If you were a fan of The Andy Griffith Show in the 1960s, then you probably remember that on the show, Andy was the sheriff of a small fictional town called Mayberry, NC. It was a sleepy small town with a quaint downtown Main Street and plenty of colorful neighborhood characters. But, you may not know that the town of Mayberry was based on Andy’s real-life hometown – Mount Airy, NC. In fact, Mount Airy is affectionately known by the locals as “Mayberry RFD (Rural Free Delivery),” the same name as the show’s spin-off series.
Of course, there are lots of Andy Griffith attractions to check out during your visit to Mount Airy, including the Andy Griffith Museum, where you’ll find the world’s most extensive collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia; the Andy Griffith Playhouse, where Andy went to elementary school and later performed in plays; Andy’s boyhood home, which is available to rent per night; and a room dedicated to “Aunt Bee” at the Mayberry Motor Inn, where you can see more than 30 of her memorable belongings.
You can also cruise around town in a replica of a vintage police squad car from 1962, thanks to Squad Car Tours, visit the Mayberry Jail at Wally’s Service Station, visit Floyd’s Barber Shop, take a photo in front of the “Andy and Opie” TV Land statue, and stop in for an infamous pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch, the only actual Mount Airy business that was ever mentioned on the show.
Even though the town is most well-known for its “Mayberry” attractions, there’s plenty more to do and see in this quaint little town. The downtown Main Street, lined with cute old-school shops and restaurants, was named one of the best attractions in NC by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice. Mayberry Distillery, located on South Street, is the first legal whiskey distillery in the town since prohibition, offering small-batch whiskey, brandy, and moonshine. There are also several wineries in Mount Airy, including Round Peak Vineyards, Old North State Winery and Brewery, and Uncorked – a wine shop in the middle of downtown that sells a wide variety of North Carolina wines.
History buffs will want to check out the several historic homes in town, including the LuRosa Atkins Manor and the Gertrude Smith House, as well as the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, where you can learn all about the history of the town, the Yadkin River and the world’s largest open-faced granite quarry. The quarry is also open to visitors who can watch all of the action from an observation deck. Just be prepared to cover your ears, because they set off explosions several times a day!
You may also want to plan your visit to Mount Airy to coincide with one of the town’s two major festivals that happen every year – Mayberry Days and Autumn Leaves. Mayberry Days are the aptly-named celebration of the Andy Griffith Show, which takes place each September and includes a parade, contests, special guests, live music, a silent auction, and more. The Autumn Leaves Festival also takes place in the fall, typically around mid-October, focusing on the area’s musical heritage and unique arts and craftsman. You can shop goods from over 200 vendors during the festival, enjoy live bluegrass and gospel music, and some good old-fashioned soul food like ham biscuits, collard greens, and cornbread.
