This Is The Friendliest Small Town In North Carolina

If there’s one show that perfectly captures the homespun charm of 1960s America, it’s the Andy Griffiths Show. The hugely popular series ran for eight seasons and followed the exploits of a sheriff in a sleepy little town known as Mayberry. Today, you can step back into the folksy, friendly 60s with a visit to the real-life Mayberry, the town of Mount Airy in North Carolina where actor Andy Griffith grew up. Mount Airy embraces its Americana reputation, giving visitors a very warm welcome as they explore its many attractions. This delightful, eclectic community is definitely a one-of-a-kind destination with its quirky character and old-fashioned hospitality.

The History Of Mount Airy

Tucked into the upper Yadkin Valley near the Virginia border, Mount Airy is a former stagecoach stop that became officially incorporated in 1885. The town’s primary industries in its early years were tobacco, furniture, textiles.

Later, the area became known as a booming wine region, thanks to the fertile soil of the Yadkin Valley which attracted vineyards and vintners from across the country. By the time the first episode of the Andy Griffith Show aired in 1960, the town was also gaining a reputation as a musical hub and the birthplace of Round Peak music, a country-style genre featuring the banjo and the fiddle. To this day, the local radio station still operates the second-longest radio show in the country, the Merry-Go-Round, which first launched in 1948.

Mount Airy Attractions

Get a taste of Mount Airy’s musical history at the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall located in the historic Earle Theatre, built in 1938, on Main Street. Here you can browse exhibits of the musical legends that have passed through Mount Airy such as Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cokerham. The theatre is just a short walk from the Andy Griffiths Playhouse, home of the Andy Griffiths Museum which traces the history of Andy Griffith’s Mount Airy and its fictional counterpart, Mayberry.

For more entertainment options, check out the schedule at the Reeves Theater on West Main Street. Abandoned for almost two decades, this grand Art Deco style theater has been lovingly restored into a live music venue and a cafe that serves dishes created from the local produce, cheeses, and meats of Yadkin Valley farmers.

To explore Mount Airy in style, take a Good Time Trolley Tour, a 60 minute narrated tour around town which highlights historical sights and places of interest. Once you’ve seen downtown, grab a snack at the legendary Snappy diner, a community favorite. This classic eaterie first opened in the 1920s and is famous for its pork chop sandwich.

Head out of town to go even further back, to the turn of the century, at Horne Creek Farm where visitors can experience life on the homestead in the early 1900s. This working farm features an original farmhouse, tobacco curing barn, and a heritage apple orchard. It regularly hosts community events including an annual corn shucking frolic, ice cream socials, and fruit tree sales.

Mount Airy Events And Festivals

If you’re a bluegrass fan, be sure to visit Mount Airy in June. This is when the town hosts the annual Mount Airy Fiddlers’ Convention, attended by thousands of old-time music fans. The two-day event includes camping, food, and all-night performances at Veteran’s Memorial Park, as well as free workshops and demonstrations.

Don’t worry if you miss the fiddlers, there are talented musicians showcasing their skills all summer long at the Blackmon Amphitheatre downtown that runs an annual summer concert series. Pull up a chair, get a snack from the local food vendors, and enjoy open-air performances on a warm summer evening.

As summer draws to a close, Mount Airy gears up for the biggest event in its calendar, Mayberry Days. This September festival leans into the 60s sitcom, transforming the town into its onscreen persona and going back to a time when life was simpler and slower. A family-friendly week-long event, there’s a jam-packed schedule centred around the Andy Griffith Playhouse on Main Street. There are comedy shows at the Earle Theatre, bluegrass concerts, tribute acts, Gospel performers, and lots of fun and games for all the family. The highlight of the festival is a huge, colorful Mayberry Parade down Main Street.

Switching gears for fall, the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce hosts the Autumn Leaves Festival in October, an annual tradition that’s almost 60 years old. Downtown is packed with food and craft vendors for this three-day community event that promotes and supports local businesses and artisans. Live music acts, games, and a special KidFest make this one of the most popular fall festivals in the state.

The Magic Of Mount Airy

If you’re dreaming of a time when life was simpler, communities were closer, and people were friendlier, Mount Airy is your dream destination. Surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of North Carolina, this tranquil town is a world away from the daily grind. But don’t let the pace of life fool you - there’s plenty to keep you busy. From snacking at a 1920s diner to taking the trolley around town, and from hearing bluegrass legends to shucking corn on a 1900s farm, a trip to Mount Airy is not your average vacation. Mayberry might be fiction, but the warmth, personality, and friendliness of this charming small town are very real.