Tired of the same old attractions? There’s only so many times you can stop to see a famous monument or historical building before growing bored. Instead of letting ennui set in, transform your next South Carolina road trip by stopping at one more of these odd and unusual sights you won’t find anywhere else.
UFO Welcome Center
Are you an alien visiting Earth from a foreign planet? If so, feel free to stop at the UFO Welcome Center to get a reprieve from the traffic jams of space. Ordinary humans are welcome to visit the site as well, although don’t raise your expectations too much. This strange pit stop is patched together with pieces of metal, scrap wood, and other various parts to create a truly out-of-this-world hodgepodge.
The first thing you’ll notice here is the two UFOs stacked on top of one another, surrounded in the front by a wobbly looking metal fence. Spray painted across this fence is the telltale name, “UFO Welcome Center.” This location is definitely a spot you can’t miss, even if you just want to photograph the wacky construction. Just put 4004 Homestead Road in Bowman on your itinerary.
Peachoid Water Tower
If you’re seeking something a bit more down-to-earth, why not try visiting the Peachoid Water Tower? Fans of the hit show “House of Cards” will recognize this iconic water tower, which is in the shape of a giant peach. The one-of-a-kind water storage tank was crafted in 1980 by artist Peter Freudenberg. He developed the beautifully painted texture of the peach after studying the look and feel of local peaches for untold hours.
The reason for crafting the giant peach was not just to create a fun roadside attraction. Rather, the town of Gaffney wanted to make it known that South Carolina is the biggest peach producer in the South, not Georgia. Find this large piece of fruit on Peachoid Road, just off the north side of I-85 between exits 90 and 92.
Thelma and Louise
While they might not be aliens or giant pieces of fruit, Thelma and Louise are still worth a stop. Named after the famous outlaw duo, these two life-sized elephant statues proudly stand at the entrance of Papa Joe’s Fireworks. One is a standard gray color, while the other shines brightly in pale pink. To keep them looking like new, they are regularly repainted, so chances are they’ll be photo-worthy for your visit.
The elephants were originally from Alabama, but Papa Joe knew they would look good in front of his store, so he bought and shipped them all the way to Hardeeville, South Carolina. If you’d like to check them out for yourself, just type 15966 Whyte Hardee Blvd. into your GPS.
It should come as no surprise that South Carolina is filled with odd and fascinating stops. Whether you’re taking a road trip to one of South Carolina’s fine destinations or just passing through, take some time off the beaten path to explore these curiosities.
Image by Bruce Tuten via CC BY 2.0
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