South of the Border

by Kaylah Stroup

While in Georgia, Mickey and I decided to get road trip tattoos. We got matching peaches that ended up being even cuter than either of us had imagined. During our short visit to Anonymous Tattoo we told the artist all about our trip and how we were obsessed with silly roadside attractions. He asked if we had stopped at South of the Border and suggested if we hadn’t already stopped we make it a priority. We looked it up and decided to hit it on the way home since it would only take us a little bit out of the way.

It didn’t take long before we started seeing signs for South of the Border. I have literally never seen so many billboards for one thing in my life. I don’t even understand how they could possibly make enough money to cover the advertising costs. The closer we got the more there were and the more excited we grew.

South of the Border is a strange, strange place. There are over a dozen large animals, at least two restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a bunch of souvenir shops, a motel, and even an indoor reptile exhibit. It’s all so wildly colorful too!

According to their website “Our trademark has always been a value-oriented service ~ we provide a clean, safe & fun environment for travelers of all types to visit on their way to or from the southeast.” I’m not so sure about that. Mickey and I used one of the bathrooms while we were there. As we walked in the attendant scowled at us and then sat down in a rusty old chair. Needless to say, she didn’t get tipped.

It’s apparent the place seen better days. It’s a bit sketchy and I probably wouldn’t want to be there at night but it sure was awesome. Running around from animal to animal taking pictures was a blast. I’m not sure any roadside attraction could ever top this but you best believe I’m gonna look.
xoxo

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19 comments

bouncingbrunette February 25, 2014 - 1:44 pm

Looks like so much fun!

x Angela
http://www.bouncingbrunette.wordpress.com

Lostvestige February 25, 2014 - 1:56 pm

These would make killer postcards! Heck, I'd even hang them on my wall! These photos are amazing.

Dulce February 25, 2014 - 2:19 pm

Love them, the whale is my favorite, it looks like if it's smiling at you. You should come to Veracruz once, we had this awful children's park that people said is haunted, specially because is in front of the cemetery

Kathryn Curling February 25, 2014 - 2:23 pm

I'd be stoked if anyone sent me a jackalope ANYTHING haha. I love kooky little places like this… I think that's the best part of a road trip. =)

Jean Tralala February 25, 2014 - 2:36 pm

Ah, the colors <3

Rosie W February 25, 2014 - 4:15 pm

This place looks so cool, and crazy 🙂

Indy February 25, 2014 - 4:22 pm

I love that whale!

Jess February 25, 2014 - 4:30 pm

I love your pictures! I have such fun memories of going as a kid.

Melissa Torres February 25, 2014 - 6:58 pm

Very cool! I've passed by South of the Border tons of times on family car trips and have never stopped, definitely will have to next time!
SupaRadDinosaur

E.C. Anderson February 25, 2014 - 7:43 pm

Awww, looks so fun and definitely brings back memories. It doesn't look as big as I remember, but then again, I must have been 4 or 5 last time I was there.

Thanks for the nostalgia! They really do look like they could be post cards!

Elyse @ Cuddly as a Cactus

Kaitlin Robinson February 25, 2014 - 8:02 pm

Those colors are SO good. You should make some kind of awesome collage with these!

http://kateandstripes.blogspot.com

Marta Chan February 25, 2014 - 8:55 pm

Beautiful pics, love the colors. I wish the sky was blue 🙂 we dont have silly road side figurines like these, they are pretty funny

Jessica February 25, 2014 - 11:02 pm

LOVE !

Jess | Malt Memories.

Katy V February 25, 2014 - 11:47 pm

These are so cool!

Katzi Roman February 26, 2014 - 12:29 am

These are wonderful!! Now I really want to check it out!
I was thinking the same thing – they would make awesome postcards!

Anja February 26, 2014 - 3:43 am

Just awesome! And great pics, in addition to the b&w ones!

Alisa February 26, 2014 - 4:15 am

How was South of the Border? I've really been wanting to go visit but a lot of people give it a bad name.

Pips February 26, 2014 - 9:16 am

Love the pics!

Elif Onay February 26, 2014 - 12:46 pm

This place is less creepier in color! I thought the black and white photos gave it a creepy look especially on the gorillas but looking at these I could see it as an extremely fun place to look at! 🙂

http://chamomiledealer.blogspot.com.tr/

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