25 Best Things to Do in Mount Airy, NC (From a Local)

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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 almost seven 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 to town though is the fact that it was Andy Griffith’s hometown and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry on “The Andy Griffith Show.”

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25 Best Things to Do in Mt. Airy, NC

Did you know there were so many fun things to do in Mount Airy? Since moving closer to the city, I’ve enjoyed exploring all these fun activities around town.

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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!

How much does it cost?

The Andy Griffith Museum currently costs $8 for adults and $6 for kids 12 and under. The price also includes admission to additional Surry Arts Council exhibits like the Siamese Twins exhibit.

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

The “Andrew Griffith Show” was not filmed in Mount Airy, but this was 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 on their website.

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 & Jail 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!

Visitors can explore the Andy Griffith Museum, which is dedicated to the life and career of the show’s star, as well as take a tour of the town to see landmarks such as Floyd’s Barber Shop and the Snappy Lunch, both of which were featured on the show.

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 take will take you through town, and showcase all the places that were modeled after the show.

You’ll visit Mayberry landmarks like the courthouse, 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 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.

I come to Mount Airy before Christmas every year and try to do most of my shopping here. There are just so many locally-owned spots that I love.

7. Historic Earle Theatre

Built in 1938, the theatre is a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture and a true gem of the town’s history. Today, the theatre hosts a variety of events, from live music performances to classic movie screenings.

The live music events are great for a romantic night out or a night out with friends and the movies are typically family-friendly. So the perfect venue no matter who you brought with you!

The Theatre is owned and run by the Surry Arts Council and supporting them supports the local arts. Inside you’ll find Old-Time Music Heritage Hall which is interesting for music fans.

You can tour the venue outside of show times and admission is $8 – it is also included with admission to the Andy Griffith Museum and Siamese Twins exhibit. Be sure to check the hours that tours are allowed on their website.

On Saturdays, you can attend the WPAQ Merry-Go-Round show from 11am to 1:30pm. It’s the second-longest running live radio show in the nation and focuses on local talent.

8. Mount Airy Museum of Regional History

Love learning about local history? Check out this museum in downtown Mount Airy. It covers the history of the surrounding counties – Surry, Stokes, Forsyth, Wilkes, and Yadkin.

Through the permanent exhibits, you’ll learn about the Native Americans who inhabited the area, the primary industries here, our unique music, and famous people from North Carolina that grew up here.

They also showcase rotating and traveling exhibits so there will likely be something new to see each time you visit!

While I’m not always into history, this is actually a well-done museum and I thought it was pretty interesting especially since I live here.

9. Go Antiquing

For a long time, Mount Airy has been known as a place to go for antiques. There’s the Mayberry Antique Mall along N Main Street that offers 18,000 square feet of antiques.

Remember When Antiques and Main Street Market are also popular stops. About 15 minutes south on Highway 52 you’ll also find a few antique stores in downtown Pilot Mountain.

My husband and I have spent some time walking through the antique stores but we’ve never purchased anything.

10. Take a Ghost Tour

Many people don’t realize this, but the Mount Airy Regional Museum also offers ghost tours.

I took one a long time ago, and it was really pretty neat to learn the local stories. As always, the quality of the ghost is going to be very dependent on the storyteller.

Tours are held May through October on Friday and Saturday nights but pre-paid reservations are required.

11. Grab a Beer at the Breweries on Market Street

If you’ve read any of my other articles, it probably comes as no surprise that this is one of our favorite things to do in Mt Airy.

There are two breweries downtown and both are across the road from each other on Market Street. This has really become an artsy area, with string lights across the street and fun murals.

Thirsty Souls has fantastic pizza and I’m a huge fan of their Hazy Future IPA and Cryptic Kolsch. White Elephant has great live music on the weekends and a cool outdoor patio.

Thirsty Souls is one of our favorite date night spots!

12. Tour the Gertrude Smith House

The Gertrude Smith House is a historic home along N Main Street that is open for tours. Best of all – this is one of the free things to do in Mount Airy!

The house was built around the turn of the century and since Gertrude left it in her will to become a “living history museum,” you’ll see it almost exactly as it was when the family lived there.

You’ll see lots of artwork in the house and the original furniture. If this is something you really want to see then call to confirm their hours before visiting.

13. Eat at the Restaurants in Mt Airy

There are so many good restaurants in Mt Airy and you’ll find many of them downtown. One of our go-to’s is Kazoku. Make sure you make a reservation here though.

The Loaded Goat also has amazing burgers, sandwiches, and wings. They also have great craft beer options on draft. It’s usually where I go if I want a burger.

Old North State is the place to go if you want a more upscale meal but obviously, it’s more expensive. Mi Casa on Main is the place for tacos in town.

For a hit of nostalgia, check out Leon’s Burgers or Snappy Lunch for their famous pork chop sandwich.

14. Check Out the Murals in Town

Mount Airy has really done a great job with murals over the last few years and they are continually adding them.

At the downtown parking lot on Franklin Street there is a mural of wildflowers on the wall of Adrian’s Hairtique – it’s my personal favorite I think.

Around the corner, between Mayberry Country and Walker’s Soda Fountain, you can also see the Coca-Cola mural.

In an alleyway across from White Elephant, you’ll find a mural of the singer Melva Houston. At the intersection of Moore Ave and N Renfro St, there is an Andy Griffith Mural showing his face at various ages.

There are a couple of murals at the Andy Griffith Playhouse and Museum parking lot too. I love the Hey from Mayberry one – it’s a great photo opportunity!

15. Walk the Mount Airy Greenway

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Mount Airy Greenway is a great place to stretch your legs. A portion of the Greenway runs by the Ararat river so it’s very scenic and peaceful.

If you have your own bike, this would be a great place to bring it and ride. They also have some really nice playgrounds along the Greenway if you have kids.

You can park at Riverside Park to access the Greenway and this is the section that runs right by the river.

I love bringing my dog, Barley, here, especially if it’s rained recently, so we can stay on a paved path. It’s also just a pretty place to walk by the river.

16. Hike at Pilot Mountain State Park

A short 20-minute drive down Highway 52 will bring you to Pilot Mountain State Park. Note that it can get very crowded on the weekends and they close the gate to the summit when that parking lot reaches capacity.

You can find beautiful views just from driving to the top of the mountain when the road is open. But my favorite trails here are the Jomeokee, Ledge Springs, and Grindstone Trails.

If the summit parking area is closed then you can either hike the Grindstone Trail to the top or visit one of the other accesses. We love the Pilot Creek Access and Bean Shoals Access.

Just know that you’ll have to drive through three stream crossings to reach the Bean Shoals Access.

The mountain section of the park is also very popular for rock climbing if you’re into that.

After you’re done exploring, I highly recommend coming into downtown Pilot Mountain and checking out some of the stores here in town.

Pilot is one of the best day trips from Mount Airy so definitely put it on your list!

17. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you head in the opposite direction and go north on 52, then you’ll come to the Blue Ridge Parkway in about 20 minutes. This scenic section of the parkway is probably most well-known for Mabry Mill.

Once you get to the Parkway at Fancy Gap, head north and you’ll reach Mabry Mill in about 30 minutes.

Check out the historic buildings like the sawmill, blacksmith shop, or the mill or eat at the Mabry Mill restaurant. You can also take a picnic and enjoy driving the parkway and pull of at an overlook to enjoy the scenery.

I used to visit Mabry Mill all the time as a kid and I’ve been back multiple times as an adult. The restaurant serves pretty good food and it’s fun to see the blacksmiths at work.

18. Make a Stop on the Surry Sonker Trail

If you don’t know what sonker is, it’s a desert that’s sort of a mix between a cobbler and a pie. I grew up in Yadkin County and have gone to church in Surry County my whole life, so sonker was a part of every church meal for me.

There are eight different locations on the Sonker Trail and three are located in Mount Airy – Prudence McCabe, Anchored Sweet Treats, and Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies.

Other locations are in Dobson, Elkin, and Pilot Mountain.

19. Grab a Drink at Mayberry Spirits & Distillery

This is our local small-batch distillery in town! If whiskey is your thing then you’ll love it here. They offer tours and tastings and the price covers a souvenir shot glass as well.

If you don’t love straight whiskey then they’ll also mix cocktails for you. This is also a great place to find gifts made by local artisans.

Many people say that this is the highlight of their trip to Mount Airy!

20. Attend One of the Events in Mount Airy

While there are many things to do in Mount Airy anytime, festivals really make the town come alive and are a special time to visit.

Budbreak is a wine and beer festival that’s held in the spring and brings together many local wineries and breweries to serve samples downtown. I made Tyler go with me one year and it was super fun!

Autumn Leaves and Mayberry Days are two festivals that happen in the fall. The Autumn Leaves Festival was established in 1966 and features local music, crafts, art, and various food vendors.

Mayberry Days is all about celebrating life in a “simpler time” and highlights all things Andy Griffith. If you’re a fan of the show, then this should be on your bucket list!

If you’re looking for the best time to visit Mount Airy, many people love coming for the festivals. Personally, the town gets a little crowded for me but that’s all personal preference!

21. Go Wine Tasting in the Yadkin Valley

Now for one of my favorites. 😊 This is likely the one on the list that we spend the most time doing! There are about 40 wineries in the Yadkin Valley and so many great ones that we love.

Old North State is located in downtown Mount Airy and good for the sweet wine drinker. They do have a few dry wines and I like their Restless Soul. Since it’s a restaurant, this is more a spot where you would order a glass at the bar instead of do flights.

The other closest winery to Mount Airy is Round Peak. It’s a laid back spot with a wonderful patio that they enclose with plastic barriers and heaters in the winter. They have cheese and crackers for snacks or you can bring your own food.

Serre Vineyard is one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Yadkin Valley. It has gorgeous mountain views and the tasting room is in a very aesthetic white barn. They have some great refreshing, summer wines but note that they are on the expensive side for this region.

You’ll also want to check their hours of operation as they’ve changed some things around and are only open for walk-ins on Saturday afternoons between 1 to 5pm.

A few of our other personal favorites that aren’t too far away are Hidden Vineyard, Haze Gray, and Stony Knoll all of which are within about 10 minutes of each other.

There are some fantastic wineries near Elkin as well which is about 40 minutes from Mount Airy.

22. Get a Treat at Scoop’s Ice Cream

This is a 15 minute drive outside of downtown but the cutest place for ice cream. You could stop by on your way to one of the wineries, when heading to hike in the western part of the state, or if you plan on visiting Elkin.

Scoops serves ice cream out of a little converted van and there is plenty of outdoor seating. The whole area is very whimsical and fun. A huge hit with kids!

23. Step Back in Time at Horne Creek Living Historical Farm

For history buffs or anyone who loves farming (like my husband), Horne Creek Farm is a must-visit. This is located in Pinnacle, just south of Pilot Mountain and a beautiful spot to spend a couple hours.

You’ll find the old farmhouse on-site which you can walk through plus a tobacco barn, corn crib, and a heritage apple orchard. There are also livestock here.

It’s definitely interesting to see what a farm typically looked like in this area around 1900.

24. Pick Your Own Fruit or Veggies at Miss Angel’s Farm & Orchard

If you want to pick up some fruit that you can take home with you then head to Miss Angel’s! They are open seasonally and what’s available in the orchard will depend on when you visit.

Throughout the year you’ll find fruits, veggies, and flowers here as baked goods and other supplies in their country store. Kids love the playground and jump pad too.

They host many different events and festivals during the season which look like lots of fun!

25. Go Down the Yadkin River with Rocky Forest River Run

We love taking our kayaks down the Yadkin River! If you don’t have your own, then there is an outfitter near Elkin, Rocky Forest River Run. Just note reservations are required.

They are only open on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-May to mid-September so keep that in mind!

This is such a peaceful way to spend the day and they offer a 2.8-mile trip and a 9-mile trip depending on how long you want to spend on the water.

You’ll want plenty of sunscreen, water, and snacks as it gets very hot out there.

Map of Mount Airy Attractions

Wrap Up: What to Do in Mount Airy, NC

Mount Airy is a great destination that offers a unique blend of history, charm, and natural beauty. There are so many nods to “The Andy Griffith Show” and you can explore many attractions that celebrate the show’s legacy.

You can also enjoy shopping and dining in locally-owned stores and restaurants. Obviously, there is plenty to do for the outdoor-lover too with all the nearby state parks.

And don’t forget the wine! If you like going wine tasting then Mount Airy is a great home-base for that. There are so many fun things to do in Mount Airy and it’s absolutely worth a visit.