text-decoration: underline Holiday road trip season is here and it comes with the seasonal migration up and down Interstate 95, the longest north-south intestate in the country and Americas most-traveled highway in terms of distances driven. Built in 1994, this structure quickly became a popular tourist attraction. Forsyth Park They have a large selection of taps and cans if youd like to grab something to go. Which exit do I need to Cary, NC? A series of historic buildings await elsewhere in Roanoke Rapids, including the original Roanoke Rapids High School. It's interesting to note that the top five rest stops are clustered around two locations. I-240; I-26; I-277; I-40; I-440; I-485; I-540; I-73; I-74; I-77; I-795; I-85; I-95; . It's called Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. You won't be disappointed with a quick trip and it's worth visiting basically any time of year. Thanks Panchopup. Interstate 95. On a quiet corner of Bellevue Avenue, the Hotel Viking is a four-pearl option in Newport. But if youre like us, you could use a break or two during that long journey. For public courses, Cape Fear National, just off 17 one of many good choices. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-66768747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Myrtle Beach. If youre just driving through, but want to get a quick taste of Savannah, head over to Forsyth Park for a walk around this iconic and drop-dead gorgeous public park, and then visit Bonaventure Cemetery (one of Americas most beautiful historic graveyards). You'll find many nice hotels in Columbia, as well. 10 Stops You Can't Miss on Your I-95 Road Trip. } Dont forget to check out our favorite restaurants in Rocky Mount when youre there, okay? Interstate 96. Either way, this northeast Florida destination is filled with lavish Spanish-style mansions and artifacts of a complicated colonial history. } Spanish conquistador Pedro Menndez de Avils founded the coastal city in 1565, and pirates later invaded it. You've come to the right place, my friend! Some of the major cities you'll pass through include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Miami. Unless you want to make a serious detour and go to Asheville or somewhere in the NC mountains. New Haven Lighthouse .inside-article{ The entire hotel was remodeled in 2015 to include a stylish bar and restaurant, plus chic glass fireplaces on the outdoor terrace. Oyster Bay Refuge makes a great stop for fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and . About a mile off the highway in downtown Smithfield, the Chicken Barn has served up piping hot chicken for decades. Once you cross the border to North Carolina, you can pull over for a couple hours (or more) at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. Its a daylong celebration that celebrates cotton, with food, crafts, cotton gin tours, and more! And if youre worried about water conservation, fear not! Stretch your legs at Santee State Park, which has an abundance of catfish in the waters of Lake Marion. Sweatmans serves its pork with a secret mustard sauce. Bonus: From Exit 119, you can head east toward Greenville (great spot for food and additional beer for passengers! Savannah is one of America's most gorgeous cities. Just 3 short miles north of Wilmington, Delaware is Brandywine Creek State Park. There's a pretty trippy statue at National Harbor in Maryland called The Awakening. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Weve compiled some of the best local options along I-95, all no more than a short drive from the interstate. Mystic Seaport Upstate New York or Northern New . padding-left: 10px; The artists here are highly respected and the museum/shop also does piercings as well, if that's more your speed. 14.6 Miles. Open in Google Maps. You can see gold, gem-studded jewelry, old coins, and more. Thats a nice spot for swimming, fishing, and hanging out by the water. Or, if you're more into Bigfoots than B-52 Bombers, a couple hours north is the Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum in Littleton, where you can learn all about (totally real) creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. Now motels that are directly off the interstate stay the hell away there's a guaranteed crack party going on in at least one room, hookers strolling looking for johns, mentally unwell people just roaming around and they may be already drunk or on something. Our Hotel Pick: Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square. Any suggestions? Loyalists will drive out of their way to get to this little country restaurant, but if you're already traveling I-95, it makes for an easy stop. And there you have it! North Carolina Tourism North Carolina Hotels North Carolina Bed and Breakfast . After about an hour of driving, you'll reach South Of The Border, which is perhaps I-95's most iconic kitschy tourist destination. South Beach Presumably they'd like a nice meal and you're sure to find better pickings in Wilmington than you will in Lumberton, which is a pretty miserable town. UFO Welcome Center Just remember this is still a functioning cemetery and some of the visitors are there to grieve, so keep it respectful. If you're feeling up for a bit more climbing, stop at St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, and ascend to the top of this 165-foot tall tower. Interstate 64. I-95 Road Trip: Getting started. This is also literally the central point of the aquarium; its a 200,000-gallon cylindrical tank that simulates a Caribbean coral reef. There are also exhibits here covering the countrys maritime history, and a gift shop. But, if you can only do one thing, then definitely visit the Breakers; it's like America's version of Downton Abbey. You can also stretch your legs walking or running along the Tar River Trail from Sunset Park. 2) Cracker Barrel, On the North side of Richmond. . Afterwards, if you have time for a little detour, Gillette Castle State Park is just off I-95 and exploring it feels like you're walking around the ruins of a Medieval fortress. The Morris House Hotel, the Franklin Hotel, and the Warwick Hotel are all comfy. The doors were opened to the public on May 5, 1980 as Truckland Truckstop. There are a few famous people buried at Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery, but the real appeal is the beauty of the cemetery itself. Foodies also visit Savannah for the traditional and innovative takes on Southern cooking, which can be found in restaurants like Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, Cotton & Rye, and Nairobis Grits & Gravy. Pricing for Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square. They drain the water back into the aquifer and allow it to go back through the natural ground-filter process. The Breakers At the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary you can wander along trails featuring various wildlife habitats, and all sorts of different native animals, including eagles, panthers, crocodiles, snakes, and more. The artists here are highly respected and the museum/shop also does piercings as well, if thats more your speed. If you're looking for a hotel in St. Augustine, the St. George Inn, the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, and Casa Monica are exceptional options. Near each place, there are at least a few attractions worth extending your time off the busy interstate. A roadside attraction taking 30-120 minutes, no more than 15 minutes off I-95, and is not a zoo/wildlife refuge etc . If you want to drive along America's East Coast, chances are you'll motor on I-95 for a good portion of it. While in the Peach State, visit the Smallest Church in America (or so it claims), in South Newport. Whatever's your speed. You might like to stop at Wilber's bbq in Goldsboro for lunch. Theres also a small museum onsite. Small fenced in area. It won't be long before you find yourself in Boston! Don't use RV slots. If you get hungry, pull over at Mystic Seaport and head to Mystic Pizza (theres also an 80s movie based on this townand the pizza joint!) Once you hit Maine, youve reached the last stretch of I-95, but with over 300 miles of road in this state alone, youve still got several hours to go before you reach the terminus. From Titusville, it's just a short drive to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S., founded in 1565. I am looking for a safe area right off 95 in pretty much any city. Stretch your legs at Santee State Park, which has an abundance of catfish in its waters. As many of the online reviews state, David Trulucks Fish and BBQ isnt much to look at, but it serves some of the best fried seafood, deviled crabs, and Southern sides close to Timmonsville stretch of I-26. The Ultimate Guide to the Must-See Attractions Along I-95, Start Your Iowa Adventure in the Capital of the Hawkeye State, Road Trip Along the Oregon Trail: A Journey Through History, The Great Northern: An Epic Cross-Country Trip, The Ultimate Guide to Mesa Verde National Park, Offbeat Trip Guide to Weird Stuff in Savannah, Georgia. But, the view is absolutely worth it. Its full of graceful old trees covered in Spanish moss, and many of the gravestones are works of art themselves. Some towns and cities may be reachable by additional I-95 exits in North Carolina. Richmond to Wilmington to Myrtle gets 5hrs and 17min (336 miles). It has 70 rooms, large chandeliers, and an abundance of gilt. Looking for Romantic Getaway suggestions. In the evening, the tours are self-guided, so if you know your history already, you can avoid the crowds. 2. Visit Website. The only way to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore is to hop on the ferry at St. Marys. North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ), US Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, The NC Museum of History in Raleigh (+7 Things We Love About It! . The drive between Lumberton and Florence is pretty miserable. This amazing museum is housed in a massive former textile mill, and features four floors with over 70,000 exhibits. It's a rest stop with gas stations, a motel, a campsite, restaurants, souvenir and fireworks stores, even a small amusement park. A post shared by Wilson Visitors Center (@wilson_visitorscenter). 480 N Brooks St, Manning, SC 29102. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. text-decoration: none This would be somewhat longer but worthwhile, I think, especially if you give yourself a little time in Wilmington. Wendy/Flickr. Providence has some nice hotels as well: the Christopher Dodge House and the Hilton Providence are great places to crash for the night. 1) Cracker Barrel, Dumfries VA. A few miles off the highway in one of North Carolinas most historic towns, the Hen & The Hog is perfect for road-weary travelers in search of a slightly more elevated meal. I think I got detoured while looking for Embassy Suites. Lumberton is known as the midway point between New York and Florida, which is a good hint to stop if you havent yet! Interstate 126: Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia SC. Were family friendly, bilingual, and have the best tacos. Along the way, youll learn about the Battleship New Jerseys role in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Stop by the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton, Massachusetts. @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { Once you reach Virginia, head over to Richmond to visit the historic Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Pick a a pretty popular and mid to upscale hotel at least a few miles off of 95 and you should be fine. You'll find one of the best preserved historic districts in the nation, not to mention great restaurants and bars. Thats why we created this guide, with a focus on 10 towns and cities that sit off of I-95. The green beans and hash and rice make for good pairings with the smoky ribs. I believe it's a Petro Stopping Center. Beefmastor is such a Wilson institution that, for some folks, it is the road trip destination. Many folks know our license plates that read First in Flight but some folks opt for the First in Freedom variety, which leads to a fun fact and reason you should stop at one of the I-95 exits in the historic town of Halifax. With a little bit of planning, and a willingness to drive a few more minutes away from the exit, your fast food road trip nightmares can be replaced with dreams of comfort food, local joints, and Southern institutions serving up more than just a burger and fries. The Peachoid is painted to match the kind of peaches grown in Cherokee County. There are some good places to stay in that area. more. The 42-foot-wide flying saucer is built out of wood, fiberglass, and plastic. Pat yourself on the back, because you just visited all of the major attractions along I-95! Running almost parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, you're never far from the beach on this drive between Florida and Maine. .generate-back-to-top, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrifty_Car_Rental"] The Black Codes, sometimes called the Black Laws, were laws which governed the conduct of African Americans (free and freed blacks). I am looking for a safe area right off 95 in pretty much any city. padding-right: 10px !important; Mexican. "url":"https://www.thrifty.com/images/ThriftyHeaderLogo.gif", If you get hungry, pull over at Mystic Seaport and head to Mystic Pizza (there's also an 80s movie based on this townand the pizza joint!)