You may have heard of Mount Airy, North Carolina but can’t quite place why. Mount Airy is the hometown of Andy Griffith and served as the basis for the town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show. The town fully embraces this connection and has multiple reminders spread throughout its 8.4 square miles (22 km2).
Located just 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Pilot Mountain, Mount Airy is visited by more than 100,000 tourists every year. Pretty impressive for a town that has just over 10,000 full-time residents. Everything about Mount Airy has that wonderful nostalgic small town feel to it, from the quaint downtown clock tower and 19th century stately homes to the Mayberry Courthouse & Jail. You can easily enjoy downtown on foot but will need to drive to see Mayberry, the museum and Andy Griffith’s boyhood home.
Downtown Mount Airy
Historic downtown Mount Airy is a window shoppers delight. It starts at the corner of Independence Boulevard and North Main Street and ends at Pine Street. It isn’t just wall-to-wall tourist-trap shops, though they are certainly there to be found, but also a collection of local artists, boutiques, nostalgia and plenty of Mayberry reminders. The early morning and late afternoons cast some wonderful shadows along the top of the taller buildings along the .6 mile (1 km) round trip.
Starting from the north end of Main Street you’ll see the famous Leon’s Burger Express, perfect for a quick midday meal. As you pass Virginia Street the red brick of the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History building rises to catch the morning sun. The museum focuses on early 20th-century Mount Airy and includes an exhibit of the “Original Siamese Twins” Eng and Chang Bunker. Around the corner, just a tad down Virginia Street is the Whittling Wall which pays homage to local icons who helped shape the history of Mount Airy.
Above the wall is the Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park, which serves both as a place to relax and for parking, with its distinctive medieval tower that replicates the Blue Ridge Hotel that once sat on this very corner. Next door to the park the Bark & Meow Pet Spa features a bronze baby giraffe at its entrance. Across the street, a few doors down, is the infamous Barney’s Café with its cozy counter service and Deputy Fife memorabilia. Next to Barney’s is the Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce notable for the old-fashioned clock tower that sits at the corner of Moore Avenue and main Street.
Half a block ahead is the Mt. Airy Tractor and Toyland Co. It’s a wonderful mix of toys for children and adults alike. Just around the corner, on the southface of Hunt Brothers Pizza is a nostalgic tribute to 5¢ Coca-Cola that overlooks a nice area to rest and relax. Next door is the Bear Creek Gifts that, admittedly a bit touristy, has a little bit of everything from t-shirts and fudge to a candy kitchen and wind chimes. For a real genuine (and fun) tourist trap be sure to check out Mayberry on Main just across from the Franklin Street intersection . . . it’s pure 100% Mayberry!
The Hillbilly Ice & Creamery is a perfect spot to stop and get a dollop of ice cream on a hot summer day. Across the street is the historic Earle Theatre, built in 1937, host to one of the southern premieres of Gone With the Wind. The Earle is still operating today and is home to the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall as well as the weekly WPAQ Merry-Go-Round. As you near the far south end of downtown you get the biggest Mayberry themed treats. It starts with Opie’s Candy Store, followed by Floyd’s Barber Shop (still operational) and Snappy Lunch, which has the distinction of being the only Mount Airy business specifically referenced on The Andy Griffith Show.
An additional bonus from a stroll downtown Mount Airy are the painted guitars (and a banjo). Similar to the painted fish in Bryson City, we saw at least (8) during our stroll. Each featured a local artist and had a unique theme. The one in front of the Visitor Center was pure Mayberry but our favorites included the pop art rendition in front of Pages Books & Coffee, the colorful North Carolina nature-themed banjo and America-themed guitar bookending the Mayberry Market and the tie-dye tribute in front of Bear Creek Gifts.
North Main Street Homes
Above the north end of downtown, specifically between West Elm Street and Rawley Avenue, is a row of beautiful historic homes that harken back to the grand old estate homes of the south. These stately homes feature wrap-around porches, stone chimneys, understated (yet tasteful) landscaping and windowed top floor attics.
Mayberry in Mount Airy
The highlight, and most visited, part of Mount Airy is the Mayberry section. They have recreated some of the more common venues of the Andy Griffith Show in a pleasant one-block area. It starts with the Courthouse and Jail and includes storefront facades for Foley’s Market, Fred’s Radio & TV Repair and the Mayberry Hotel (actually a little gift shop). The jail has all kinds of little tidbits that will be noticed by aficionados of the show like Ernest T’s brick, Otis’ conveniently situated cell key or Barney’s ham radio.
Next to the hotel is the Darlin’s moonshine delivery truck alongside Wally’s Towing rig. Around back you’ll find the Darlin’ shack (along with a still). Finally there is Wally’s Service Comfort Center complete with Hi-Test and Regular gas pumps as well as the general store. You’re also likely to see a number of squad cars parked out front. There are tours that run throughout the town most every day that will take you to most all of the stops on our list. The squad cars are, of course, replicas from the Mayberry Police department.
MAYBERRY FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Mount Airy, NC
HOURS: 9am-5pm – Monday-Saturday & 10am-4pm – Sunday
COST: FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 30 minutes
ACCOMODATIONS: Parking area. No restrooms.
Andy Griffith Museum
As expected, the Andy Griffith Museum is home to the largest collection of memorabilia in the world for both the show and the man. Lifelong Mount Airy resident, and friend of Andy Griffith, Emmett Forrest is most responsible for the museum and many of its contents. There are props, photos, recordings, wardrobe and even Don Knott’s Emmy plaques. There is a fantastic bronze statue of Andy and Opie headed off to fish that evokes memories of the shows opening credits.
THE ANDY GRIFFITH MUSEUM FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Mount Airy, NC
HOURS: 9am-5pm – Monday-Saturday & 1pm-5pm – Sunday
COST: $8 Adults, $6 Children 6-12, & Children 5 & under are FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1-2 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Large parking lot, public restrooms and gift shop
Mayberry Motor Inn
There are a number of options for lodgings in Mount Airy but, as we wanted the authentic Mayberry experience, we decided on the Mayberry Motor Inn. In 1967 a local woman applied for a job at a hotel across the street. The owner laughed at her exclaiming that no woman would ever work in his establishment. A few years later her husband gave her money to buy a car which she instead used as a down payment on the Mayberry Motor Inn. Today this family-owned business is run by her three grandchildren while the hotel across the street went out of business in the 90’s. The inn replicates motels of the past and even includes one of Mayberry’s police squad cars. It’s clean, comfortable (nice pool and gazebo) with no frills. If you get a chance please say hey to Jeremy, a fantastic individual and innkeeper.
Little Richards BBQ
If you only have one meal while visiting Mount Airy, make it Little Richard’s Lexington BBQ. Located only minutes from the Mayberry Motor Inn (455 Frederick St), Little Richards was some of the best barbecue we’ve had since moving to the Tar heel state. The atmosphere is great and the servings are simple but the food is outstanding. Ramie had the Spudzilla (BBQ filled baked potato) and I had the Texas Beef Brisket with sides of Mac & Cheese, Hushpuppies and Corn Fritters. The servings were large enough for two meals making it not only an amazing culinary delight but a bargain to boot!
Other Mount Airy Stops
We only had about half a day to spend in Mount Airy so we weren’t able to fully explore the area. There are definitely many other things to do including the Siamese Twins exhibit (next to the Andy Griffith Museum) or gravesite (near the White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery) of Chang and Eng Bunker. You could also venture out, or even spend the night at, the childhood home of Andy Griffith. Next door is the Playhouse, built in the 1920’s and where Griffith attended elementary school, which still has live productions, concerts and year-round classes. There is also the Gertrude Smith House, a Victorian-Colonial Revival home that serves as a “living museum” with period furniture, art and landscaping. Finally, a great way to spend an afternoon is at the Riverside Park with its access to the river plus playground, skate park and walking trail.
Final Thoughts on Mount Airy, North Carolina
We could have spent another day in Mount Airy but we were too eager to get hiking on nearby Pilot Mountain. Mount Airy is a perfect place to visit for a relaxing and nostalgic experience. Even if you aren’t a fan of the Andy Griffith Show there is still plenty to keep you entertained.
What is your favorite little getaway town? We’d love to hear all about it!
I think that would be an awesome place to live.
Absolutely! Western North Carolina is a vastly underrated treasure cove.