I’ve Lived in the South for Decades and I Keep Returning to This Nostalgic North Carolina Town—With 40+ Nearby Wineries

Image of aerial view of a road leading towards Mount Airy. Credit: bilanol/Adobe Stock

By Kristy Tolley | Published on August 6, 2026 for Travel + Leisure

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Sleep in a “museum” with an overnight stay in the former home of legendary actor Andy Griffith.
• Learn about the life and legacy of Mount Airy’s most famous twin brothers, Eng and Chang Bunker.
• Refuel at a number of fantastic eateries, including Snappy Lunch and Barney’s Cafe.
• Take a wine tour in one of the country’s most underrated wine regions, the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area.
• Sample genuine Surry Sonker and more at Miss Angels Heavenly Pies.

The Carolinas have been my home for almost three decades. During that time, I’ve learned which small towns live up to the hype, and which quietly overdeliver. There’s one place I find myself returning to again and again that does both, skillfully blending pop-culture nostalgia, Blue Ridge outdoor access, and a surprisingly fantastic wine region (I say this as a reformed skeptic).

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Airy, North Carolina, wears its “Mayberry” moniker well. As the idyllic hometown of Andy Griffith, it inspired the setting of the popular ’60s TV program, The Andy Griffith Show.

“Mount Airy isn’t trying to be everywhere else—and that’s exactly why it stands out,” Jessica Icenhour Roberts, executive director of the Mount Airy Tourism Development Authority, tells Travel + Leisure. “It offers a true sense of place, rooted in tradition but evolving with purpose, where the pace slows down just enough to remind you what travel is supposed to feel like.”

The spirit of Mayberry is still alive and well in Mount Airy, which you’ll find through its welcoming atmosphere, sense of community, simple outdoor diversions, and a huge dose of Americana.

“Mount Airy is not a recreation of a small town; it is one,” Roberts says. “Downtown storefronts are locally owned, shopkeepers know your name, and visitors often remark that the hospitality feels natural rather than scripted. That authenticity is increasingly rare—and increasingly valuable.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Aerial view of downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina. Credit: Oak City Drone/Adobe Stock

Andy Griffith Home Place

If you want to lean into Andy Griffith core, book a room at Andy Griffith Home Place, which served as his boyhood home through high school. The quaint two-bedroom bungalow oozes vintage vibe with its 1930s-style decor, antiques, and bits of Andy Griffith memorabilia throughout—the lemon-yellow kitchen feels like a sunny embodiment of Mayberry itself. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance of the downtown area.

Heart and Soul Bed and Breakfast

Located in Mount Airy’s Historic District, Heart and Soul Bed and Breakfast provides a cozy stay for visitors seeking character, comfort, and a sense of place. Built in the early 1900s, it was the home of William Edward Merritt, a successful local businessman who launched Merritt Hardware and helped develop Renfro Textile Industry, a major player in Mount Airy’s economic history. Guests can choose from five themed luxury rooms, all with en suite bathrooms. Antique furnishings, clawfoot tubs, and upscale linens create warm environs. Early risers will find a hot carafe of free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at their door by 7 a.m., and breakfast is served community-style at 9 a.m.

The Balladeer Hotel

A Marriott Tribute Hotel, The Balladeer Hotel pays homage to the region’s rich bluegrass and old-time storytelling music heritage. Housed within the historic Spencer’s Mill Building, the property features 70 rooms designed to reflect the town’s textile and music history. One of The Balladeer Hotel’s most unique features is the self-serve Tap Wall, which features a rotating selection of local North Carolina beers and wines in a relaxed, music-inspired setting. Fablewood, a Southern-style steakhouse, is set to open at the hotel in fall 2026.

Best Things to Do

Vineyards near Mount Airy, North Carolina. Credit: bryanpollard/Adobe Stock

Outdoor Adventures 

Mount Airy is situated where the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Yadkin Valley, making it a prime spot for endless exploration. Hiking opportunities abound at nearby Pilot Mountain State Park, marked by its striking quartzite knob that once served as a geographic landmark for the Saura people. Visitors can also take to the waterways, as two miles of the Yadkin River flow through the park. The little-known Yadkin River Section offers access to a paddle-in campsite, a fishing island, a picnic area, and a small boat launch for kayaks and canoes. The eight-mile Granite City Greenway by Mount Airy’s southern border is ideal for walking or biking, with several launches for kayaks, canoes, and tubes along the trail.

Andy Griffith Museum 

This nondescript brick building is a treasure trove of TV nostalgia. The Andy Griffith Museum holds the world’s most comprehensive collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia. Exhibits trace Griffith’s journey from hometown boy to Hollywood star. Peruse personal items like his photographs, musical instruments, and handwritten letters, plus Hollywood ephemera, including original props and clothing from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, as well as show scripts. The Mayberry jail cell replica is particularly popular with visitors. Nearby life-sized cutouts of Sheriff Barney Fife and frequent jail patron Otis Campbell make for an ideal photo opp. 

Siamese Twins Museum

Across the street from the Andy Griffith Museum sits the Siamese Twins Museum, which is definitely worth your time. It chronicles the lives of Eng and Chang Bunker, conjoined twin brothers whose renown originated the phrase “Siamese Twins.” They were brought to the U.S. by a Scottish merchant in 1829 to participate in traveling exhibitions throughout North America and Europe. Eng and Chang eventually settled in Mount Airy, married two local sisters, and had 21 children between them. The museum chronicles the twins’ lives and careers through family artifacts, including a double chair, Eng’s tour trunk, and Chang’s crutches, flute, and handwritten will.

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History

Located downtown in a 1905 building that once served as the W.E. Merritt Company mercantile store, Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is a rich repository of regional artifacts. The 35,000-square-foot space spans four floors, with ample room for exhibits featuring historical photographs and relics from the prehistoric era to modern day. Learn about the area’s earliest Native American inhabitants, the Saura, plus exhibits about the area’s granite quarrying, farming, and textile industries. Roberts recommends joining one of the museum’s ghost tours, offered Friday and Saturday evenings from May through November.

Mayberry Courthouse and Jail

Insert yourself into The Andy Griffith Show with a visit to the Mayberry Courthouse and Jail, located on Main Street. It’s not the real one, of course, but it’s an impressive replica complete with Sheriff Andy Taylor’s desk, phone, and typewriter, plus two jail cells you can open and go inside. Take a seat at Andy’s desk and reenact asking Sarah, the switchboard operator, to “get a line to Opie, if you please.” Next door, the Mayberry Motor Inn gift shop offers every imaginable Mayberry souvenir, including mugs, cookbooks, and apparel.

Best Shopping

Storefronts along Main Street in Mount Airy. Credit: jonbilous/Adobe Stock

Opie’s Candy Store

Locals have satiated their sweet teeth at Opie’s Candy Store for over two decades, and for good reason. Barrels and bins teem with over 500 different varieties of confectionery, including popular picks like giant Whirly Pops and the “Grandma’s Purse Candy” mix packed with classic treats like Bit-O-Honey, Chic-O-Sticks, peanut butter bars, and butterscotch candies. Not a candy fan? Cool off with an ice-cream cone piled with your favorite flavor (there are 23 to choose from).

Pages Books & Coffee

When owner Cynthia Taylor hit the glass ceiling at her corporate job in Canada, she did the only logical thing: She went online and bought a bookstore in Mount Airy. Since acquiring Pages Books & Coffee, Taylor has built a thriving community through a consistent cadence of book talks, wine events, local author events, and book signings. The store also offers a nice selection of locally made art and crafts. Pages is a cozy space with a well-curated selection of titles. Fuel your reading with a fresh handcrafted brew and a baked treat supplied by the bookstore’s neighbor, Twilight Farms.

Wyatt’s Trading Post

Every town needs a one-stop souvenir shop, and Wyatt’s Trading Post is Mount Airy’s. You’ll find an impressive selection of collectibles from brands such as Boyds, Willow Tree, Jim Shore, and others. The store also boasts a good offering of clothing, home decor, jewelry, and a variety of tchotchkes. 

Slate’s Mercantile

I could spend hours combing the shelves in Slate’s Mercantile, where all my favorite items are neatly displayed in one place. The artist-driven shop keeps a rotating stock of woodcrafts, baskets, jewelry, quilted toys, and glassworks, many of which are locally crafted. Beyond an eclectic array of art, you’ll find loads of high-end gifts, including letter-pressed stationery and authentic French lavender soaps.

Miss Angels Heavenly Pies

My love for Miss Angels Heavenly Pies began during a stop along the Surry Sonker Trail, a route that highlights places in the region that specialize in sonker, a deep-dish fruit dessert. It didn’t take more than one bite to seal the deal. Owner Angela Shur (Miss Angel) is as lovely as her nickname implies, and her baked goods are out of this world. A large portion of the fruit used in the recipes comes from Shur’s 65-acre orchard just outside of town. Glass cases are stocked with cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and other sweet items, as well as savory pot pies and quiches. The bakery also sells gluten-free items next door.

Best Restaurants

The exterior of Snappy Lunch. Credit: jonbilous/Adobe Stock

Snappy Lunch

A local favorite since 1923, Snappy Lunch is more than just a popular eatery—it’s a slice of history. The restaurant’s fame even spans beyond Mount Airy. An early episode of The Andy Griffith Show included a mention of Snappy Lunch, making it the only existing Mount Airy business to receive a shout-out in the show.

Several diner-style dishes and classic Southern breakfast fare are on the menu, including BLT sandwiches and hearty cheeseburgers. However, the diner’s World Famous Pork Chop Sandwich is its signature dish—a breaded pork chop sandwich topped with chili, coleslaw, onions, and mustard.

“This place also has an amazing breakfast,” Roberts says. “That’s when many of the locals eat at Snappy—early in the morning.”

Barney’s Cafe

Another spot loved by both locals and visitors, Barney’s Cafe truly leans into the Mayberry vibe, with photos of The Andy Griffith Show’s Barney Fife (Don Knotts) and other memorabilia lining the walls. Barney’s is open for breakfast and lunch and specializes in Southern comfort food. Post up on a stool at the counter, or eat your meal at a table. At either spot, you can fill up with a country breakfast plate with all the fixings or try a Barney Burger, with bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and mayonnaise served on a toasted bun. Whatever you order, save room for a slice of the restaurant’s pies, made fresh daily.

Thirsty Souls

Bringing European brewing traditions to Mount Airy, Slovakian natives Jan and Maria Kriska have created quite a following at Thirsty Souls. Its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere is rivaled only by its creative beer options, such as the Cryptic Kolsch crisp, a traditional German brew, and the White Ghost Hefe, a Bavarian-style wheat beer. 

“It’s in an old funeral parlor, which is a unique story that ties to the name,” Roberts says. “It’s also a great place for music and food.”

Pair your pint with a wood-fired artisan pizza, warm pretzel bites, or a Scandinavian tray (cucumber slices topped with goat cheese and smoked salmon). In addition to beer, Thirsty Souls offers an impressive selection of wines from the Yadkin Valley and beyond.

Best Time to Visit

Aerial view of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Credit: Eifel Kreutz/Adobe Stock

Mount Airy is a fantastic destination year-round. However, many travelers plan their visit around local festivals, such as the town’s signature event, Mayberry Days. Held in late September, it celebrates The Andy Griffith Show with themed events, games, and musical performances. Sunny days and moderate temperatures from the spring through early fall are ideal for winery visits and mountain hikes.

How to Get There

Downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina. Credit: J. Michael Jones/Adobe Stock

Located within North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region, Mount Airy is accessible by air or car. The closest major airport is the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, North Carolina, about 56 miles from Mount Airy. Drivers have a few options, including  US-52 (locally known as the Andy Griffith Parkway), I-77, I-74, NC-89, and US-601. The town is also just 12 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway, accessible via the Fancy Gap exit at Milepost 199.4.

Neighborhoods to Visit

Yadkin Valley Wineries

Mount Airy sits in the middle of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), home to over 40 wineries, and you can get to several of them within 20 minutes. The Surry County Wine Trail showcases more than 15 wineries and vineyards, plus a handful of breweries. Among them is Round Peak Vineyards, which has both dry and sweet wines, plus cider, beer, and mead. Enjoy live music on the patio every Saturday, while soaking in fantastic mountain views. Also, the sprawling 80-acre Jolo Winery & Vineyards is a peaceful spot to enjoy the brand’s offering of easy-drinking whites, smooth reds, and sweet wines. Linger longer with a meal at End Posts Restaurant, serving elevated Southern-style cuisine with a side of vineyard views.

How to Get Around

Mount Airy’s compact downtown makes it convenient to explore shops, museums, and eateries on foot, but you will need a car if you want to explore the surrounding area. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft do operate in the area, though you may experience higher wait times.

If you’re looking for a fun, unconventional way to see Mount Airy, hop into a replica 1960s-era Ford Galaxie police car for a guided experience with Squad Car Tours. “Each tour is different, and you learn something new on each tour,” Roberts says.

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