If you grew up watching The Andy Griffith Show, you might not realize that the fictional town of Mayberry actually exists, or at least the real Mayberry, NC does!
Mayberry is based on Mount Airy, NC. This quaint town where Andy Griffith grew up is just as charming as portrayed in his television series.
Those considering a day trip to Mount Airy will find that the town pays quite the tribute to the man who put the town on the map!
Stepping Back in Time to the Real Mayberry
This charming small town is full of history, culture, and fun activities that can easily be squeezed into a day-long adventure. Here is what you should plan to do & see:
Historic Downtown Mount Airy
Visiting Mount Airy will give you plenty of time to explore the historic downtown. This is where you will find everything from soda shops to antiques.
If you love the Andy Griffith Show, you will also find a ton of souvenirs and collectibles!
Opie’s Candy Shop
One of my favorite places to stop in Mount Airy is the old-fashioned Opie’s Candy Shop.
This store sells candy by the pound, prepackaged goodies, traditional candy favorites and hand-scooped Mayfield Dairy ice cream.
Floyd’s Barber Shop & Snappy’s Lunch
Two places that you should make sure to see while you are walking around historic downtown Mayberry are Floyd’s Barber Shop.
Both were frequented by Andy Griffith (under different names) and became part of the town of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith show.
Mayberry Squad Car
While walking around downtown Mount Airy, you might see a Mayberry Squad Car.
The Mayberry Squad Car is a vintage Ford Galaxie 500 replica from 1962.
Mayberry Squad Tours will take you on a tour of the town while giving you some fun facts about each place.
Andy Griffith Museum
Just beyond the Andy Griffith Playhouse (which was once the elementary school he attended) is the Andy Griffith Museum.
Here you will find exhibits on Andy’s life and his career in theater, film, and music.
There are actual props & costume pieces from The Andy Griffith Show as well as items from the TV series Matlock.
Tickets to the Andy Griffith Museum also include admission to 5 other Surry County Art Council exhibits
$8 per Adult
$6 Ages 12 and under
Andy Griffith Statue of Andy & Opie
Don’t miss seeing the statue of Andy and Opie which famously portrays the two on their way to go fishing just like in the series intro for The Andy Griffith Show.
William Alfred Moore House
The William Alfred Moore House is a historic that was built in the early 1860s and is the earliest built structure still standing in town. The house is the home to a small museum.
Visit Pilot Mountain State Park
Just a short 15-minute drive from Mount Airy is Pilot Mountain State Park.
Visitors to Pilot Mountain State Park can enjoy a plethora of activities such as hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, and fishing.
The park has over 11 miles of trails that lead through forests, past streams and up to the peaks of both Big Pinnacle and Little Pinnacle.
These trails vary in difficulty levels, providing options for all ages and abilities.
The visitor’s center is certainly worth seeing. It has recently been renovated and has exhibits that focus on the history of the area.
If you choose, you can go to the top of Pilot Mountain.
You can park at the visitors center at the bottom and either hike your way up or tram your way to the top of Pilot Mountain.
If you do take the shuttle, the roundtrip fare is $5 for adults (kids 13 and under are free).
You can also purchase a one-way fare for $2.50. You will need to purchase your tickets in advance.
The view from the top of Pilot Mountain will make you glad that you made the trip to the top!
Mount Airy, North Carolina may be small in size, but it packs a punch when it comes to charm and history. Whether you’re a fan of The Andy Griffith Show or simply looking for an authentic Southern experience, this charming town is sure to capture your heart.
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