Local Writer's Top 25 Things to Do in Mount Airy

Travel writers from across the U.S. (and beyond) visit Mount Airy to experience the uniqueness and great stories to be found in "America's Hometown." For a different perspective, this post covers the best things to see in Mount Airy through the eyes of a local writer, Anna Cook of StuckOnTheGo.com.

Whether you’re in Mount Airy for Andy Griffith, the amazing local wineries of the Yadkin Valley, or outdoor adventures, you’ll fall in love with this town. There are so many cool things to do in Mount Airy, NC that it’s well worth a visit.

I grew up in the neighboring county and have lived 15 minutes from Mount Airy for many years now. I’ve really grown to love the city more than I thought I would.

The quaint downtown area with cute shops and restaurants, surrounding wineries, and great hiking opportunities means that I’m never bored.

One of the biggest draws, though, is the fact that it is Andy Griffith’s hometown and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

25 Best Things to Do in Mt. Airy, NC

Did you know there are so many fun things to do in Mount Airy? I enjoy exploring all these activities around town.

(1). Tour the Andy Griffith Museum

If you’re an Andy Griffith fan, then you absolutely have to tour the Andy Griffith Museum. The museum contains items used on the set as well as many fun facts about the cast in the show.

I loved walking around and checking out all the memorabilia and behind the scenes information about the show. I also love the statues out front though!

It’s a relatively small museum, so it doesn’t take long to go through, but the items that you’ll see will bring back wonderful memories from the show.

You’ll want to check out the statue of Andy and Opie in front of the museum as well. It’s a great photo spot!

• Was “The Andy Griffith Show” Filmed in Mount Airy?

The show was not filmed in Mount Airy, but this is Andy Griffith’s hometown. Mayberry (from the show) is a fictional town that was based on Mount Airy.

(2). Stop by the Andy Griffith Playhouse

The Andy Griffith Playhouse is where you’ll find live music acts and live theatre. The Surry Arts Council manages the venue and you can find event information right here.

They don’t have events every weekend so check their schedule before planning a trip if this is something you want to see.

There is also a colorful mural here that’s a great photo opp and it reads “Forever Mayberry.”

(3). Take the Good Time Trolley Tour

When you think of trolley tours, you may initially think of cities like Savannah or Charleston, but Mount Airy has its very own!

You’ll ride in a small, 12-seater trolley and take a 60-minute tour of the town to learn some history and fun facts.

Tours typically run on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday but they do close during the winter months.

(4). Visit the Mayberry Courthouse & Jail + Other Mayberry Sites

Visiting the sites inspired by Mayberry here in town is a must-do for any fan of the iconic show “The Andy Griffith Show.”

If you didn’t already know, the town of Mount Airy served as the inspiration for the show’s fictional town of Mayberry, and there are many businesses here based on places you see on the show.

The Mayberry Courthouse is one of the most popular stops and it’s right beside Wally’s Service station. This is where the Squad Car Tours leave from!

(5). Mayberry Squad Car Tours

The Mayberry Squad Car is an iconic piece of television history, and getting to ride in it is such a unique experience. The tour will take you through town, and showcase all the places that were modeled after the show.

You’ll visit Mayberry landmarks like the courthouse, the Andy Griffith Homeplace, Floyd’s Barbershop, and Snappy Lunch, while learning trivia and fun facts about the show and its characters.

They also take you down Main Street and by the granite quarry which is the world’s largest open-faced granite quarry.

Of course, the tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable and the ride itself is incredibly nostalgic. You may want to take the tour toward the beginning of your trip so you can get a feel for town and other things you want to do.

(6). Shop Along Main Street

There are tons of great little shops along Main Street in Mount Airy and this is one of my go-to places when I need to pick up gifts.

One of my favorites is Pages Books & Coffee – a wonderful independent bookstore with a coffee bar inside. Farmhouse Spits and Spoons is where I pick up lots of Christmas gifts.

Keswick Candle Company sells luxurious goat milk lotions and candles. Their lotion is some of my favorite because it’s hydrating but doesn’t feel greasy. Fancy Gap Outfitters is a cute clothing store where you can find men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, bags, and more.

There are also a few women’s boutiques like Vintage Blush and The Addition. The Dapper Hound is a good spot for pet treats and accessories for small dogs.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, then Bear Creek Fudge is a popular option. For sweet treats check out Prudence McCabe Confections and Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies.

Finally, Welcome Home Décor and Gifts is a cute spot for home decor items. Just take a walk up and down North Main Street and you’ll find tons of shopping options.

• To see the 19 remaining spots on Anna's list, check out her original article.

*Special thanks to Anna Cook for collaborating on this post