What to Do in Mount Airy, North Carolina
Guest Blog Writer: KARA LEIGH CREATIVE
What to Do in Mount Airy North Carolina
Whether you are visiting Mount Airy for the day, a long weekend, your honeymoon or looking to relocate, there is so much to do here! This guide will walk you through what to do in Mount Airy as well as a few suggested itineraries for your visit!
Mount Airy is in the northernmost part of North Carolina about 50 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem. It’s most well-known for being the inspiration for Mayberry – the town that the hit 1960’s show the Andy Griffith show is based off of. Andy Griffith grew up in Mount Airy.
You can also find wine trails, vineyards, greenways, bike routes, incredible state parks and access the Blue Ridge Parkway from Mount Airy.
Whether you like hiking, wine, food, culture or small town living, there is something for everyone.
Distance to closest major cities:
Winston-Salem: 50 min
Charlotte: 90 min
Greensboro: 80 min
Blacksburg: 90 min
When to Visit Mount Airy
Mount Airy is beautiful year round, but it really shows off in the spring and fall. Winters are typically mild but summers can be quite hot and humid.
By April, the summer music series at the Blackmon Amphitheater has restarted, the flowers and foliage have reemerged and theater productions are scheduled at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.
In the fall, Mount Airy makes for a perfect jumping off point for leaf peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway or at any of the three incredible state parks within an hours drive of downtown: Stone Mountain, Pilot or Hanging Rock.
Planning a wedding in Mount Airy? We’d love to be a part of your big day! You can learn more about getting married at Serre Vineyards here.
What to Do in Mount Airy
The Andy Griffith Museum celebrates the life and legacy of 1960s television star Andy Griffith. Griffith was born in Mount Airy in 1926. The show’s town, Mayberry, was based off of Mount Airy. If you are a big Andy Griffith Show fan, the best time to come is during Mayberry Days. The family-friendly festival runs from September 18-24, 2023 and celebrates the kind of simple, small-town life featured in the hit show. Can’t come for the festival? You can catch a show at the Andy Griffith Playhouse, visit the Mayberry Replica Jailhouse, or book a tour with Squad Car Tours.
If you’re visiting Mount Airy in the summer, you might need to cool off a bit. By heading 30 minutes south to Elkin, North Carolina, you can rent canoes, kayaks and tubes and spend the day on the Yadkin River. The company will even shuttle you back from your takeout to your car.
After a hectic week, you might be craving some nature therapy. Yadkin County boasts North Carolina’s first “forest bathing” trail. Forest Bathing is a Japanese concept that has gained traction in western society in recent years. The idea is that soaking in nature allows you to destress, regulate your mood and even lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
State Parks
Mount Airy is less than 50 minutes away from three of the best state parks in North Carolina. Pilot Mountain is 30 minutes away and features a distinctive mountain summit. Stone Mountain State Park is 40 minutes away and is known for the exposed 600 foot granite dome. Hanging Rock State Park is 50 minutes away and features beautiful summit hikes and waterfalls.
Mitchell River is one of the most popular trout fishing spots in the region. The river is a delayed harvest zone meaning fishing in the river is catch and release except for June-September.
Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours
Take a lantern-lit walk through downtown Mount Airy to hear about the town’s historic past. The 90-minute tour features some of Mount Airy’s resting places and not-so-resting residents.
The Earle Theater hosts a variety of musical performances, most leaning towards the genre of old time music and bluegrass. But the theater also hosts blues, Irish, country and rock musicians and occasional theatrical performances.
The Surry Scenic Bikeway features more than 500 miles of roadway-based routes for avid cyclers. One Favorite way to experience the bikeway is to combine it with the Surry County Winetrail for a bike and booze extravaganza.
The Surry County Winetrail features 19 wineries in and around Surry county as well as four breweries and a distillery. You can find a full map of all of the wineries (including ours) here.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is only about 20 minutes from Mount Airy. You can access it at the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area. Take a drive down the parkway and enjoy some of the panoramic views from your car or choose from one of several local hikes for a little exercise.
This luxury resort is located just 40 minutes north of Mount Airy. Try your hand at off-roading with an ATV trip or enjoy a spa treatment at their luxury spa.
Located just 20 minutes down the road at the base of Pilot Mountain, the Bergman Trail Riding and Stables helps you horseback ride your way through the state park or nearby Sauratown Trail.
Pick Your Own Fruit and Veggies
Miss Angels is a pick-your-own farm and orchard in Mount Airy. They also allow camping, have a children’s playground, and host several events throughout the year.
Where to Stay in Mount Airy
If camping is your thing there are tons of options in Mount Airy such as the Mayberry Campground and Beechnut Family Playground. If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, you can stay on private property through the agencies HipCamp and Tentrr.
Airbnb and VRBO both have decent presence in Mount Airy. You can book anything from private rooms to our own beautiful suite to tiny homes to cabins to bungalows.
If you love Bed and Breakfasts check out:
If cabins/cottages are your thing I recommend:
For locally owned vacation rentals try:
Best Places to Eat in Mount Airy
Mount Airy has a small, but lively local food scene that is mostly centered around Southern American cuisine. If you’re craving something other than burgers and BBQ, I recommend Mi Casa on Main for Tex-Mex, Thai Cafe for Thai, Saigon for Vietnamese or Gondola Italian Restaurant for Italian.
Best Breakfast Places in Mount Airy
Barney’s Cafe
Rusty Rooster Southern Breakfast
Snappy Lunch
Derby Restaurant
Olympia Family Restaurant
Best Lunch Places in Mount Airy
Snappy Lunch
Little Richard’s BBQ
Leon’s Burger Express
O’Dell’s Sandwich Shop
Chase N Charlie
Best Dinner Places in Mount Airy
13 Bones Restaurant
Ocie’s Restaurant
Leon’s Burger Express
Old North State
The Copper Pot
Mount Airy Wedding Weekend Itinerary
If you’re coming to a wedding at Serre, we recommend you take at least three days to enjoy the area! Here is our suggested itinerary.
Friday
Arrive midmorning
12:00pm Grab lunch at Mi Casa on Main
1:30pm Enjoy a private wine flight tasting at Serre (schedule here)
3:00pm Check into vacation rental
4:00pm Head over to Old North State winery for another tasting
5:30pm Dinner at Old North State
8:00pm Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tour
Saturday
9am Start with breakfast at Barney’s Cafe
10am Walk off breakfast at the Ararat Greenway or spend the morning browsing antique shops
12:00pm Grab a quick lunch at snappy lunch then return to cabin to get ready for wedding
3-10pm Wedding shenanigans
Sunday
10am Lazy brunch at Olympia Family Restaurant
11:30am Head over to Stone Mountain State Park for a quick hike before heading home
Mount Airy Three-Day Itinerary
Friday
Midmorning: Start at Stone Mountain State Park and enjoy a picnic lunch or hike
4:00pm Check into Cabin
6:00pm Casual dinner at Leon’s Burger Express
7:00pm Grab a beer at White Elephant Beer Co
8:00pm Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tour
Saturday
Morning: Pick your adventure: bike on the Surry County Scenic bikeway, go for a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway or spend the morning antiquing.
Lunch: Mi Casa on Main
Afternoon: Download a PDF of the Surry County Wine Trail and spend the afternoon exploring the local flavors
I hope this guide will be helpful as you visit Mount Airy! As always, if you have any questions with anything, don’t hesitate to reach out!