Location: Mount Airy
Top Things to do in Mount Airy
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What to do and see in Mount Airy, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Mount Airy is a city in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,388. The town is widely known as the home of actor Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry on his eponymous show.
Restaurants in Mount Airy
1. Pilot Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 433 reviews
Great views of the countryside may be enjoyed from the summit.
Reviewed By RiverRoadPhotography - Oak Ridge, New Jersey
During our Winter Getaway from NJ, we spent a week in Florida at a lovely Airbnb on Anastasia Island before heading up to Zirconia, NC to visit a cousin. The purpose of visiting the Pilot Mountain area was to check out Rustic Trail Teardrop Trailers which is a family owned and run small camper builder. Having read Facebook posts from others, decided to take a trip up as the sun was setting...and we were treated to a gorgeous sunset with an unusually cold for this time of year hike to the lookout of Pilot Mountain. Took lots of photos and have shared them with others who also can't believe what a special place this is. We will certainly plan a return to this area just to explore this mountain more in the future. Can only imagine how beautiful the view is in the Fall!
2. Floyd's City Barbershop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By gatortunor - Clemmons, North Carolina
Most of my favorite things on the Andy Griffith centered around Floyd and his barbershop, so much so that I named my Dog Floyd. (I already had a Barney Fife and now I have an Andy Taylor and Miss Crump). Floyd’s barber shop is still going strong with its large customer and fan base.
3. The Mount Airy Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
The Mount Airy Visitors Center is now located in The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Building at 200 N. Main Street, Mount Airy NC 27030. Please stop by the Mount Airy Visitors Center as we are open 7 Days a week Monday-Friday 8:30am-6pm (May-November) and until 5pm (December-April), Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 12noon-4pm. We can assist with planning your trip while visiting Mount Airy "Mayberry" North Carolina. The Andy Griffith Museum is also open 7 Days week and just few blocks from the Visitors Center.
Reviewed By NeilfromDayton - Dayton, Ohio
Not sure why we stopped in here, we weren't lookng for anything special. But we were warmly greeted and introduced to the museum and other sights. someone in my house is a huge Andy Griffith fan, watches the reruns on MeTV daily.We are glad that you stopped into the Mount Airy Visitors Center as we have a bunch of information on the area including attractions, restaurants, lodging, shopping and much more. We hope you will come back and visit us again very soon!
4. Mayberry Replica Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By bangorpaguy - bangor, pa
Honestly, there is not a lot to see and you could just breeze right through it, but don't. The replica courthouse has the look and feel of a he old show and there is no admission. They do have a donation box which we used. It's a fun little place.
The gift shop is located between the courthouse and Wally's service station. They have a few vehicles around to give you the feel of an old time gas station. The building appears to be an old service station and also has a nice little gift shop inside.
They also offer tours with old Ford Galaxy patrol cars just adding to the ambiance.
One other neat little building is an old shack representing the Darlins, fans know what hat I mean. They even have a replica still on the side of it too.
5. Mayberry Spirits Distillery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 81 reviews
Taste the Spirit of Mayberry! Tour the first legal distillery in Mount Airy since Prohibition. Our sorghum whiskey is handcrafted and made in small batches in copper stills. Come see it made and Lift Your Spirit! Tours & tastings are Fridays & Saturdays 12pm - 6pm, $10 (includes a souvenir shot glass), approximately 40 minutes, and start on the hour. Reservations are encouraged and can be made on our website. Kids 17 and under are free. Distillery amenities include: dog-friendly, handicap accessible, parking lot, bathrooms. Browse our unique gifts in the shop before or after your tour! Everything is made in NC, including hand-rolled cigars, handcrafted copper jewelry, handblown barware, Whiskey-infused soap, barn quilts, and local fine art.
Reviewed By David P - North Carolina
Mayberry Distillery makes a unique whisky; sorghum grain based.
Take the tour, and you'll get a different experience each time, depending upon your tour leader.
You can even get 'off day' tours if you arrange it in advance.
I won't spoil the stories, but you won't leave disappointed!
6. Downtown Mt. Airy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 296 reviews
Reviewed By SpaGirlLMT06 - Kentucky
This quaint little downtown area is Andy Griffith's hometown. Some believe the show Mayberry was based on some of the people in Andy's life. We experienced the locals to be very friendly people. Make sure to visit the Andy Griffith Museum(very inexpensice) & stroll downtown. Some of the things mentioned in the show are actually there such as, Snappy Lunch, Walkers Soda Fountain, Floyd's Barber Shop, Pilot Mountain aka "Mt. Pilot"
7. Mount Airy Museum of Regional History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By LKNCHOWHOUND - Cornelius NC
Everyone knows Mt. Airy aka Mayberry as the home of Sheriff Andy. They incorporated a lot of Mt. Airy into Mayberry and unlike Asheville aka Altamont in Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel, the folks of Mt Airy have completely embraced the concept.
As you stroll down Main Street with Snappy Lunch on one end, you'll pass Floyd's Barbershop, Barney's etc with Black and White Ford Custom's replicating the police cars Andy and Barney drove.
At the other end of main, you're run across the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Looking at the building with it's lofty ceilings and polished wooded floors, I'm going to guess this is a re purposed textile mill, probably either spinning or knitting.
Glad to see these old building preserved and put to good use.
From main, you walk down a sidewalk that is on the side of the building to the front entrance. Nice sitting area in a courtyard to your right.
You walk in and pay your admission and you're set. Trun to the left and a nice exhibit on the Native Americans who were the original settlers of this area. Very interesting and informative exhibits.. On the other side of the wall is an exhibit of the early settlers who migrated down from Pennsylvania and Virginia from one direction and to a lesser extent the upward extension from Eastern NC and up the Rivers from SC,
Also an excellent explanation of the local geology and the significance of Pilot Mount aka Mt. Pilot.
Good interpretative exhibits.explaining what frontier life was like in the Revolutionary and Post Revolutionary Period was like on what was then the frontier.
Upstairs and you get a feel for Mt. Airy and Surry Country from the Late 1800's and early 20th Century. Two beautifully restored Model A's to look at. Nice Parlor with Piano, Dining Room etc but obviously not the setting of the common day worker.
You run into an exhibit honoring the folks who came from Mt. Airy including Andy Griffith but also Donna Fargo. While they retired here, Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese Twins retired and move here and married here as well. Many of their descendants are still in the area and their contributions made this exhibit possible.
When I was a child, my dream was to be a paleontologist but seeing what most paleontologist earned, I went the way of an Organic Chemist but never gave up my passion for paleontology.
My favorite place is the Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian because of their exhibits. I was shocked to walk into this place to find a Paleontology Exhibit that is probably one of the best in the Southeastern US and at the same time, I was shocked that I did not know it was even there.
A total delight and I could have spent hours here.This exhibit was worth the admission and more alone. For my next trip to Las Vegas, I have booked a trip up to SW Utah to a dinosaur dig which will be fun but in the meantime, this is excellent, a little over a hour trip from Cornelius and a lot less expensive.
8. Old North State Winery and Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Old North State Winery started as a cooperative in 2002 and has since evolved into a winery owned by two families with one vision. Our vineyards were established on farms that have been in our families for generations. We hope you enjoy the culmination of our dreams, our devotion to our farmland, and our passion for our wines produced at Old North State Winery.Most of our wines start out as luscious wine grapes grown on Yadkin Valley North Carolina family farms. We are the Old North State Winery, Inc. located in Mount Airy, in the headwaters of the Yadkin Valley AVA. Wine, beer and fine foods are our passion and our legacy.
Reviewed By Angela K - Cornelius, North Carolina
While exploring the Mount Airy historic downtown we stopped here for lunch. We were promptly seated, our server was very sweet and efficient. Our food was very tasty and large portions. Then we sat at the bar for the wine tasting. We will definitely come back here while in the area.
9. The Andy Griffith Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 710 reviews
Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina is home to the new Andy Griffith Museum. Come see the largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia collected by his friend Emmett Forrest. The collection features hundreds of items from the life and career of Andy Griffith in movies, television, and music as well as a variety of memorabilia. There are even actual props from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock given by Andy Griffith himself. The collection also includes items donated by cast members and actors from The Andy Griffith Show, as well as a special exhibit on the career of actress and current Mount Airy resident Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou. Admission to the Andy Griffith Museum also includes an exhibit on the Siamese Twins; a photography exhibit "Mount Airy to Mayberry," and the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall at the Historic Earle Theatre, all within walking distance of the museum. The Andy Griffith Museum is open 7 days a week. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Reviewed By NeilfromDayton - Dayton, Ohio
Being big fans of the Andy Griffith show, and watching it on MeTV almost every day, we were happy to visit Mt. Airy and to see this museum. It was a little disappointing to realize that the museum is really just one big room. Souvenirs are priced pretty high, due to royalties wanting their cut. But it was a once in a lifetime visit, so we paid $22 each for 3 tee shirts.
10. Round Peak Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By beachbumbabs - North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Friends from the area had suggested this stop for the wine...but we opted for some craft beers instead. The rear covered porch has a fantastic view of the tail end on the
Appalachian Mountain range looking over the vineyards. Friendly staff - and a dog-friendly venue made it a GREAT stop for a couple of hours !
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