A new article rates South of the Border in Dillon, SC as one of the Top Ten Kitschiest Roadside Attracitons in America. We are often called “America’s #1 Roadside Attraction” and we are very pleased to see that a few travel writers are beginning to agree with what millions of East Coast tourists have known for years That South of the Border is one of them most fun diversions along your travels of any attraction in the U.S.
Travel and Leisure Magazine’s list of the Kitschiest Roadside Attraction has South of the Border comig in at #8. This article says “If the Three Amigos had their own theme park, it might resemble South of the Border.” and that sounds like a good description to us. Thanks to writer Jessica Su and all at the magazine. SOuuth of the Border welcomes you all back anytime, along with our millions of other faithful visitors.
Sombrero Tower
I LOVE south of the border! Its been a few years and I really need to go again! Travel and Leisure is correct – you have to stop there!
In a flash of extreme nostalgia I typed “South of the Border – Carolina – Highway” in a search engine hoping that you would still be around… and lo and behold: you are still there! I have very happy memories from your place, it was an “oasis” indeed. Kids just LOVE kitch. I must have been around four, when my parents stopped for the first time at “South of the Border” ca. 1961. Pecan rolls, funny ouvenirs, postcards, baskets full of colorful cheap toys and gadgets (I still regret that plastic back-scratcher my mom didn’t want to buy me). My dad used to frequently tour the Southern states to promote French tourist destinations in the local media in the 1960s and always took the family with him in the station-wagon. When we saw “South of the Border” appear on the left-hand side, going South, it was always to us like the gateway to our dear South Carolina and the rest of the states of the deep South. Stopping there again, on the return trip, was a consolation as we were sadly on our way back North. It was a joy to see that the place was still standing, unchanged in 1977, when I returned as a young adult. I hope to stop over and visit, once again, some time soon. (PS: why can’t you find such delicious tasting pecan rolls in the South any more? Are they made in China now, that they taste so differently? I hope you still have some good ol’ old fashion-tastin’ ones left, like before).
We lived in Georgia from 1962 until 1970 and traveled to New Jersey several times. I never remember seeing South Of the Border on our travels. Our four little Girls would probably have gotten a kick out of the place.
You realize that’s a backhanded compliment, since the term “kitsch” means tasteless and tacky. People who refer to SOB as kitschy are usually snobs with no sense of humor. Personally, I think SOB is awesome, a one of a kind piece of American culture.
kitsch-”Art, decorative objects and other forms of representation of questionable artistic or aesthetic value” Pedro has enough of a sense of humor to realize a 200ft tall brightly colored, neon lit Sombrero Tower soaring over the lovely Carolina countryside could be considered a questionable artistic choice. :)
We are pretty sure the article is all in good fun, and Pedro has been all about fun for over 60 years. Thanks for stopping by our website and we hope you can visit us i person soon!