Life inevitably comes with a lot of time dedicated to work and responsibility, but it’s just as important to set aside time to get out and explore new and exciting destinations from time to time. There’s something wonderfully refreshing about setting down the to-do list and focusing on vacation fun instead and when you’re looking for the perfect place to do exactly that, you’ll find plenty of reasons to set your travel sights on the Mount Airy and Yadkin Valley areas of North Carolina. This year-round destination is truly one-of-a-kind and whether you’re looking to be entertained, get into nature, or spend time relaxing and soaking up great surrounding scenery, Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley are sure to inspire. Learn more about Mount Airy and what it has to offer below!
A Small Town with Big Fun to Offer Travelers
If you’re on the hunt for a vacation destination with the perfect pairing of small-town charm and big-time fun, Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley have you covered. Known and loved by many as the birthplace of Andy Griffith, Mount Airy is a place where you can certainly embrace a sense of nostalgia while also indulging in amazing modern flavors, tours, time in nature, shopping, museum-hopping, and more. You’ll find Mount Airy in the heart of the lush Yadkin Valley located on the west edge of the state within Surry County. A visit this way is an opportunity to turn some of those fan-favorite TV moments into a real-life experience if you’re a fan of The Andy Griffith Show.
Mount Airy is also a place where you can make the most of participating in a long lineup of annual events, spend quality time shopping on Main Street, explore delicious local eateries, or head out into nature when you’re someone who loves to hike and bike their way through a stay. Of course, for wine aficionados, a trip this way doesn’t seem complete without time set aside to enjoy time on the wine trail that runs through the Yadkin Valley. The many vineyards and wineries here are not only palate-pleasing but packed with opportunities to savor sensational views too across terrain filled with lush, rolling hills.
While there’s a lot that travelers already love about Mount Airy , there is just as much Yadkin Valley information that you might not be aware of that make this locale even more appealing! The following are a few that are sure to inspire and are worth keeping in mind the next time travel plans bring you in this direction.
1. Before the Charm of Tourism Came a Booming Textile Economy
When you visit Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley today, you’ll find yourself immersed in a charming small-town aesthetic that speaks to days gone by and a time when life was just a little bit simpler. It’s easy to assume that it was always this way, but as any great destination on the map, Mount Airy has a rich history and tells a story of transition if you look far enough back. While the natural beauty of Mount Airy has always prevailed thanks to its location that frames the Blue Ridge Mountains, its placement also made it a prime stagecoach stop along the Ararat River before it was ever formally established. Mount Airy was finally incorporated by 1885 and its many natural resources quickly saw it become a hub for economic growth in the way of textile, furniture, and tobacco production. In fact, it was once considered among the top of North Carolina’s largest producers of these goods.
2. It Hosts a Robust Wine Country to Explore and Enjoy
The fertile terrain of the Yadkin Valley has naturally long lent itself to robust growth potential when it comes to grapes, but it hasn’t been until relatively recently that vineyards and wineries have begun to flourish in the area. The emergence of wine country around Mount Airy has been endlessly exciting for locals and visitors alike who have seen the wine region boom to over 70 wineries since 2002! Those who are looking forward to heading to Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley specifically to take time to explore the wineries will be delighted to learn that the Yadkin Valley is the state’s largest and first AVA. In total, it spans over 1.4 million acres of valley terrain, and a portion of that total is fully dedicated to the Surry County Wine Trail packed with 18 top-rated wineries to explore. Shelton Vineyard is one of the largest vineyard estates in the Southeastern region of the U.S. and is located a mere 15 minutes from Mount Airy. When you visit the Yadkin Valley wineries today, you’ll find yourself in the heart of a place that has a special gift for producing French-American hybrids and Vinifera which produce some mesmerizing cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, Chambourcin, petit manseng, merlot, pinot grigio, petit Verdot, Riesling, sauvignon blanc, syrah, vidal blanc, Tannat, and Sangiovese varietals to name a few of many.
3. It’s a Haven for Music Enthusiasts
It’s fair to say that Mount Airy is well known as the birthplace of Andy Griffith, but if you’re visiting and you have a passion for music in place, you’ll be delighted to learn that it’s also home to some of music’s most iconic names. Artists like Benton Flippen, Donna Fargo, and Tommy Jarrell all called Mount Airy home and influenced by a combination of Irish tune and country, created a genre that’s today known as Round Peak music. This distinct regional style is sometimes referred to as “old-time” music in the community and performances are designed to bring towns together in the name of fun. While this style of music hit its peak in the early 60s and 70s, today, those with an ear for that “old-time music” can step into the shoes of the genre’s founders every time they land in Mount Airy.
4. It’s Home to a Great Legacy of Bluegrass Radio
Music lovers have even more reason to celebrate their trip to Mount Airy as it’s also home to a great legacy of Bluegrass radio! If Bluegrass happens to be your musical styling of choice, you’ll be thrilled to learn that WPAQ 740 AM radio station in Mount Airy has been operating its radio show with a focus on Bluegrass music known as Merry-Go-Round since 1948. This makes it the country’s second longest-running radio show just being The Grand Ole Opry. During the course of its time on air, Merry-Go-Round has featured a long lineup of iconic Bluegrass artists including the Carter Family.
5. Main Street Houses Hidden Gems
When a little retail therapy would go a long way toward your fun getaway in Mount Airy, you’ll find Main Street hosts a bunch of hidden gem stops that you won’t want to miss out on while you’re in town. Whether you’re on the hunt for souvenirs, apparel, home goods, or skincare products, you’ll be pleased to find that this popular area of town is in fact packed with lesser-known storefronts where you can locate amazing finds year-round.
Over at the Keswick Candle Company, you can take time to browse an inventory of candles and lotions that are produced using goat milk. Swing by Farmhouse Spits and Spoons and you’ll find you can easily stock up on kitchenware, but they also carry a variety of spices as well as fun aprons, totes, and all art. The Addition is a must-visit storefront on Main Street when you’re looking for a great women’s boutique to check out that frequently turns over inventory and has a unique selection to browse.
At Pages Books & Coffee, you can refuel for the shopping fun ahead at their charming coffee bar or take some time to browse the many titles and specialty gifts on the shelves. Treat your sweet tooth to a well-deserved moment over at Bear Creek Fudge when you’re spending time on Main Street, but keep in mind that Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies is equally appealing. In the event that you’re traveling to Mount Airy with your canine companion included in your group and you’re looking to pick up some fun accessories or treats for them, The Dapper Hound on Main Street has everything you might need.
6. The Yadkin Valley Has a Rich Tribal History
History buffs heading to Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley will find that there’s a lot to explore in the way of the Yadkin Valley’s tribal past. Before it was ever known for its connection to Andy Griffith or boasted its robust winery scene, this area was home to the Siouan tribe. They inhabited the lands here long before European settlers arrived, and they shared space with the nearby Tutelo and Saura tribes as well. As English, Irish, Scottish, and German settlers moved into the area, the landscape changed but today, the name still remains firmly rooted in Siouan culture. Yadkin translates from their language to mean “Place of Big Trees.”
7. The Andy Griffith Museum Is Designed to Impress
Over at 218 Rockford Street in Mount Airy, the Andy Griffith Museum in town is built into an aesthetic that’s endlessly charming. However, don’t let the idea that this museum looks quaint fool you; it’s in fact brimming over with incredible artifacts of all kinds! Stepping inside you’ll find this museum is the permanent place for the largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia in the world. It’s located right next door to the Andy Griffith Playhouse and just half a mile from his boyhood home. Visitors to the museum will find displays and exhibits showcasing hundreds of items commemorating Andy Griffith’s life and career. They’ll also be able to get up close to items collected by his friend Emmett Forrest. You’ll get to see the iconic signs from the show that read “Justic of the Peace” and “Sheriff” when you drop by the museum and there are plenty of artifacts celebrating Don Knotts here as well!
8. Pilot Mountain Isn’t Just for Television, It’s Well Worth Exploring
Fans of the Andy Griffith Show will be very familiar with Mount Pilot, but when you head to Mount Airy to explore, you’ll find that the made-for-tv reference is just as impressive in real life. Pilot Mountain is found right in nearby Pilot Mountain State Park, a popular place for Mount Airy visitors to spend time in nature, hike, bike, and wildlife-watch their way through a stay.
9. You Can Book a Squad Car Tour of Town or a Ghost Trolley Tour in October
Strolling around Mount Airy on your own is a terrific way to get a feel for the lay of the land and see some of those iconic Andry Griffith Show hot spots with your own eyes. That said, Mount Airy also hosts one-of-a-kind tours to take that provide even more insight and let you be a part of those tv scenes you fell in love with. Don’t hesitate to book a squad car tour while you’re in town which has you hitting up all the top show destinations in authentic Ford Galaxie style. Another unique tour of town to take if you’re here in October is the Historic Mount Airy Ghost Trolley which departs from Main Street and offers up an hour of spooky fun for all!
10. Mount Airy Hosts Exciting Events Year-Round
While the multi-day festival known as Mayberry Days is a popular one in Mount Airy each September drawing in large crowds from near and far, the event calendar in Mount Airy is vast and varied. If you happen to be here in May, you can stop by the one-day similar festival experience known as the Mayberry Farm Fest! This is hosted in downtown Mount Airy on the third Saturday in May and includes a great parade, exciting exhibits, live music, games, and a classic and antique farm equipment showcase too.
Book Your Stay in Mount Airy with Carolina Getaway Cabins Today
When travel plans bring you to Mayberry, the team at Carolina Getaway Cabins has the beautiful, spacious, and conveniently located vacation rentals in place you need to top off your getaway in luxury and style. Our larger rentals are ideal for a family reunion in the area while our smaller property options are picture-perfect for a solo adventure or getaway with friends. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ll help you get settled into a home-away-from-home that keeps you close to all the places you’re excited to explore while enjoying amazing amenities, features, and furnishings at your fingertips too. We look forward to seeing you in North Carolina soon!
