About South of the Border
South of the Border begins long before a driver actually reaches it. For generations, roadside signs along Interstate 95 have counted down the miles to a sprawling complex of neon, giant figures, shops, food, motel rooms, attractions, and architecture that seems deliberately allergic to restraint.
The most visible structure is the Sombrero Observation Tower. It rises more than two hundred feet and uses a glass elevator to carry visitors upward for a view over the surrounding property and highway. On the ground, oversized roadside sculptures and intensely colorful buildings continue the visual assault.
The complex also includes Reptile Lagoon, which South of the Border promotes as the largest indoor reptile display in the United States, along with an arcade and other attractions. Some parts of the property operate on different schedules, so arriving does not guarantee that every feature will be open.
South of the Border has survived for nearly seven decades by embracing exactly the kind of oversized roadside spectacle newer highway development usually eliminates. Current attraction hours should be checked on the official website before visiting.