King Neptune
Morehead City, NC Photo courtesy Tony Craig
If you're wandering the Morehead City waterfront, keep an eye out for King Neptune standing watch over the docks. Crown, trident, flowing white beard and all, he's become one of the area's most recognizable roadside photo stops. 01-05
The colorful sea king stands outside the Olympus Dive Center, a fitting location in a town known for its boating, fishing, and world-class diving. From the front he almost appears to be standing on the dock, but walk around behind him and you'll discover his giant blue merman tail rising through the boards.
No one seems to agree exactly where King Neptune originally came from, and that's part of his charm. Local stories have followed the statue for years, giving him a bit of mystery along with his larger-than-life personality.
UPDATE: King Neptune continues greeting visitors along the Morehead City waterfront and remains a favorite stop for photos. 08-26
Georgia Peanuts
Ashburn, GA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Driving Interstate 75 through south Georgia, it's hard to miss the giant Georgia Peanuts monument towering above Ashburn. Wearing a bright crown proclaiming "Georgia 1st in Peanuts," it's the kind of roadside landmark that practically begs for a quick photo stop. 06-06
The World's Largest Peanut Monument was erected in 1975 as a tribute to Turner County's peanut industry, helping reinforce the area's claim as the "Peanut Capital of the World." Standing about 40 feet tall, the oversized peanut has become a familiar sight for generations of travelers and one of Georgia's best-known roadside icons.
The landmark even survived a disaster of its own. Hurricane Michael toppled and destroyed the original fiberglass peanut in 2018, leaving only the brick base behind. Local residents weren't about to let their famous roadside attraction disappear, and after a community fundraising effort, a stronger stainless steel replacement was built and returned to its pedestal in 2023, complete with a new illuminated crown.
Whether you're headed to Florida or just passing through south Georgia, it's worth taking the exit. After all, you can't claim to have seen the World's Largest Peanut if you only drove past it.
UPDATE: The rebuilt peanut continues welcoming travelers along Interstate 75 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. 08-26
Big Peach (Gone)
Byron, GA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
If you were driving Interstate 75 through central Georgia, you couldn't miss the Big Peach rising above the trees near Byron. Standing high on a pole behind the Big Peach Antiques Mall, the giant glowing fruit became one of those roadside landmarks that let travelers know exactly where they were. 06-06
Erected in 1987, the oversized peach was designed to catch the eye of passing motorists and tempt them off the interstate. At nearly 100 feet in the air, the illuminated peach was visible for miles, especially after dark when it glowed above the highway. It wasn't a water tower like South Carolina's famous Peachoid, just a giant advertisement, but it became every bit as memorable to travelers heading north or south on I-75.
For nearly 25 years, the Big Peach served as a familiar road-trip landmark before violent storms swept through central Georgia in April 2011. Powerful winds tore the giant peach from its mount, sending it crashing to the ground and ending the run of one of Georgia's best-known roadside advertisements.
UPDATE: The giant peach was never rebuilt. The antique mall remains open, but the towering fruit that once watched over Interstate 75 is gone. 08-26
Peach Shops
Byron, GA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Need a break from Interstate 75? The Peach Shops in Byron offered travelers a good excuse to pull off the highway, stretch their legs, and do a little shopping before getting back on the road. 06-06
Built to attract the steady stream of vacationers passing through central Georgia, the outlet center became a familiar stop with clothing stores, shoe outlets, toys, restaurants, and plenty of bargains for families headed to Florida or returning home. Sitting next to the famous Big Peach Antiques Mall, it was easy to spend more time here than originally planned.
Like many outlet centers that flourished during the 1980s and 1990s, the Peach Shops eventually faced changing shopping habits and the loss of many national retailers. Even so, the familiar highway sign still lets motorists know they're passing one of Byron's longtime interstate landmarks.
UPDATE: The Peach Shops remain open, although many of the original outlet stores have been replaced by local businesses and vacant storefronts. 08-26
Arrowhead Monument
Old Fort, NC Photo courtesy Doug Harvey
This roadside Arrowhead Monument marks the location of an Army outpost of the 1700's in Old Fort, NC along U.S. 70 at the gate of the Appalachian Mountains. Many thanks to Doug Harvey for info. 08-06
Driving through Old Fort, it's hard not to notice the towering Arrowhead Monument rising beside the old train depot. Standing nearly 30 feet tall, it's one of those landmarks that makes you wonder what story lies behind it.
The monument was dedicated in 1930 before a crowd of thousands and was built to symbolize peace between early settlers, the Cherokee, and the Catawba. The giant arrowhead itself was hand-carved from a single piece of North Carolina pink granite and placed atop a base of river stones gathered from a nearby creek.
The monument also became part of the historic Boone Trail Highway, a series of markers celebrating Daniel Boone and the nation's early frontier roads. Whether you're passing through town or exploring the western North Carolina mountains, it's worth stopping for a closer look.
UPDATE: The Arrowhead Monument continues standing beside the Old Fort depot and remains one of the town's best-known historic landmarks. 08-26
The Big Chair
Thomasville, NC Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
If you're driving through downtown Thomasville, you can't miss The Big Chair rising above the town square. Standing 30 feet tall, it's one of North Carolina's best-known roadside landmarks and a fitting tribute to the city that proudly called itself the "Chair City." 07-08
The first giant chair appeared here in 1922, built by the Thomasville Chair Company to celebrate the area's thriving furniture industry. After years of weather took their toll, the original was replaced in 1951 with the concrete and steel version that still stands today. Modeled after a classic Duncan Phyfe chair, it has welcomed generations of travelers ever since.
Over the years, the Big Chair has become much more than a roadside novelty. It has served as a backdrop for parades, festivals, campaign speeches, and countless family photographs. Even though other giant chairs have since claimed the title of "world's largest," this one remains the world's largest Duncan Phyfe chair and an enduring symbol of Thomasville's furniture-making heritage.
UPDATE: The Big Chair continues standing in downtown Thomasville after a recent restoration, welcoming visitors to North Carolina's Chair City. 08-26
World's Largest Chest of Drawers
High Point, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
High Point is known as the "Home Furnishings Capital of the World" and is also home to the self proclaimed "World's Largest Chest of Drawers". According to VisitNC.com, this four story building was built in the shape of an 18th century chest of drawers. The chest was built in 1926 and is now home to the High Point Jaycees. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 02-09
The original version was built in 1926 as a playful response to Thomasville's famous Big Chair just a few miles away. If one town could celebrate its furniture industry with an oversized chair, High Point figured it ought to have an oversized dresser. The idea worked. Before long, the giant bureau had become one of North Carolina's best-known roadside landmarks.
Unlike many roadside giants, this one isn't simply a sculpture. It's an actual building wrapped inside a giant chest of drawers. Over the years it has served as a visitor center, office space, and showroom, proving that even a roadside attraction can have a full-time job.
Chest of Drawers
High Point, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The landmark received its current look in 1996 when it was completely remodeled into the elegant Queen Anne-style dresser seen today. The giant pair of socks hanging from one of the open drawers quickly became part of the attraction, serving as a tribute to the region's once-booming hosiery industry. They're also one of the first things visitors notice, usually followed by someone asking, "Why are there socks in the drawer?"
Whether you're in town for the famous High Point Furniture Market or simply passing through, it's worth making a quick stop. Like the Big Chair in neighboring Thomasville, the giant dresser has become more than just a roadside curiosity. It's a symbol of an industry that helped build the city and one of those landmarks that's impossible to drive past without taking another look.
UPDATE: The World's Largest Chest of Drawers continues welcoming visitors to downtown High Point as the historic landmark begins a new chapter under new ownership. 08-26
King Neptune
Georgia Peanuts
Big Peach (Gone)
Arrowhead Monument
The Big Chair
World's Largest Chest of Drawers
Chest of Drawers
