Every state in the U.S. has a certain amount of weird but harmless Americana. South Carolina, however, seems to have more than its share. (A cynic might even say the whole place is one big ball of kitsch.) The state’s eccentric, throwback personality is reflected in its plethora of unselfconscious, quirky attractions.
While a separate volume could be devoted to the state’s entire roster, here’s a list of the oddball attractions, beginning with the King Daddy of them all, South of the Border in the Midlands.
Intersection of I-95 and Highway 301/501, Dillon
843/774-2411
www.thesouthoftheborder.com [2]
Daily 24 hours, free
145 Broad Acres Dr., Bishopville
Daily dawn–dusk, donations accepted
55 Joe Dority Rd., Bishopville
Free
464 Dovesville Hwy., Darlington
888/277-7815
Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 2–9 p.m., Wed. 6–8 p.m. Sept.–Nov., $7 adults, $6 children, under 4 free
The south side of U.S. 17 heading into Charleston, near the 900 block.
Intersection of U.S. 501 and Cox Ferry Road, Conway
Admission is free; donations accepted
56 Bryant Ln., Sheldon
843/846-8900
www.oyotunjiafricanvillage.org [12]
Hours vary
Healing Springs Rd., Blackville
Daily dawn–dusk, free
5822 Columbia Hwy., Monetta
803/685-7949
www.thebigmo.com [13]
Mar.–Nov., $7 adults, $3 children, 3 and under free
Just off I-85 near Gaffney
www.gbpw.com/peachoid.aspx [14]
7 miles north of Walhalla on Hwy 28
864/638-4343
www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html [15]
Daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m., free
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/columbia-and-the-midlands/the-pee-dee/south-the-border
[2] http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/columbia-and-the-midlands/the-pee-dee/bishopville/pearl-fryar-s-topiary-garden
[4] http://www.fryarstopiaries.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/columbia-and-the-midlands/the-pee-dee/bishopville/button-king-museum
[6] http://www.scbuttonking.com
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/columbia-and-the-midlands/the-pee-dee/darlington/pim-s-maze
[8] http://www.cornfieldmaze.com
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/charleston-savannah/charleston/sights/west-ashley/the-coburg-cow
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/myrtle-beach-and-the-grand-strand/points-inland/conway/sights
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/south-carolina/beaufort-and-the-lowcountry/beaufort/outside-beaufort/oyotunji-village
[12] http://www.oyotunjiafricanvillage.org
[13] http://www.thebigmo.com
[14] http://www.gbpw.com/peachoid.aspx
[15] http://www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html