We recently drove to Myrtle Beach for vacation, so I researched some stops along the I-95 corridor where you can stretch your legs, have some fun, and not break the bank.

Stops Along I-95 in New Jersey

Edison and the Giant Lightbulb

The world’s largest lightbulb is located in the Gateway Region near the intersection of I-95 and Rt 287, on top of a tower and next to a tiny but interesting museum at Menlo Park. The Center is open only Thursday to Saturday, but there is a nature trail at the park, and of course, it’s always fun to pose in front of a tower with a 13 foot lightbulb on top, even if you can’t go in.

Burlington County Prison Museum

In Mt Holly, visit the Burlington County Prison Museum for a taste of history with a dose of the paranormal. Located quite close to the New Jersey Turnpike, this historic prison (complete with gallows) is a good place to get your ghost hunting on, and also contains some interesting historic information and touching displays. Some of the original graffiti can be seen on the walls behind glass plates. Open Thursday through Sunday, $5 per adult.

Red Bank Battlefield Park

Red Bank Battlefield Park in Gloucester County, NJ, is a nice spot to enjoy a little history in a pretty, natural setting. Several monuments and signs describe the fort that protected this strategic spot during the Revolutionary War. There are playgrounds, tables, pavilions, grills, and historic gardens.

A photo of one of the prison cells at Burlington County Prison Museum, with a wax figure of a prisoner sitting and staring at a small model fire, with a sign in the foreground describing the contents of the cell (straw mattress with bed linens, Bible, Wood for fire, wooden bucket for night waste) — Prison Cell at Burlington County Prison Museum

Stops Along I-95 in Delaware

The Wilmington Riverfront

The Riverfront includes numerous restaurants and hotels, as well as a paved nature walk out to a little patch of wetland with a high overlook and boardwalk for bird viewing. This is also where the Delaware Children’s Museum is located. It is one of the best in the region, and you can easily spend several hours inside. Admission is $15 per person. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

White Clay Creek State Park

White Clay Creek State Park encompasses a very large area that runs into Pennsylvania, providing ample opportunity to get lost if you’re not careful! (Yes, we know from experience.) It has a small nature center, and hikes that reach the Mason Dixon line, as well as one where you can find the point where Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland come together.

Stops Along I-95 in Maryland

Havre De Grace

Havre De Grace is a sweet little town along the Chesapeake Bay, and it’s fun to walk along the “Promenade,” which is a little winding boardwalk along the Bay that ends up in front of the lighthouse for which the town is known. On a hill above the parking lot for the Promenade and Marina, there is a playground which is well loved by local children and visitors alike for it’s array of playground equipment (including a miniature lighthouse) and by parents for it’s lovely hilltop view of the water. There are a number of charming little seafood restaurants nearby.

Baltimore

There are a number of attractions in Baltimore that are excellent, such as the National Aquarium and the Baltimore Children’s Museum, Port Discovery. However, if you’re looking for free or low-cost, our recommendation instead is the colorful Baltimore Museum of Art, which is free to enter. Follow this up with a trip to Taco Town for an affordable and yummy lunch.

Bookside Garden

Brookside Garden is a free and quite beautiful botanic garden in Montgomery County, MD, just north of Washington DC. There are many gorgeous themed gardens, such as an azalea garden, a butterfly garden, a pond and a conservatory. It is a really lovely place, especially considering that it is free. It is in a highly populated area with many choices of nearby restaurants.

The National Harbor

Just walking around the national harbor area is enjoyable. There are many options for food and shopping, and there is the Awakening statue – sculptures made to look like a man climbing out of the earth. There were also various sculptures to honor different Americans – George Washington, those who serve, many American and state flags, etc. Walk up to Spirit Park and take a look at the interesting textured sculptures of an American Bison family and flags. It is worth the short walk to enjoy this small, patriotic park.

There are bikes you can rent just like in the capital for a fun and affordable way to explore. There are also water taxis available at the harbor to go visit the capital. They will take you across the Potomac to the Georgetown area of DC, and of course from there you can find endless things to do. You can also ride the capital wheel for views across the Potomac to the Washington Monument.

Stops Along I-95 in Virginia

The National Museum of the United State Army

The National Museum for the United States Army is just south of DC in Fort Belvoir, VA. It is very large and very well done, with a few things that the kids especially enjoyed: There was a STEM interactive play area for the kids, one for kids under 8 and one for all ages. Both were very entertaining. You can find displays on all of the different wars which are very interesting, but more than we were able to see in one visit. Our kids also really enjoyed the film shown in a surround sound immersive theater – the seats shake and the film comes to life all around you. The whole museum is free, and we ate in the café, which was reasonably priced.

Large white canvas dome tent inside the Army Museum with children looking over the interactive displays inside

Richmond

There are many nice attractions and restaurants in the Richmond area. A few we recommend are Kuba Kuba (closed Mondays) or Rostov’s Coffee and Tea, if you’re just looking for a pick me up. You’ll find a bazillion different types of coffees and teas here.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is in Richmond and is free to enter. If the weather is good, we definitely recommend stopping at Maymont for a beautiful walk. Here you will find the beautiful old mansion which can be toured for a small fee, or you can simply walk the lovely grounds, perusing the waterfall and the Italian and Japanese Gardens. The grounds are free.

Outdoor dome and hall of columns with a woman posing in the middle at Maymont in Richmond, VA.

Stops Along I-95 in North Carolina

Roanoke

There is a small museum and a long walking trail called the Roanoke Canal Museum where you can learn all about the history of Roanoke from native American life there through modern times. Or, get some fresh air along the canal trail.

Rocky Mount

River & Twine Tiny house community is a unique place to stay if you’re looking to break up your drive over night. We loved giving this a try – reservations are for four people, but we did indeed sleep all 6 of us in one (very) tiny house! It was a lot of fun, though not comfortable for more than 4 people for more than a night! We ate at the picnic tables near the community firepit and explored the pond full of turtles the next morning. There is also a shopping center across from the tiny house community where you can find whatever you need before you hit the road again.

Two tiny houses pictured behind a red picnic table. They are not much longer than the table, with brown and red clapboard and some small hedges around them.

Bladenboro

Amonst the very tiny towns you might find along I-95, Bladenboro stood out as a cute little place to stop for a meal or a coffee. We enjoyed Aunt B’s for lunch, and then coffee next door at Over Yonder.

Fayetteville

Fayetteville hosts the free Airborne and Special Ops Museum, another large and very well done military museum. Nearby is Mazarick Park where you’ll find several playgrounds, a lake, trails, restrooms, and a tennis court. There are plenty of restaurants in the area as well.

Free and Low-Cost Stops on an I-95 Road Trip