The Real Mayberry: Mount Airy, North Carolina

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Mayberry is a term used these days to describe a place where people are honest, and towns are safe. A few years ago, we learned that the town of Mayberry actually exists.

When Jackson was young, his favorite television show was Andy Griffith. No joke, we have watched the complete series so many times that we know the episodes by name. Our favorite episodes include:

Brandi: Man in a Hurry, season three, episode 16.

Lucy: The Loaded Goat, season three, episode 18.

Sean: Barney and the Choir, season two, episode 20.

Jackson: Alcohol and Old Lace, season one, episode 17.

Many believe that Mayberry is based on Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Due to Jackson’s love of Barney, Andy, Otis, and Aunt B, we have visited Mount Airy four times since 2012. Although the town has progressed since Andy lived here, it has kept its southern charm, laid back appeal, and it gives everyone who visits a strong longing for yesteryear.

Mount Airy, North Carolina

Mount Airy is close to the Virginia state line, so it isn’t a quick drive away. We typically pair Mount Airy with another destination so that we can enjoy two vacation locations since we are miles from home. We have delightfully paired a two-day stay in Mt Airy with Greensboro, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Ashville, North Carolina; and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

We recently visited Mount Airy, and I now want to bring this special town to you.

Wally’s Service Station

The first time we visited Mayberry, we drove into town and stopped at Wally’s Service Station.

Tours are available (if you are interested, go early or schedule for the next day, they fill up quickly) in an authentic 1960’s Mayberry police car.

While touring, take in all of the landmarks and view the beautiful architecture created with the white granite that is local to the area.

When you finish your tour, be sure to stroll next door to visit Wally’s tow truck and the Darlin’s singing truck!

Stop by Mayberry’s replica jail/courthouse.

You can get locked up like Otis or take care of official police duties like Barney and Andy.

Downtown Mayberry

Downtown Mayberry is filled with shops and iconic eateries inspired by or being the inspiration for the television show. Listed below are a few of our favorite downtown locations.

Snappy Lunch

While shopping in downtown Mount Airy, be sure to stop in for a bite of lunch or breakfast at the Snappy Lunch.

The Snappy Lunch opened its doors in 1923, and school kids (including Andy Griffith) and business people took a load off for a delicious bite at lunchtime. Andy refers to the Snappy Lunch in the episode, The Matchmaker when he tells Barney that they should stop for a bite at the Snappy Lunch.

A shocking aspect of Snappy Lunch is the prices. When you dine, you will notice that the costs will seem like Mayberry, taking you back to yesteryear!

Floyd’s Barbershop

One of our most memorable and cherished visits to Mayberry was when Jackson got his hair cut by the “real Floyd” at Floyd’s Barbershop. The barber cut Andy Griffith’s hair when he was young, and he was who Andy based the character off of in the television show.

The real Floyd, whose actual name was Russell Hiatt, passed away in 2016 at 92. He cut hair for 70 years in Mount Airy. Although Floyd is no longer with us, if you visit, the barbershop is open for business if you need a cut.

Walker’s Soda Shop

Inspired by the fictitious characters of Ellie and Fred Walker, Walker’s Soda Shop is a great place to stop in for a cool treat.

Ellie was a pharmacist and worked in her Uncle Fred’s Pharmacy/Soda Shop on the show. Today, you can stop in for a malt, shake, banana split, and a variety of soda shop lunch items.

We always look forward to visiting Walker’s and enjoying delicious treats.

The Andy Griffith Museum

A short walk around the corner from the downtown main street is the Andy Griffith Museum.

While there, check out authentic memorabilia from the show and learn some interesting, fun facts (FYI, no photos can be taken inside the museum, these are from the entrance).

Below the museum is an exhibit about Chang and Eng Bunker, who the term “Siamese twins” was coined.

Andy’s Childhood Home

Andy Griffith’s childhood home is available for rent while visiting Mount Airy, and it is within walking distance of downtown. Located on East Haymore Street, you can personally experience what it was like for Andy to live in Mount Airy as a young child.

Mayberry Campground

We typically camp when visiting Mount Airy, and we always love staying at the Mayberry Campground. The campsites are spacious, and everything is clean.

The campground owners are descendants of the Bunkers, the original “Siamese twins,” and the campground property was the homestead of the brothers.

One of my favorite pictures that I ever took of Jackson and Lucy was when we were walking around the Mayberry Campground. They have an old truck located by the campground office, and one Thanksgiving, we snapped their photo while in the truck bed.

For Christmas this year, Sean’s mom and dad gave Jackson and Lucy a movie projector (Check it out on Amazon) to use while camping. We first tried the projector while in Mayberry. Sitting outside at night underneath the stars was so neat, watching Andy Griffith on the “big screen.”

We purchased a 120-inch movie screen (Check it out on Amazon), and I used command hooks to attach it to the side of the camper. The evenings could not have been more perfect at the campground.

Pilot Mountain, AKA Mount Pilot

A short jaunt down the road sits Pilot Mountain. We visited the mountain on one of our visits because Andy always spoke about the nearby town of Mount Pilot. Mount Pilot was inspired by the mountain and the nearby town of Pilot.

If you plan on visiting Pilot Mountain, be sure to check out the state park website before you go. We may or may not have gotten lost on our way to the mountain, somewhere in the Yadkin River Valley…

Quite Possibly the Best Barbeque in America: Little Richard’s

Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I are people who look forward to trying locally-owned restaurants when we travel. On our recent trip to Mount Airy, we came across what we consider some of the best barbeque in the country, Little Richards.

We ate dinner at Little Richards on two of our three allotted evenings in town. Usually, no matter how good the food, we want to reserve each evening for a unique local restaurant. However, the barbecue was so delicious that we needed to visit again before leaving town.

I don’t know what to say except to go and eat at Little Richard’s. We are sure to return very soon!

Oh, just a tip… for Georgia barbecue enthusiasts like ourselves, don’t forget that while in North Carolina, they put slaw on top of their Q. Tell them if you don’t want the slaw or if you want it on the side.

The Dairy Center

One afternoon while visiting Mayberry, we enjoyed lunch from the Dairy Center. The Dairy Center is not on the downtown drag of Mount Airy, so it requires a car, but the trip is worth it.

As you enter the Dairy Center, you travel 50 years back in time. Enjoy the sandwiches, hot dogs, and homemade ice cream. You can tell just by looking around that this is a local dining favorite.

So often, I feel like the feeling of Mayberry is out of reach. However, visiting the actual town of Mayberry always restores my soul. I don’t know if we will ever get that era back in America, but it is nice to enjoy the thoughts and feelings of a simpler time for a few short days.

Are you interested in visiting Mayberry? Check out Trip Advisor for some fantastic deals in the Mount Airy area!

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For visiting more cities in the south, check out Pigeon Forge and New Orleans!