Mount Airy North Carolina

Mount Airy, aka “Mayberry”, is the hometown of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictitious town that was the setting for the Andy Griffith show in the 1960’s. It’s a cute little town with a lot of character and nostalgic references to Andy Griffith’s childhood and settings from the show. Although there’s no chance of being confronted by Barney Fife or stopping in for one of Aunt Bee’s famous pies, it certainly does have that familiar small-town feel.

The main street district stretches for several blocks and is where you can shop for local goods and step back in time a bit. Many of the shops and restaurants have episodes of the Andy Griffith Show playing on a TV somewhere which gets you sucked in immediately. Located in the middle of the strip is the historic Earle Theater, built in 1938 and is still used today. It’s not unusual to see the old squad car driving by when you’re in town, or see it parked in front of one of the establishments. Was that Sheriff Taylor?

I stopped in for an impromptu haircut at Floyd’s Barber Shop. Although Floyd wasn’t the barber (or was he) you’d swear you were back in Mayberry with the banter and camaraderie. I even learned a couple new jokes while I was getting my haircut. This one is for the ladies: Do you know the difference between a husband and a savings bond? Savings bonds mature! The barber shop has been around for over 100 years and is where Andy Griffith got his hair cut as a kid. The current barber, Jeff, is a hoot and has been cutting hair there for around 40 years.

Right next door to Floyd’s is Snappy Lunch, another iconic spot famous for their pork chop sandwich and portrayed in the show. The no frills diner is the oldest continuously operating eatery in Mount Airy and where Andy Griffith often ate as a kid. The diner will transport you back to another, more simpler, time… and that pork chop sandwich more than lived up to the hype! The prices even take you back in time, with dishes that average about 5 bucks.

Several blocks away from the main strip is a replica of Wally’s Service Station (Goober’s place) and the Mayberry courthouse. This is a great stop for a few nostalgic photos but don’t expect to get your tire repaired there. Goober is long retired!

A visit to Mayberry…uhm, Mount Airy, is not complete without a stop at the Andy Griffith Museum. This small museum is very well done and gives you a deeper look into the show, it’s characters and the career of Andy Griffith. I bet about now you’re searching for old episodes of the Andy Griffith Show on your TV, aren’t you?

Our intent for stopping in Mount Airy wasn’t just to step back into nostalgic Mayberry, it was also our next stop to explore more of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had already explored much of the parkway in our previous stops from its end (beginning for us) at milepost 469 in Cherokee to near the Virginia border. From this stop we explored another 54 miles of the parkway through Virginia. The Mayberry Campground in Mount Airy made for a great basecamp to explore the area.

As I’ve mentioned before, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a wonderful journey no matter what you drive or ride, it’s an American driving trip at its best. So put the top down, let your hair blow in the wind and enjoy the journey! There are many historical structures to see along the way and gorgeous overlooks which provide great opportunities to stretch your legs. We particularly enjoyed the Rocky Knob area which has great overlooks of Rock Castle Gorge.

Another great stop along this part of the parkway is at milepost 176, Mabry Mill, one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The gristmill dates back to the early 20th century and is now a restored historical site representing the self-sufficient lifestyle of Appalachian communities. It’s a magnificent sight to see as you explore the grounds with other historical artifacts.

There’s something else that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains besides the parkway, and that’s Appalachian music, or as it was originally called, “mountain music”. This music, which eventually became bluegrass, has been influenced and molded by many cultures from early Native American ceremonial songs, African introduction of the banjo, European storytelling ballads and African American work songs and blues elements. The music is not only alive and well in this part of the country, it is still a strong thread that defines it. There are many places to stop in and listen to traditional bluegrass music along the parkway such as The Blue Ridge Music Center where you can enjoy evening shows on the weekends or just pull up a chair on the porch on any given afternoon. This is much more than music; it’s a way of life shaped by generations of cultural influence.

As we’ve now traveled for nearly 10 weeks through western North Carolina, we’ve discovered the area surrounding Mount Airy may be our favorite in the state. Within an hour in any direction is another welcoming small town with something always going on. Places like Dobson or Floyd with its famous Country Store. Elkin and Sparta with its outdoor festivals and some of the best Mexican food we’ve had outside of Texas, at Mis Arados. And Galax which we visited on Hillbilly Days and enjoyed the street market and car show. We don’t often furniture shop in our travels but the Guynn’s “Old Mill” Furniture store in Galax is as much a destination venue as it is furniture store. The store is located in an early 20th century mill building that has been restored over the years. Much of the original equipment is still in the building, along with its exposed cedar beam structure.

Well it’s time to “nip it, nip it in the bud” and move on down the road a piece. Be sure to check out all of our pictures from Mount Airy, the Blue Ridge Parkway and all the great sights in-between.