Heading out of North Carolina, we began to notice a change in the roadside attraction landscapes. We didn’t think it was possible, but South Carolina seems to have even stranger things on offer!

Want to know what we found? Read on to find out…

1. UFO Welcome Center: Bowman, South Carolina

A warm welcome is given not just to the aliens, but also to those strangely interested visitors to the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, South Carolina.

The owner of this wacky attraction, Jody Pendarvis, has been awaiting the arrival of non-human beings since 1994 and insists that his attempt at a UFO will be a welcoming environment for aliens to get to know the human kind.

2. Button King Museum: Bishopville, South Carolina

Is there a cure for insomnia? While there may not be a definitive answer, one man has certainly made the most of this tiring condition, turning his time into a lifelong obsession with buttons.

From button suits, to button cars, Dalton Stevens has it covered…quite literally. The Button King Museum showcases a man’s lifework and offers quite a sight to look at.

3. South of the Border: Dillon, South Carolina

The South of the Border Tourist Complex is guarded by the very lovable Pedro, shaded from the harsh Mexican sun by an imposing sombrero. Pedro is a sign of what you can expect as you head further south…so basically every stereotypical embodiment of Mexico.

However, the kids seem to love this kind of thing, so either avoid this stretch of highway like the plague, or be prepared to make a roadside stop to scramble through the endless buckets of cheap novelties, all in the aim of bagging a bargain.

4. Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village: Sheldon, South Carolina

Regarded as a whole other country in its own right, the Kingdom of Oyotunji is a relatively uncrowded African Village that can be found right in the heart of Sheldon, South Carolina.

Home to several bizarre concrete monuments, and well, not much else, this African village does provide an interesting day out for the family, if nothing else.

-Chrissy

Know of any other South Carolina attractions that are just plain weird. Comment us below to tell us more!

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North Carolina is a state that is growing fast, and the roadside attractions on offer here are following suite and multiplying as well. With this increase in numbers comes more attractions contesting for the title of “World’s Biggest”, while come are just content to remain just plain strange.

So come along for the ride as we uncover some of the biggest and strangest things on offer in the great state of North Carolina.

1. World’s Largest Chest of Drawers: High Point, North Carolina

High Point has taken the lead in the “world’s biggest furniture” battle, boasting two giant chests of drawers. The largest of these stands at an impressive 80-foot tall, dwarfing its little sister on the other side of town, which comes complete with socks and all.

2. World’s Largest 10 Commandments: Murphy, North Carolina

Never before has the presence of God felt so big than at North Carolina’s World’s Largest 10 Commandments.

This 300-foot tableau rests on the side of a mountain in one of the state’s most obscure western corners, and is accompanied by a Prayer Mountain and a replica tomb of Jesus, from which you can roll the stone away, literally.

3. Shell Shaped Gas Station: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem’s shell-shaped gas station is the last of its kind and stands proud on the roadside just a little north of Interstate 40.

This clamshell structure has been preserved and given a whole new burst of life with a fresh coat of paint making it the ideal background for a tourist photograph.

4. World’s Oldest Coffee Pot: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Coffee is something very close to the hearts of many Americans so it should come as no surprise that many towns across the states have put these feelings into large tin structures.

Old Salem is home to the oldest of these, boasting a shiny metal vessel that has been standing proud since 1860. Pose for a photo with the 12-foot shiny metal structure, if only to prove you’ve been to the world’s oldest coffee pot.

5. Belhaven Memorial Museum: Belhaven, North Carolina

If the sight of some of the things in this museum isn’t enough to make you sick to the stomach, you may very well have a stomach of steel!

The Belhaven Memorial Museum houses the knick knacks of a 92 year old woman who didn’t have the heart to throw anything away. And when we say, anything, we mean EVRYTHING.

From one-eyed fetal pigs and two-headed kittens, to stuffed snakes and 30-year-old jars of chicken fat, this museum gives a whole new meaning to the word wacky!

-Chrissy

Been to North Carolina lately and discovered any other strange things. Let us know about them in the comments below.

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Georgia is a fantastic place to visit for those who can’t manage to get to the “real” attractions…and I mean this in the most affectionate way possible. Georgia is a state that takes its nationalism and patriotism seriously. It is also a state that is hung up on “big attractions” and strange roadside attractions that never seem to fail at attracting the oddest of visitors.

So come on a Jurnii with us as we venture towards the coast through the surprising state of Georgia.

1. Lunchbox Museum: Columbus, Georgia

Inspired by the lunchtime memories of the years before the 1980’s, the Lunchbox Museum offers an extensive collection of America’s most beloved lunchtime metal pales.

The boxes have strategically been placed in alphabetical order allowing visitors to embark on a journey through their favorite cartoon covered pales, or to simply skip to the one that they loved the most.

From Adam 12 to Yoda, this museum seemingly has it all.

2. Babyland General Hospital: Cleveland, Georgia

For anyone born around the 1980’s, a journey to the Babyland General Hospital of Cleveland will bring back the fondest memories and introduce new ones to the next generation’s culture.

Cleveland is the birth town of the Cabbage Patch Kids, and the Babyland hospital here pays tribute to this phenomenon like no other institution could.

See the birth of these iconic dolls and experience the opportunity to nurture them into this world and even take one home with you.

3. Little Grand Canyon of Georgia: Lumpkin, Georgia

The Grand Canyon of Arizona is a place every true American should visit at least once in a lifetime. However, if you can’t manage to make it to the real thing, the Little Grand Canyon of Georgia shall nicely suffice.

Now we’re not claiming that it is anywhere close to being as remarkable, spectacular and awe-inspiring as the real thing, yet it is still aesthetically pleasing in its own right.

The area covers a total area of 1,108 acres and boasts an impressive 15 canyons, but sadly only reaches 1/30^th of the depth of the true Grand Canyon.

4. Statue of Liberty Replica: McRae, Georgia

Once again, this attraction is ideal for those who can’t actually make it to the real thing.

Constructed entirely just by looking at photographs of the New York version, this replica of the Statue of Liberty is scaled to 1/12 of the actual Miss Liberty and is particularly beautiful at night under the carefully placed glowing lights.

5. The Georgia Guidestones: Nuberg, Georgia

Regarded as southern America’s answer to Stonehenge, the Georgia Guidestones may not be quite as visually breathtaking, but they do inspire some sense of awe.

Standing strong since 1930, the granite formations stand an impressive 19-foot tall each and are engraved with messages in a total of eight different languages.

Nobody really seems to know what they mean and why they are there, but nevertheless, they are still quite a fascinating attraction to visit if you can’t get to the real thing.

-Chrissy

Are you a fan of replicas and know of any more that can be found in Georgia? Tell us about them in the comments below.

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