South Carolina Roadside Attractions

From the quirky to the visually stunning, South Carolina is full of wonders worth pulling over for as you're driving through the state. Here's a peek at roadside attractions you and your family won't soon forget!

Campbell's Covered Bridge, Landrum

Stretch your legs a bit and explore the beauty and charm of the only remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. Built in 1909, Campbell's Covered Bridge is 38-feet long and spans Beaverdam Creek. It is surrounded by a 17-acre park where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. Dip your toes in the trickling water, then go investigate the old grist mill and home site.

Nostalgic Filling Station, Laurens

Take a step back in time with a trip to the Nostalgic Filling Station, a 1930s-era restored gas station. While you can't fill your tank, the monthly classic car cruise-ins and displays of collectibles and memorabilia - old soda bottles, vintage post cards, Elvis and Betty Boop-themed art, die cast classic cars and more - will fill you with a sense of nostalgia. It is also a popular backdrop for retro pics, so bring your camera.  

World's Smallest Police Station, Ridgeway

The historic town of Ridgeway is home to the World's Smallest Police Station, which served as a tiny hub of town law enforcement from 1940-1990. Prior to that, it was the site of the town well. Fun fact: The diminutive police department was an official rest stop for the Centennial Olympic Torch Relay in June 2006. 

Stumphouse Tunnel, Walhalla

Stumphouse Tunnel, part of a railroad line intended to connect Charleston and the Midwest, was left unfinished due to the outbreak of the Civil War and a lack of funding. When several efforts to restart construction failed, the 1,600-foot tunnel was abandoned. Today, visitors can walk a portion of the tunnel, which measures 17-feet wide by 25-feet high. A 60-foot airshaft to the surface creates a cool breeze that consistently flows out of the tunnel. 

South of the Border, Hamer

For more than half a century, South of the Border has been a flashy, irresistible draw for I-95 travelers either entering or departing South Carolina. Stop in and tour the Reptile Lagoon, the largest indoor reptile exhibit in the country. You also can catch a 360-degree view of the Carolina countryside from the top of Sombrero Tower. Grab a bite and snag a souvenir from onsite restaurants and shops, or refresh with an overnight at the motor inn or campground. 

The Peachoid, Gaffney

You can't drive I-85 toward Atlanta without stopping at the Peachoid in Gaffney. For years the, um, butt of jokes from passersby and pretty much everyone else, it was famously featured in the Netflix series "House of Cards." Stop and take a selfie, hashtag #discoversc. You'll be glad you did.

Edisto Island Serpentarium, Edisto Island

Enter the wild at Edisto Island Serpentarium, an entertaining and educational stop for the reptile-curious. It features a large, indoor solarium with snakes from around the world and an outdoor space full of natural, low-walled habitats for alligators, turtles and more. Locals Ted and Heyward Clamp designed the attractions to reflect their five decades of snake-hunting adventures.