So, you're hitting up I-95, one of America's oldest highways, and wanna know what to do and see along the way. You've come to the right place, my friend! I-95 is the main highway that travels up and down the East Coast of America, pretty parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, so you're never really too far away from the beach on an I-95 road trip. Some of the major cities you'll pass through include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Miami. Ready to hit the road? Here's some of the top attractions to see along I-95, from Florida to Maine.
For a fun little side trip off I-95, head to Cumberland Island National Seashore. The only way to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore is to hop on the ferry at St. Marys. While there's nowhere to buy food or supplies on the island (pack accordingly), you'll find campsites, hiking trails, and wild horses roaming around!
While in the Peach State, visit the Smallest Church in America (or so it claims), in South Newport. Built in 1949, this is a great little roadside stop, and a good place to stretch your legs before heading to Savannah, Georgia. It's also an adorable photo op, so snap a pic or two.
Savannah is one of America's most gorgeous cities. It's off the highway and seems like it's covered in Spanish moss as far as the eye can see. There are plenty of great places to eat and drink, and the downtown is also one of the largest historic downtowns in America. If you're 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 America's most beautiful historic graveyards).
Some nice hotels in Savannah include the Hamilton-Turner Inn, Ballastone Inn and The Gastonian.
If you have time to visit Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, you should definitely make the quick detour from Savannah. Tybee is a beautiful island, and a it's very popular destination for Midwesterners to road trip to during the summer months.
There are a few famous people buried at Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery, but the real appeal is the beauty of the cemetery itself. It's full of graceful old trees covered in Spanish moss, and many of the gravestones are works of art themselves. Just remember this is still a functioning cemetery and some of the visitors are there to grieve, so keep it respectful.
You're not in Georgia too long while traveling on I-95, so without further ado, we come to South Carolina! Make your first stop the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. This amazing museum is housed in a massive former textile mill, and features four floors with over 70,000 exhibits. There are some nice hotels in Columbia as well if you need to catch some Z's: Victorian Elegance Inn, Murrayfield and the Hilton Columbia Center are among the many places to book a room.
Then, for something completely different, travel just under an hour to the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman. Built in 1994, this structure quickly became a popular tourist attraction in the town. The 42-foot-wide flying saucer is built out of wood, fiberglass, and plastic, and for a small fee, you can meet the owner and peek inside.
Stretch your legs at Santee State Park, which has an abundance of catfish in its waters. In addition to fishing, there's also plenty of hiking and camping is offered. You can also drive a little longer to the equally-awesome Woods Bay State Park.
After about an hour of driving, you'll reach South Of The Border, which is perhaps I-95's most iconic kitschy tourist destination. It's a very weird roadside theme park that's suuuper cheesy, but the kids will probably have a blast. Plus, you've undoubtedly seen the signs for South of the Border for about 2-3 hours, so it's worth pulling over just to see what all the buzz is about.
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. This is a fantastic military history museum. It's beautifully laid out and features loads of exhibits chronicling the fascinating achievements made over the years in regards to airborne and special operations.
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.
Just before leaving North Carolina, check out the U.S. Army Women's Museum in Fort Lee. You could easily spend a few hours exploring the exhibits here, which chronicle the often-overlooked roles and importance of women in in the U.S. Army.
While in Virginia's state capital, you can check out a 54-acre public park called Belle Isle. In order to access Belle Isle, you have to park and walk under a bridge. There's a pedestrian bridge that takes you underneath the highway. It's a bit of a hike so be sure to pack towels and plenty of water, but it's worth it for the views alone.
The Berkeley Hotel, the Jefferson Hotel and Linden Row Inn are some of the best hotels in Richmond!
Once you reach Virginia, head over to Richmond to visit the historic Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This is a perfect place for families, or for anyone who loves botanical gardens and butterfly exhibits. It's kid-friendly and there's a cool splash pad for hot days (so bring a bathing suit), and picnic tables.
Next, hit up Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. It's one of the best memorial parks around commemorating the Civil War. There's loads to do in Fredericksburg as well, if you're a history buff. You can see the Mary Washington House, the Kirkland Monument and grab a delicious coffee at Hyperion Espresso in downtown Fredericksburg.
Next up along I-95 is the beautiful state of Maryland! There's a pretty trippy statue at National Harbor in Maryland called The Awakening. It looks like a massive giant is trying to come out of the ground. Very cool photo op.
Baltimore, your next stop on I-95, is a great place to immerse yourself in culture. There's the American Visionary Art Museum and the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum. There are a couple other museums dedicated to the melancholy author in various other states, as he moved around a bit, but this is his Baltimore home.
At the Tattoo Museum you can learn about the art of tattooing and even walk away with a tattoo of your own! The artists here are highly respected and the museum/shop also does piercings as well, if that's more your speed.
The Sonesta, Grammercy Mansion and the Wayside Inn Bed and Breakfast are among the cozy hotels you'll find in Baltimore.
95 ends at the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing, and the road continues on into Canada, where you can cross the border into New Brunswick. And there you have it! Pat yourself on the back, because you just visited all of the major attractions along I-95!
