10 of the Weirdest South Carolina Roadside Attractions Worth Stopping For

Posted by James May 5, 2025
10 of the Weirdest South Carolina Roadside Attractions Worth Stopping For
Here are 10 of the weirdest and most interesting roadside attractions in South Carolina worth stopping for:
  1. Silver Springs Filling Station (Landrum) A replica of an old Esso gas station complete with a Wayne gravity pump and outhouse, evoking nostalgia for the 1930s era.
  2. The Last Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken Restaurant (Hartsville) The last remaining location of a once-popular South Carolina chain, still selling “pic-a-nic” baskets.
  3. Gaffney Peachoid (Gaffney) The world’s largest peach-shaped water tower, standing 135 feet tall and holding a million gallons of water. It symbolizes South Carolina’s peach industry and was famously featured in the Netflix series “House of Cards”.
  4. Busted Plug Plaza (Columbia) – Permanently Closed Once home to the world’s largest fire hydrant, said to be tornado-proof.
  5. UFO Welcome Center (Bowman) A quirky, handmade attraction featuring two stacked UFOs and a wobbly metal fence, constructed from scrap metal and wood. It’s a fun stop for those interested in extraterrestrial themes.
  6. South of the Border (Hamer) A kitschy, Tijuana-style roadside attraction on I-95 with a large indoor reptile exhibit called Reptile Lagoon, a 360-degree Sombrero Tower observation deck, restaurants, shops, and even a motocross training center.
  7. Neverbust Chain (Columbia) A giant steel chain linking two buildings, installed without permission but beloved by locals.
  8. Campbell’s Covered Bridge (Landrum) The only remaining covered bridge in South Carolina, built in 1909, located in a 17-acre park with a creek and picnic area.
  9. World’s Smallest Police Station (Ridgeway) A tiny police station that operated from 1940 to 1990, originally the town well site and an official rest stop for the 2006 Olympic Torch Relay.
  10. Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden (Bishopville) A unique garden featuring whimsical, intricately sculpted shrubs and trees, showcasing extraordinary topiary artistry and creativity.
These attractions offer a mix of history, kitsch, art, and oddity that make for memorable stops on a road trip through South Carolina. Sources:
  1. https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/south-carolina/roadside-attractions
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PW1DwwvXXA
  3. https://www.superiormotorskia.com/blogs/1401/odd-roadside-attractions-south-carolina/
  4. https://discoversouthcarolina.com/hidden-gems