://RoadsideAmerica.com). Just plug in the names of the towns or states you’ll be going through: > **[Roadside America - Guide to Uniquely Odd Tourist Attractions](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/)** > > Home Page for Roadside America, travel tools and guide to unusual attractions, tourist traps, weird vacations, and road trips. For instance, here’s the Outer Banks Futuro House in Frisco, NC: > **[Frisco, NC - Frisco Futuro House (Gone)](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6808)** > > Visit reports, news, maps, directions and info on Frisco Futuro House in Frisco, North Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/8 "2015-04-21T18:18:13Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > 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/](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 grew up in NYC and we’d drive to Florida many summers in the 50s. Always had to stop @ South of the Border. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/9 "2015-04-21T18:27:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > 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/](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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/10 "2015-04-21T18:28:02Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > I grew up in NYC and we’d drive to Florida many summers in the 50s. Always had to stop @ South of the Border. 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). ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/11 "2015-04-21T19:34:08Z")
From the roadside america link: > [@](#): > > World’s Largest Replica of the World’s Largest Lighthouse - the new champ > > Located on the West Bank of East Lake (on the other side of East Lake from the town of East Lake - which is located on the east bank of East Lake) is the New “World’s Largest Replica of the World’s Largest Lighthouse.” The World’s Largest Brick Lighthouse, located at Cape Hatteras, NC is 208 feet tall and sports the black and white “barber-pole” paint job (lighthouses were painted - except for one at Corolla left brick colored - along the coast of NC so sailors could determine where along the coast they were by seeing the lighthouses during the day). North Carolinians are proud of their lighthouses and stubby tributes can be found around the state My favorite South of the Border sign: “Best Kept Secret on I-95” ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/12 "2015-04-21T23:01:46Z")
I’ve driven from DC to Avon NC every Fall since 1980. I’ll be back shortly to give you my suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/13 "2015-04-21T23:25:40Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > 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/](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. > [@GaryM](#): > > I grew up in NYC and we’d drive to Florida many summers in the 50s. Always had to stop @ South of the Border. > [@madmonk28](#): > > 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). > [@tim-n-va](#): > > From the roadside america link: > > My favorite South of the Border sign: “Best Kept Secret on I-95” 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. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/14 "2015-04-21T23:32:46Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Anyone know of any good roadside attractions on the way? The bigger, goofier, and dumber the better. 🙂 Is a life-size replica of Stonehenge made from foam big, goofy, and dumb enough? Cause if so, [Foamhenge](http://www.thefoamhenge.com/) is the place for you. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/15 "2015-04-21T23:35:05Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > It’s the Border Station as you leave VA going into NC. As you leave NC going into SC, unless my memory is playing tricks on me. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/16 "2015-04-21T23:35:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/17 "2015-04-22T00:35:22Z")
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](http://www.nauticus.org/visitor-info/index) ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/18 "2015-04-22T02:22:32Z")
I believe Stonewall Jackson’s arm is buried just off of I-95. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/19 "2015-04-22T03:26:50Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > 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. You’re right. It must have been our trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach and I assume it’s really, really racist. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182/20 "2015-04-22T04:27:14Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roadside-attractions-dc-to-outer-banks/718182.md?page=2)