This North Carolina Giant Strawberry Is A Must-See This Month

Picture a 24-foot-tall strawberry rising from the North Carolina countryside, so massive it stops highway traffic in its tracks. Tucked off I-73/74 near Ellerbe, this isn’t just roadside kitsch, it’s a full-blown destination where homemade ice cream meets farm-fresh charm.

Inside that colossal berry at 351 Cargo Road, you’ll discover scoops so creamy they’ve earned a 4.8-star rating from nearly 3,000 visitors, plus produce so fresh it was likely picked that morning. When a giant fruit becomes North Carolina’s sweetest roadside rebellion, you know you’re in for something special.

Whether you’re beach-bound or simply craving a taste of countryside hospitality, this quirky landmark delivers peach cobbler dreams, strawberry sundae magic, and enough Instagram-worthy moments to fill your camera roll.

The Berry family didn’t just build a fruit stand, they created a sugary oasis where sand-filled patios, rocking chairs, and boiled peanuts remind travelers that the best detours often lead to the most memorable adventures.

1. World’s Largest Strawberry Building

Most roadside attractions settle for big. This one went absolutely colossal.

Standing 24 feet tall and tipping the scales at four tons, the strawberry structure at The Berry Patch isn’t just large, it’s record-breaking, officially recognized as the world’s largest strawberry-shaped building.

Lee and Amy Berry spent over five months constructing this berry behemoth in the late 1990s, determined to catch the attention of drivers speeding past their farm stand. Their gamble paid off spectacularly.

What started as a marketing gimmick became a beloved landmark that travelers now plan entire road trips around.

The building survived a dramatic relocation in 2011 when highway expansion forced it to move two miles north. Engineers carefully transported the massive fruit to its current Cargo Road location, proving that sometimes the best things in life really do get better with age.

Inside this architectural marvel, visitors find an ice cream counter serving up frozen treats that taste as impressive as the building looks. The structure’s fame has spread far beyond North Carolina borders, drawing curious tourists from across the country who simply must see, and taste, what’s inside the world’s biggest berry.

2. Homemade Ice Cream Paradise

Forget everything you thought you knew about ice cream. The frozen magic served inside that giant strawberry elevates simple dairy into an art form that has visitors declaring it should be outlawed, in the best possible way.

The Berry Patch churns out flavors that span from classic mint chocolate chip to adventurous banana and peach varieties, each recipe crafted to highlight the farm’s fresh ingredients. Customers rave about strawberry sundaes drizzled with caramel and pecans, while others swear by the peanut butter scoops that taste like childhood memories frozen in time.

What makes these treats extraordinary isn’t just the taste, it’s the generous portions and reasonable prices that keep families coming back season after season. Scoops arrive massive enough to share, though most visitors find themselves unwilling to part with a single spoonful.

The ice cream counter moves surprisingly quickly despite constant crowds, a testament to the efficient staff who somehow maintain their bubbly demeanor even during peak beach-traffic weekends. Many travelers admit they’ve developed a ritual: one scoop heading to the coast, another on the return trip, because one taste simply isn’t enough to satisfy cravings that last the entire vacation.

3. Farm-Fresh Produce Market

Behind the ice cream fame lies the original heart of this operation: a sprawling produce market stocked with fruits and vegetables so fresh they practically glow. The Berrys cultivate 450 acres of farmland, ensuring much of what fills those market bins was growing in North Carolina soil just hours earlier.

Seasonal offerings change with the months, but certain stars consistently steal the show. Summer brings watermelons so sweet they don’t need salt, while fall delivers apples perfect for cobbler or cider.

Peaches arrive in July and August, their juice-dripping ripeness inspiring customers to buy entire bushels for canning marathons at home.

The strawberries, naturally, command special attention, with varieties selected for maximum flavor rather than shipping durability. Tomatoes stack in pyramids of red and gold, their vine-ripened perfection a stark contrast to grocery store imposters.

Corn, cucumbers, and squash round out the selection, supplemented by produce from neighboring farms when Berry Patch fields take seasonal breaks.

Prices occasionally climb higher than supermarket rates, but regulars argue the quality justifies every penny. These aren’t vegetables bred for shelf life, they’re grown for taste, picked at peak ripeness, and sold before they lose that just-harvested magic.

4. Humble Pickup Truck Beginnings

Every empire starts somewhere. For The Berry Patch, that somewhere was the tailgate of a pickup truck parked along Highway 220 North, where Lee and Amy Berry sold strawberries to passing motorists in 1995.

The couple had no farming background, Lee often jokes that his last name felt like destiny calling, but they possessed something more valuable: determination and a willingness to learn through trial and error. Those early days meant long hours in the fields followed by longer hours hoping drivers would stop for their berries.

Business grew slowly at first, one satisfied customer at a time, until word spread about the exceptional quality of their fruit. The Berrys reinvested every dollar into expanding their operation, gradually transforming from roadside vendors into legitimate farmers with acreage to match their ambitions.

That giant strawberry building? It emerged from those humble beginnings as both practical marketing and a tribute to how far they’d come.

The Berrys never forgot their pickup truck roots, maintaining the friendly, down-home service that characterized those early sales even as their operation grew into a regional destination.

Today’s visitors might not realize they’re supporting a true family success story, proof that American dreams still come true, one strawberry at a time.

5. Beach Vibes In The Middle Of Nowhere

Who needs the coast when you can sink your toes into sand while surrounded by farmland? The Berry Patch created something wonderfully absurd: a beach-themed oasis located nowhere near actual water, complete with sand, chairs, and tropical decorations that make zero geographical sense yet feel absolutely perfect.

This sandy escape zone serves as both a clever photo opportunity and a genuine respite for travelers. Kids build sandcastles while parents enjoy ice cream in rocking chairs, creating vacation vibes without the four-hour drive to the Atlantic Ocean.

Beach music drifts from speakers, completing the coastal illusion with remarkable effectiveness.

The concept resonates especially with families making the long trek to Carolina beaches, offering a preview of sandy fun on the way there and a final taste of vacation magic on the return trip. Visitors consistently mention this quirky feature in reviews, charmed by the sheer audacity of creating a beach where no beach should exist.

Games and activities dot the sandy area, keeping restless children entertained while adults browse the market or wait for ice cream orders. It’s whimsical, unexpected, and thoroughly delightful, exactly the kind of creative thinking that transforms a simple farm stand into a must-visit destination worth planning your route around.

6. Award-Winning Roadside Recognition

Recognition arrived officially in 2019 when Strange Carolinas readers voted The Berry Patch as North Carolina’s Best Roadside Attraction, validating what travelers had known for years. This wasn’t just another kitschy stop, it represented roadside Americana at its finest, where genuine hospitality trumps corporate polish every single time.

The award acknowledged something special: in an era of homogenized highway exits dominated by chain restaurants and gas stations, The Berry Patch offers authentic local flavor impossible to replicate. Its success proves that travelers crave unique experiences over predictable convenience, especially when those experiences come with exceptional ice cream and farm-fresh strawberries.

Competing against countless other quirky North Carolina landmarks, a state famous for its roadside oddities, made the victory even sweeter. The giant strawberry beat out mysterious gravity hills, bizarre folk art installations, and historic oddities to claim the top spot, testament to the universal appeal of good food served with genuine warmth.

This recognition brought increased visibility, drawing even more visitors who wanted to experience the state’s officially crowned best roadside stop. The Berrys accepted the honor with characteristic humility, continuing to focus on what they do best: growing great produce, making incredible ice cream, and welcoming every visitor like family stopping by for a visit.

7. Country Store Treasures

Beyond the ice cream and produce lies a treasure trove of country store goods that transport visitors back to simpler times. Shelves groan under the weight of homemade jams, jellies in every flavor imaginable, pickled vegetables that crunch with vinegar-soaked perfection, and local honey harvested from nearby hives.

The pickled okra has developed a cult following, with customers stockpiling jars like apocalypse preppers hoarding canned goods. Boiled peanuts, a Southern delicacy that baffles Yankees and delights locals, sell steadily to road-trippers seeking authentic regional snacks.

Glass bottles of old-fashioned sodas line coolers, their retro labels promising flavors grocery stores abandoned decades ago.

Pimento cheese spread earns frequent mentions in reviews, its creamy, tangy perfection ideal for crackers or sandwiches during beach picnics. Country ham, handmade crafts, and seasonal items like pumpkins round out the eclectic inventory, creating a shopping experience that feels more like exploring grandma’s pantry than visiting a commercial establishment.

Prices lean slightly higher than big-box stores, but quality justifies the premium. These aren’t mass-produced products, they’re carefully selected items from local producers or made in small batches using traditional methods.

Souvenirs range from strawberry-themed keychains to practical kitchen goods, ensuring visitors leave with more than just memories and full bellies.

8. Convenient Highway Access

Location matters, and The Berry Patch hit the geographical jackpot. Positioned at Exit 8 off I-73/74 (formerly US Highway 220), it’s perfectly situated to intercept travelers heading to and from popular coastal destinations, making it the ideal midpoint pit stop for beach-bound families.

The convenient access means no complicated navigation through back roads or following confusing directions to find this attraction. Drivers simply take the exit, follow clear signage, and arrive within minutes at the giant strawberry that’s visible from the highway itself.

This accessibility transformed what could have been a local farm stand into a regional destination serving visitors from multiple states.

The route connects North Carolina’s Piedmont region with its famous beaches, creating a natural funnel of vacation traffic that passes directly by the Berry Patch doors. Families traveling from Charlotte, Greensboro, or points north find themselves perfectly positioned for an ice cream break right when kids start getting restless and parents need caffeine.

Ample parking accommodates everything from compact cars to RVs, with plenty of space for vehicles to maneuver safely. The lot rarely feels crowded despite high visitor volumes, thanks to thoughtful design that keeps traffic flowing smoothly even during peak summer weekends when beach traffic reaches its annual crescendo.

9. Spotless Facilities And Amenities

Let’s talk about something unglamorous but crucial: bathrooms. The Berry Patch maintains facilities so clean they earn specific praise in customer reviews, a remarkable achievement for any high-traffic public space, especially one serving hundreds of daily visitors during peak season.

Two indoor restrooms handle most traffic, supplemented by well-maintained portable toilets positioned discreetly at the property’s far end. Recent additions expanded capacity, reducing wait times that once stretched during busy weekends.

Staff keeps everything stocked, clean, and functional, basic standards that somehow feel extraordinary compared to typical highway rest stops.

Pet owners appreciate the designated dog walking area where furry travel companions can stretch their legs and handle business before returning to vehicles. This thoughtful amenity acknowledges that pets are family members too, deserving consideration during long road trips.

Water bowls and waste disposal stations complete the pet-friendly setup.

Outdoor seating scattered across the property provides multiple spots to enjoy ice cream or simply rest before continuing journeys. Rocking chairs line the market building’s front, offering prime people-watching positions and shade during hot afternoons.

Tables near the giant strawberry create perfect picnic spots where families can regroup, refuel, and prepare for the next leg of their adventure without feeling rushed to vacate.

10. Daily Operating Hours

Consistency builds trust, and The Berry Patch delivers with reliable daily hours that accommodate both early birds and evening travelers. Open every day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the operation maintains predictable availability that travelers can count on when planning their stops.

Those morning hours prove especially valuable for families starting beach vacations early, hoping to beat traffic and claim prime spots on the sand. An 8:00 AM opening means coffee, fresh fruit, and maybe even a breakfast-appropriate ice cream scoop are available right when travelers need them most.

Early availability also serves local customers who prefer shopping for produce before temperatures soar.

The 6:00 PM closing time catches some visitors by surprise, particularly those accustomed to gas station convenience stores operating until midnight. Reviews occasionally mention arriving near closing only to find staff already shutting down, a gentle reminder that family-owned businesses keep human hours rather than corporate schedules.

Seven-day-a-week operation, closing only on Christmas Day, demonstrates the Berrys’ commitment to serving their community and traveling customers. This reliability means visitors never have to worry about arriving on an unexpected closure day, a common frustration with small businesses that keep irregular hours.

Whether it’s Monday morning or Saturday afternoon, that giant strawberry welcomes guests with consistent hospitality and fresh offerings.

11. Seasonal Specialties And Cobbler Magic

Some menu items transcend simple dessert status to become legendary. The Berry Patch’s fruit cobblers, particularly apple and peach varieties, have achieved exactly that elevation, earning rapturous reviews from visitors who describe them as life-changing experiences worth the highway detour alone.

These aren’t dainty, delicate pastries. They’re generous portions of fruit-packed, crust-topped comfort served warm with ice cream melting into the filling, creating rivers of sweet, creamy perfection.

The optional caramel and pecan additions transform good cobbler into transcendent territory, adding layers of flavor and texture that make taste buds sing with joy.

Seasonal availability means peach cobbler peaks during summer months when local orchards deliver their ripest fruit, while apple versions dominate fall menus. The Berry Patch uses fruit at optimal ripeness, never settling for underripe or past-prime produce just to keep menu items available year-round.

This commitment to seasonal authenticity means flavors reach their absolute peak potential.

Chocolate milkshakes provide another standout option, thick enough to require serious straw suction yet smooth enough to justify every calorie. Fresh strawberry lemonade arrives packed with actual fruit chunks, creating a refreshing drink that doubles as a snack.

These specialties complement the ice cream offerings, ensuring every visitor finds something perfectly suited to their cravings and creating memorable flavor experiences that last long after the last bite disappears.