Since I-95 travels up and down the entire East Coast, it passes by some of our country's oldest and most culture-filled cities. Charleston, SC and Baltimore, MD are two of these awesome destinations. Plus, along the way, you'll drive through North Carolina and Virginia, which are both equally incredible destinations! Plan plenty of time for the trip, because even though it takes less than 10 hours, there's so much to see and do that it might take an extra day or two!
Driving on an empty stomach simply won't do, and since you're in Charleston, kick off your day with a feast of low-country classics like she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, chicken biscuits, catfish creole, fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, and more. Sure, you might need a nap afterwards, and you'll be so stuffed you'll have trouble moving, but it'll be worth it. Trust me.
Are you a glutton for punishment, or just a foodie? Either way, you'll need lunch at some point, and Sweatman's BBQ is just the place to stop. They serve up deliciously smoked ribs, chicken and pork, plus slaw, beans, and mac and cheese in a 100-year-old farmhouse. Their all-you-can-eat buffet is a great deal, or you can just order a sandwich and top it with one of their sauces. Oh, and save room for banana pudding!
Note: They're only open on weekends.
If you're looking for a place to stay the night, enjoy the Southern charm at this Ambrias Garden Manor. The guestrooms are luxuriously furnished in beautiful antiques, but let's be honest... you'll either be enjoying sweet tea on the porch swing, strolling around the camellia-studded gardens, or cuddled up by the fireplace in the parlor for most of your stay here.
If you're looking for a place to grab lunch or a snack, stop by Pee Dee Farmer's Market. Pick up some fresh peaches or cherries to snack on in the car, grab lunch at one of the restaurants set up here, or buy some locally made preserves as a souvenir. There's always something going on here, and it's a real taste of authentic South Carolina.
If roadside kitsch is more your speed, then you won't want to miss stopping at South of the Border. First started as a beer stand that was south of the border of a dry county in North Carolina (get it?) it eventually blossomed into a Mexican-themed tourist attraction loaded with shops, restaurants, even a motel, a campground, and a small theme park. It's not the same as it was during its glory days in the 60s, but if you're all about classic roadside attractions and vintage weirdness, this place has it in spades.
You're in the Carolinas, so don't miss out on any chance to enjoy their legendary BBQ. The best barbecue joints are often tucked away in small towns, like Fuller's Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q in Lumberton, NC. It's served buffet-style, and you'll find offerings like fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, fried fish, pulled pork, cornbread, turnips, hush puppies, collards, okra, banana pudding... the list goes on and on. Come with an appetite!
If you're a fan of old Hollywood glamour, then a stop at the Ava Gardner Museum is a must. The story of how Ava went from being a co-ed in a small town in North Carolina to being one of the most beloved leading ladies of the 1950s and 1960s is pretty incredible, and her life as a starlet was fascinating: she was married to Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra, starred in many movies, and mingled with Hollywood's elite. The museum tells her life story through artifacts, clothes, costumes, and more!
If you're looking for a more relaxing stop, head to Hinnant Family Vineyards. They specialize in sweet and semi-sweet wines but offer some semi-dry vinos as well. Sample a few, then grab a bottle to split on the patio while you enjoy the view of the rolling vineyards. They offer snacks and a little gift shop as well in their cozy tasting room, so it's a nice place to find a souvenir to remember your trip by.
Spend the night in the historic city of Richmond, VA at one of their most opulent spots: the Jefferson Hotel. The 19th century grand hotel's lobby is jaw-droppingly beautiful (the staircase inspired "Gone With The Wind" author Margaret Mitchell") and the rooms, which have been recently updated, have all the amenities you could ever want or need. It's truly an experience! Even if you don't stay the night here, get afternoon tea or their Sunday champagne brunch just to get a taste of the beauty of this institution.
Sally Bell's Kitchen might not be as elegant as the Jefferson, but it's no less iconic to Richmond. Pick up some of their famous boxed lunches for the road: you'll get a sandwich (they offer old-school classics like pimento cheese, corned beef, cream cheese, chicken salad, and turkey, but since you're in Virginia, try the Smithfield ham and cheese), a side (their macaroni and potato salad are excellent) and a dessert from their legendary bakery.
When you reach Baltimore, celebrate with a drink (they have cocktails with fresh-squeezed juice and make a mean bloody Mary) on the deck at Nick's Fish House. Enjoy views of the Patapsco River as you eat clams, oysters, crab legs, shrimp, mussels, and, of course, some crab cakes (you're in Maryland, after all!)
No matter what two cities you're traveling between along I-95, remember to plan some stops along the way and make the entire trip into an adventure!
