Explore the Iconic South of the Border!

"Great pit stop on our way to Florida. Good for the whole family. South of the Border (SOTB) began in 1949 as Alan Schafer's beer stand in Hamer, SC, catering to North Carolinians from "dry" counties, and grew into a massive, kitschy, Mexican-themed roadside attraction just south of the NC/SC border, featuring fireworks, shops, restaurants, a motel, and Pedro the mascot, booming with the construction of I-95 nearby in the 1960s, becoming a nostalgic landmark for travelers for decades. Origins & Name 1949: Beer distributor Alan Schafer built a small beer depot in Hamer, SC, a few miles south of the state line, where alcohol sales were restricted in North Carolina's Robeson County. Name Inspiration: Construction materials were once labeled "Schafer project: south of the border," inspiring the business's name. Growth & Expansion Early Additions: Schafer quickly added a grill, gas station, and motel rooms. I-95 Boom (1960s): The route for I-95 passing by SOTB was a major catalyst, turning it into a massive complex with hundreds of rooms, multiple restaurants (like the Sombrero Restaurant), shops, a campground, and fireworks sales. Pedro: The iconic mascot, Pedro, and his giant sombrero tower became symbols of the attraction, appearing on billboards for miles. Features Mexican Theme: Faux-Mexican theme with bright colors, statues, and souvenirs. Attractions: Included a reptile park, amusement park rides, mini-golf, go-karts, and a 100-foot tower. Services: Gas, lodging, food, and extensive gift shops, especially for fireworks. Enduring Legacy Despite changing travel trends, SOTB remains a famous, if polarizing, piece of Americana, attracting curious travelers and those seeking nostalgic stops on their journey between the Northeast and Florida. It's known for its vibrant billboards, quirky atmosphere, and status as a classic roadside relic."

"I stopped at South of the Border around 4:00 AM while towing a boat on a trailer along I-95. The whole place looked absolutely surreal in the dark – bright neon signs, huge Pedro statues, colorful buildings and funny animals everywhere. It really feels like an old-school American road trip stop, the kind you see in movies. The parking lot was wide open and well lit, and it was easy to maneuver and park even with a long truck and trailer. Because of the time, everything was closed – shops, attractions and even the restrooms. That was the only real downside of my visit. When you’re traveling at night you really hope at least the bathrooms will be open, especially at a place this big. So if you arrive here in the very early morning hours, be prepared that it might only be good for fuel and photos. On the positive side, it was perfectly quiet and safe, and I had time to walk around a bit and take lots of pictures of the lights and statues without any crowds or traffic. For people who love quirky roadside attractions, the atmosphere is fantastic, even when nothing is open. I’m planning to come back during the day with my family to see the inside attractions, the shops and the reptile exhibits. Overall, South of the Border is a fun and unique stop on I-95, but nighttime visitors should not expect services like restrooms to be available. For daytime road-trippers and families it looks like a great place to stretch your legs, grab a snack and make some memories. **I recommend it.**"

"Loved visiting South Of The Border as a child and taking my own children when the were growing up. So much has changed over the years with it. Alot of it is closed and it's deteriorating. I heard part of it is up for sale now. Hardly any fireworks for sale, salt water taffy not there and so many other things gone. We were there on December 30, 2025 and I was able to get some photos."

"Stopped early in the morning. Plenty of parking and places to walk your dog. Nice walkway over the highway. The gift shops have everything you can think of. Unfortunately the 2 women at the gift shop next to the restaurant were extremely rude. Never acknowledged me just continued to talk to eachother. She scanned my items, I paid and they never looked at me or spoke to me. I understand it was Thanksgiving and they had to work, but no need to be rude. The young woman across the street was very nice."