United States of America Tourist Trap Tips by b1bob Top 5 Page for this destination

Stadium Cuisine

Sport stadiums and arenas often serve at least fair to middling cuisine at stadium restaurants and/or concession stands. The trouble is, vending contracts with the owners of the stadium or arena often allow them to charge confiscatory prices. For example, at Richmond's Diamond (where the minor league Richmond Braves play), a simple soft drink costs $3.50. Folks, that dog won't hunt. The drink had better be gold-plated for me to spend that much. If that isn't enough to curdle your nacho cheese, part of the agreement between the stadiums and the concessionaires prohibits folks from bringing large containers into the stadium so you can't smuggle in your own food. This captive audience phenomenon enables them to gouge the public. The last time I went to the Diamond, the drinking fountains were also disabled to hoodswankle folks to the concession stands.

Unique Suggestions: A little strategic preplanning (see below) should keep you from having to pay the confiscatory prices.

Fun Alternatives: There are a couple of ways you can get around this. First, eat a big meal at home before you go or at a restaurant near your local stadium or arena. Second, have a tailgate party in the parking lot a couple of hours before the sport event begins.

Money exchanges are rare

Trying to find a money exchange in this country is a bigger challenge than many foreign visitors might be used to. The best thing to do is probably to either get travelers cheques from American Express in U.S. dollars (you can have them replaced if lost or stolen) before you leave home. Most banks can change from foreign currency into U.S. currency. It is just very rarely advertised. Changing from U.S. to other currencies is typically only able to be done at main branches in larger cites though. I also believe that MOST American Express travel locations can change currency.

South of the Border

South of the Border is the quintessential American tourist trap. Located just south of the North Carolina-South Carolina line, this collection of gaudy restaurants, shops, and even 300 motel rooms, takes the "South of the Border" theme to the hilt. It is garish by my standards (my easy chair is orange) during the day, you should see it lit up at night. Furthermore, it is advertised by billboard as far away as Florida! The one thing I like about it is that its Mexican caricatures are unapologetically politically incorrect in an age where some folks mistakenly believe in a right never to be offended.

address:
3346 US Highway 301 & I-95
Dillon, South Carolina 29536

telephone:
(843) 774-3544