17 Best Roadside Attractions Along I-95
- 2 days ago
- 14 min read
If you've ever driven I-95 from top to bottom, you know the truth. Long stretches of nothing. Then a billboard. Then another. Then a 200-foot sombrero appears on the horizon.
That's America's east coast highway. It's 1,924 miles of surprises hiding between the boring parts. And the best roadside attractions along I-95 are the reason you should stop treating this drive like a race.
The highway passes through 15 states and cities like Jacksonville, Savannah, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. But the real gems are at the exits nobody talks about. A wind-powered sculpture park in North Carolina. A castle built from coral by a heartbroken man. A 58-foot blue bug on a rooftop in Rhode Island.
All 17 stops below are organized south to north, so you can pick the ones closest to your route.
Key Takeaways
The best roadside attractions along I-95 range from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the kitschy South of the Border in South Carolina to Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in North Carolina, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, and Portland Head Light in Maine. Most are minutes from the highway, many are free, and all give you a real reason to pull off and make a memory.
Attraction | State | Detour Time | Cost | Best For |
Kennedy Space Center | FL | 30 min | ~$75 | Families, space fans |
Butterfly World | FL | 15 min | ~$35 | Photos, nature lovers |
Coral Castle | FL | 10 min | ~$18 | History, curiosity |
Smallest Church in America | GA | 2 min | Free | Quick photo stop |
South of the Border | SC | 0 min (Exit 1) | Free to enter | Everyone, kitsch lovers |
Congaree National Park | SC | 45 min | Free | Nature, hiking |
Whirligig Park | NC | 5 min | Free | Art, families |
Howell Woods | NC | 15 min | Free | Nature, wildlife |
Pee Dee State Farmers Market | SC | 5 min | Free | Local food, gifts |
Kings Dominion | VA | 0 min (Exit 98) | ~$45–$80 | Thrill seekers, families |
Colonial Williamsburg | VA | 30 min | ~$45+ | History buffs |
World's Largest Lightbulb | NJ | 10 min | ~$5 | Quick quirky stop |
Six Flags Great Adventure | NJ | 20 min | ~$50–$80 | Families, coaster fans |
Mystic Aquarium | CT | 10 min | ~$40 | Families, marine life |
Canobie Lake Park | NH | 25 min | ~$49–$59 | Families, nostalgia |
Big Blue Bug | RI | 0 min (visible from highway) | Free | Drive-by fun |
Portland Head Light | ME | 20 min | Free | Photos, lighthouse fans |
What Makes I-95 the Ultimate Road Trip Highway
Interstate 95 is the longest north-south interstate in the country. It connects Miami to the Canadian border in Maine and carries more vehicle miles each year than any road in the U.S.
But here's what matters to you: between the big cities, I-95 is full of weird, wonderful places to stop that most people fly right past. Giant statues. Hidden forests. Museums that cost less than a coffee.
Traffic can be brutal near D.C., New York, and Philadelphia. Tolls add up — budget at least $50–$100 for the full route. But the things to see between the traffic jams are what turn a long drive into an actual road trip.
Why Roadside Stops Make a Long Drive Worth It
Driving eight hours straight is miserable. Your back hurts. Your eyes glaze over. You start arguing about gas station snacks.
Even a 15-minute break at someplace unexpected — a tiny church, a spinning sculpture, a lighthouse on a cliff — wakes you up and gives you something to talk about.
The stops along this list are a mix. Some take five minutes. Some take a full day. But every one gives you a better memory than the inside of your windshield.
How to Plan Your Stops Along the I-95 Corridor
You don't have to drive the whole thing. Pick a section — Florida, the Carolina's, the Mid-Atlantic, or New England — and you'll still find plenty to do. For the full route, plan 7 to 10 days with two to four stops a day.
A few things to keep in mind:
Gas stations thin out in rural South Carolina's lowcountry, I-95 in North Carolina, and northern Maine. Keep your tank above a quarter.
EV charging is spotty in the rural Southeast. Plan stops carefully.
Apps like iExit, GasBuddy, and Waze help you find services at each exit.
Pass through New York, D.C., and Philly outside rush hour if you can.
17 Best Roadside Attractions Along I-95 From Florida to Maine
I-95 stretches nearly 2,000 miles along the East Coast, passing through 15 states and some of the most historically rich landscapes in America. Most travelers treat it as a means to an end — eyes on the GPS, counting down the miles.
But tucked just off the exits are forgotten battlefields, quirky roadside landmarks, coastal towns frozen in time, and stories most drivers never hear about. Here are 17 stops worth pulling over for.
Kennedy Space Center — Titusville, FL
You can see the Vehicle Assembly Building from miles away. It's that big. And what's inside the visitor complex is even better.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
The Kennedy Space Center is the kind of place that makes you forget you were ever bored in a car. You'll stand inches from the Space Shuttle Atlantis, tour real launch pads by bus, and try astronaut simulators. If your timing lines up, you might even see a live rocket launch. It's a full-day attraction, but it earns every minute.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Near Titusville, FL — about a 30-minute detour from I-95
Hours: Open daily, typically 9 AM–6 PM (varies by season)
Cost: ~$75 adults, ~$65 children
Time needed: Full day
Worth it or skip it? Absolutely worth it for families, space fans, and anyone who wants a must-see stop they'll remember for years.
Butterfly World — Coconut Creek, FL
Twenty thousand butterflies. All flying around you at once. Some will land on your shoulder if you stand still long enough.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park on the planet, tucked inside a public park near Fort Lauderdale. You walk through screened-in aviaries surrounded by color — bright blue morphos, giant swallowtails, tiny sulphurs. It's calm, beautiful, and completely different from anything else on this list.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Coconut Creek, FL — about 15 minutes from I-95
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday 11 AM–5 PM
Cost: ~$35 adults, ~$25 children
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you love nature or need a peaceful break — great for photos, young kids, and anyone starting an I-95 from NYC trip heading south.
Coral Castle — Homestead, FL
One man. Over 1,100 tons of coral rock. No machines. No help. Nobody knows exactly how he did it.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Edward Leedskalnin started building Coral Castle in 1923 after his fiancée left him. He spent 28 years carving and moving massive coral stones — some weighing 30 tons — completely alone, mostly at night. Engineers still argue about how it was possible. The place is genuinely fascinating to see in person.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Homestead, FL — about 10 minutes from I-95, south of Miami
Hours: Open daily, 9 AM–6 PM (Sunday 10 AM–6 PM)
Cost: ~$18 adults, ~$8 children
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you like mysteries and historic sites — skip it if you're in a hurry, because it's south of Miami and adds time.
The Smallest Church in America — South Newport, GA
It seats 12 people. Maybe. If nobody breathes too deeply.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
This tiny chapel near Darien, Georgia, has been sitting by the road since 1949. You pull over, peek inside, take a photo, and get back on the road. It's exactly the kind of random find that makes a roadside attraction memorable. Close to Savannah too, so you can pair it with a bigger stop.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: South Newport, GA — right off US-17, minutes from I-95
Hours: Always open
Cost: Free
Time needed: 5–10 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it as a quick photo op and a chance to stretch your legs.
Wayback Tours makes it easy to find hidden gems like these — the kind of places along I-95 you'd never discover on your own.
South of the Border — Hamer, SC
You'll see the billboards 100 miles before you get there. About 175 of them. "You never sausage a place!" "Chili today, hot tamale!" Then a giant sombrero rises above the trees.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
South of the Border started as a beer stand in 1950, right at the North Carolina state line. It grew into the most famous roadside stop on the East Coast — a Mexican-themed complex with a 200-foot Sombrero Tower, a 104-foot Pedro statue, the largest indoor reptile display in the U.S., souvenir shops, and restaurants. Is it kitschy? Absolutely. But nearly everyone who has driven I-95 through the Southeast has a memory of this place.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: I-95 Exit 1, Hamer, SC — right on the highway
Hours: Open 24/7 (individual shops and restaurants vary)
Cost: Free to walk around; Sombrero Tower elevator $2
Time needed: 20 minutes to 2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for the experience and the photos — it's an I-95 rite of passage, especially if you're traveling with kids.
Congaree National Park — Hopkins, SC
Most people don't even know South Carolina has a national park. That's exactly why you should go.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Congaree protects one of the last old-growth floodplain forests in the Southeast. You'll walk through towering trees on a raised boardwalk trail above the swampy forest floor. In late May and early June, thousands of fireflies flash in perfect unison — a natural light show you won't find at any theme park. As national parks go, this one is seriously underrated.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Hopkins, SC — about 45 minutes from I-95
Hours: Park open 24/7; visitor center hours vary
Cost: Free
Time needed: 2–4 hours (or overnight camping)
Worth it or skip it? Absolutely worth the detour if you love nature — and the price (free) makes it hard to beat.
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park — Wilson, NC
Giant metal sculptures that spin, shimmer, and tower over 50 feet in the air. Built from junkyard scraps by one folk artist in a small North Carolina town.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Vollis Simpson spent decades building massive wind-powered whirligigs from salvaged road signs, bicycle wheels, and scrap metal. They're displayed in a dedicated park in downtown Wilson, and they're unlike anything you've seen. During the day, they spin in the breeze. At night, they're lit up like something from a dream. Some of Simpson's work has been shown at the Smithsonian — but you can see it all for free, right off I-95. The park is near Fayetteville and makes a perfect stop through I-95 in North Carolina.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Downtown Wilson, NC — about 5 minutes from I-95
Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk (lit at night)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Worth it or skip it? A must-stop. It's free, fast, and one of the most unique attractions along I-95.
Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center — Four Oaks, NC
A 2,800-acre nature area bigger than most state parks. And almost nobody has heard of it.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Howell Woods has 15-plus hiking trails, live bird-of-prey demos, reptile exhibits, and options for canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding. Donated in 1993 as an outdoor classroom, it still feels like a well-kept secret.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Four Oaks, NC — about 15 minutes from I-95 near the I-40 junction
Hours: Vary by season; check Johnston Community College website
Cost: Free or very low cost
Time needed: 1–3 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you want to trade highway noise for birdsong — a hidden gem for families and nature lovers.
Pee Dee State Farmers Market — Florence, SC
Fresh peaches in summer. Boiled peanuts by the bag. The kind of local food you can't find at a rest stop.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
The Pee Dee State Farmers Market is one of South Carolina's best spots for local produce, homemade goods, and Southern snacks. Load up on fresh fruit, local honey, and roadside-worthy treats. It's a welcome change from gas station food and a perfect quick farmers market stop.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Florence, SC — minutes from I-95
Hours: Open daily, but best selection mornings
Cost: Free to browse; pay for what you buy
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for anyone who appreciates local food and wants a quick, low-key stop.
Kings Dominion — Doswell, VA
You'll see the roller coasters from the highway before you even take the exit. That's how close this park is to I-95.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Kings Dominion is a full-scale theme park right off Exit 98, about 20 minutes north of Richmond. It has major coasters — including Intimidator 305 — plus a water park and kids' areas. For an I-95 road trip with the family, it's one of the most convenient amusement park stops anywhere. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in nearby Richmond is worth a visit if you'd rather do something quieter.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Doswell, VA — I-95 Exit 98
Hours: Seasonal, typically April–October
Cost: ~$45–$80 (book online for best pricing)
Time needed: Full day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for thrill seekers and families with older kids — skip it if your crew prefers quieter stops.
Colonial Williamsburg — Williamsburg, VA
Blacksmiths. Wigmakers. Town criers. All of them pretending it's 1775. And somehow, it works.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest living-history museum, covering over 300 acres. Actors in period costumes re-create daily life during the American Revolution. George Washington stayed here. Thomas Jefferson studied here. It's a historic site that makes the past feel alive — and one of the best places to stop along I-95 if you care about American history. You could call it a national monument to the birth of a country.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Williamsburg, VA — about 30 minutes east of I-95 via I-64
Hours: Open daily, hours vary by season
Cost: ~$45+ for full access
Time needed: Full day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for history lovers and families — plan a full day to really soak it in.
World's Largest Lightbulb — Edison, NJ
A 14-foot lightbulb on top of a tower. At night, it glows. It's exactly as weird as it sounds.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park marks the exact spot where Edison developed the practical incandescent lightbulb. The giant bulb on top is impossible to miss, and the small museum is worth the $5 entry. An easy stop if you're driving along interstate 95 through New Jersey.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Edison, NJ — about 10 minutes off the NJ Turnpike/I-95
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
Cost: ~$5
Time needed: 15–30 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for a quick, quirky stop — especially fun for curious kids.
Six Flags Great Adventure — Jackson, NJ
The world's tallest roller coaster is here. So is a drive-through safari with giraffes. Both in the same park.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Six Flags Great Adventure has 70-plus rides, including Kingda Ka at 456 feet tall. But the Wild Safari is what sets it apart — a drive-through animal park with over 1,200 animals from six continents. Giraffes, elephants, and rhinos from your car window. For a road trip heading south from the Northeast, it's one of the most fun detours you can make.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Jackson, NJ — about 20 miles from I-95/NJ Turnpike via I-195
Hours: Seasonal, typically spring through fall
Cost: ~$50–$80+ (book online)
Time needed: Full day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for coaster fans and families — the safari alone makes it stand out.
Mystic Aquarium — Mystic, CT
Beluga whales. Right there, swimming past you behind the glass. Most people don't expect to find this along the I-95.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Mystic Aquarium is one of only two places in the U.S. where you can see beluga whales. Add in penguins, seals, touch pools, and jellyfish exhibits, and you've got a world-class marine attraction easy to reach from the highway. The town of Mystic is charming on its own — grab a slice at Mystic Pizza (yes, from the movie) and walk the boardwalk area along the waterfront.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Mystic, CT — near I-95 Exit 90
Hours: Open daily, 10 AM–5 PM
Cost: ~$40 adults, ~$30 children
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families and marine life fans — the beluga whales make it unforgettable.
Canobie Lake Park — Salem, NH
This park opened in 1902 as a trolley stop. Stephen King used it as inspiration for a novel. It's still running.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Canobie Lake Park is one of only 13 trolley parks still operating in the U.S. It has over 85 rides, including the Yankee Cannonball — a 1936 wooden coaster — plus water rides, a dark ride called Mine of Lost Souls, and old-school carnival charm. Three local families still run the place.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Salem, NH — about 25 minutes from I-95 via I-93
Hours: Seasonal, May–October, 10:30 AM–7 PM (later on weekends)
Cost: ~$49–$59
Time needed: Half day to full day
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for families and nostalgia lovers — a charming alternative to mega-parks.
Big Blue Bug — Providence, RI
A 58-foot blue termite. On a roof. Wearing a Santa hat at Christmas. You can't make this stuff up.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Nibbles Woodaway — yes, that's his official name — sits on top of a pest control building right along I-95. He's been there since 1980, named by a local kid in a contest. He gets seasonal outfits — sunglasses in summer, a Santa hat in winter. You'll spot him from the highway in two seconds.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Providence, RI — visible directly from I-95
Hours: Always visible
Cost: Free (drive-by)
Time needed: 0 minutes (you see it from the road)
Worth it or skip it? You don't even have to stop — but it'll make everyone in the car smile.
Portland Head Light — Cape Elizabeth, ME
George Washington ordered this lighthouse built. It was first lit in 1791. And it still looks incredible.
Why this stop is worth pulling off the highway:
Portland Head Light sits on the rocky cliffs of Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. It's one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country, and the grounds are free, open year-round, with easy walking trails along the coast. Think of it as the Liberty Bell of New England lighthouses — it's that iconic.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Cape Elizabeth, ME — about 20 minutes from I-95 via I-295
Hours: Grounds open sunrise to sunset daily; museum seasonal
Cost: Free (museum has small fee)
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Absolutely worth it — a beautiful, free stop that's the perfect way to end an I-95 drive through New England.
Tips for a Smooth I-95 Road Trip
Tolls add up. Budget $50 to $100+ for the full drive. Get an E-ZPass before you leave.
Eat like a local. Grab barbecue in the Carolinas, cheesesteaks in Philly, crab cakes near the Chesapeake
Bay in Maryland, and lobster rolls in Maine. These are not suggestions. They're requirements.
Watch the season. Theme parks close in winter. Fall foliage in New England is beautiful but packed. Summer traffic near New York and D.C. can double your drive time.
Stay safe. Deer are common in Maine, New Hampshire, and rural Virginia at dawn and dusk. Take breaks every two hours.
Conclusion
Most people treat I-95 like a problem to solve. Get on. Drive fast. Get off. But the highway that runs the stretch of America's East Coast has too many good stops to ignore.
You don't need all 17. Pick three or four that fit your route. A spinning sculpture here. A 200-foot sombrero there. A lighthouse at sunset. That's all it takes to turn a boring drive into the kind of trip you actually remember.
The best roadside attractions along I-95 are waiting. You just have to exit.
Ready to plan the kind of road trip that actually feels like an adventure? Wayback Tours helps you find the stops, build the route, and make every mile count. Start planning your I-95 trip today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive the full length of I-95?
Without stopping, about 28 to 30 hours. Most travelers spread it across 4 to 10 days with stops along the way.
Is I-95 safe to drive at night?
Most sections are well-lit, but rural areas in the Carolinas and northern Maine can be very dark. Watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk.
What is the best time of year to drive I-95?
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer mild weather, lighter traffic, and beautiful scenery. Summer is peak season with heavier traffic.
Are there free rest areas along I-95?
Yes, most states have free rest areas and welcome centers with restrooms and travel info. Spacing varies, so don't rely on finding one exactly when needed.
Can I drive I-95 with an electric vehicle?
You can, but plan charging stops carefully. Cities have good EV infrastructure, but rural South Carolina, North Carolina, and northern Maine still have gaps.
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