There are times when the stresses of life can be cured with a staycation and other moments when nothing works wonders quite like getting out of town and discovering some place exciting and new! When you find yourself longing for a getaway where you can enjoy scenic surroundings, rich history, amazing shopping, and sensational dining options as well, Mount Airy, North Carolina has you covered. While this inviting vacation destination is one that appeals to travelers all year long, it’s a particularly appealing place to set your sights at the end of summer before the academic and work rush of fall comes back into full swing. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some time away on your own, can’t wait to make it a romantic end-of-summer trip to Mount Airy with the one you love most, or you’re finding time in a busy schedule to spend quality time with family and friends, planning a Mt Airy vacation for August or September is a must! It’s a great time of year to pair your travel plans with Labor Day fun or a back-to-school getaway that will have everyone feeling refreshed before homework comes into the picture once again. The following guide will give you a great starting place when you’re ready to get your end of summer trip to Mount Airy on the books.
Traveling This Way at the End of Summer Is a Breeze
The last thing anyone wants from their end of summer trip is a stressful route leading to their final destination. Fortunately, Mount Airy, North Carolina is a convenient location on the map for travelers to access no matter when they head out, or what their point of origin might happen to be. If you have plans to fly into town, airports in Roanoke, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Asheville are all great options to consider. No matter what airport you end up landing at, you’ll find they’re designed with convenient car rental options to enjoy right on-site so you can get behind the wheel and on your way to fun in no time. Depending on what airport you choose, your travel time to Mount Airy will range anywhere from three hours to five hours which means plenty of time to enjoy the view and landscapes along the way. If you want to skip out on added travel for your end of summer adventure and get right to making the most of your time in Mount Airy instead, you can always consider flying into the Greensboro/High Point Airport instead. Similarly, the Mount Airy/Surry County Airport is an easy option for those who are flying on smaller aircraft or arriving on private planes.
Once you arrive in Mount Airy, your rental car will give you options to explore well beyond the heart of town whenever you’re in the mood to do so. That said, if you find yourself longing to linger for a while, you can easily leave your car at your vacation rental and walk or bike around downtown instead. Local shops like Mount Airy Bike Rentals, Mount Airy E-Bike Rentals, and Zoomies’ Bike Rentals all offer convenient options when you’re excited to pedal your way through a Mt Airy summer experience alongside family and friends.
Weather Expectations in Mount Airy in August and September
There’s certainly something to enjoy in Mount Airy in every season, but those who are heading this way in August and September to savor an end of summer trip will find the weather is typically extra enjoyable! August in Mount Airy often sees daily highs still lingering in the upper 80s giving visitors every opportunity to get out and explore their surroundings with plenty of sunscreen in hand. By the evening hours, temperatures typically drop comfortably into the 60s making it easy to want to linger on restaurant patios long after the sun has gone down. If you push your end of summer trip to Mount Airy to September, you’ll find daytime highs drop slightly to reach the lower 80s. Evenings dip into the 50s meaning you’ll likely want some layers, but you’ll still enjoy that after dinner drink outdoors under the stars.
August Events to Add to Your Mt Airy Vacation Itinerary
A highlight of heading to Mount Airy for an end of summer getaway is always the lineup of annual events and festivities on the local calendar that visitors can enjoy participating in while they’re in town. A fan-favorite experience to take part in when travel plans bring you here in August is the highly anticipated Front Porch Fest! Participants will have access to four days of family-friendly fun when they add this event to their lineup which is hosted in nearby Patrick, County Virginia at Spirithaven Farm in Stuart. Front Porch Fest is a fun and vibrant music festival at 677 Spirithaven Lane that’s made even more appealing each and every year by the fact that the Blue Ridge Mountains work as a natural and thrilling backdrop to amazing performances. Both national and regional acts perform at this four-day festival with the lineup of musicians in years past spanning more than 30 bands. The event is organized by One Family Productions and those who drop by to enjoy the festival will have easy access to fantastic fare and vendors, a wide variety of engaging kid’s activities on-site, complimentary yoga sessions to sign up for, and local craft brew stands so enthusiasts can curb just about any craving or thirst that might come along.
September Events to Enjoy
A September Mt Airy vacation is just as inviting for end of summer travelers looking to make the most of the fun as it marks the arrival of Mayberry Days. This is yet another family-friendly gathering in town that’s loved by locals and visitors alike each and every year. From the fantastic live music to the Andy Griffith Show-inspired acts, Mayberry Days pays homage to simpler times at every turn. Taking part in Mayberry Days gives guests opportunities to be a part of sing-along sessions, game areas where you can enjoy a round of checkers in good company, and a full lineup of impressive vendors to check out when you’re looking for a tasty bite or two. A fun golf tournament is also built into the Mayberry Days experience in September for those who are really looking forward to time well spent on the greens.
Delicious Destinations to Check Out
For the food enthusiast traveling to Mount Airy at the end of summer looking for palate-pleasing moments in town, there’s no shortage of options to enjoy! If after a day of end of summer fun you find yourself longing for a dish that features delightful seafood selections, you’ll want to be sure to make your way to Libby Hill Seafood at least once during your visit. This inviting eatery is located at 199 Mayberry Mall on Highway 52 North and visitors can drop by to enjoy a bite to eat Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm or on Sundays until 7:30 pm. Some of the highlights on the menu here include scallops, fish bites, clam strips, deviled crab, shrimp cocktail, and more! You can’t go wrong when you order up one of their mouthwatering seafood sandwiches while the New England clam chowder paired with a fried platter is just as likely to hit the spot. Of course, if you want to go another direction and combine your fish dish with something completely different, the menu at Libby Hill Seafood also hosts burgers too.
If you’re spending a Mt Airy summer trip with the entire family in tow and you’re looking for a breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner stop to enjoy with something for everyone on the menu, the Olympia Family Restaurant has you covered. Head over to 602 Linville Road between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday or from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm on Sundays to make the most of their vast and varied menu that will appeal to even the pickiest eater in your traveling crew. The ambiance here is decidedly casual and laid-back with friendly service being the cherry on top that typically brings families of travelers back time and again. Once you’ve settled into a booth, you’ll find this eatery offers up a variety of home-style dishes to enjoy defined by generous portions that leave everyone satisfied. If you swing by as part of the breakfast crowd, options like pancakes, bacon, omelets, and hashbrowns are sure to delight while dinnertime patrons can make the most of menu options like pasta, seafood, soups, salads, and burgers upon request.
Additional Activities to Make Sure You Experience at the End of Summer
An end of summer journey to Mount Airy is the ideal time of year to enjoy the fruits of the Yadkin Valley’s labor. Mount Airy sits within a lush landscape that lends itself well to the production of savory wine selections. At the end of summer, you’re going to want to set aside time to check out some of the most inviting vineyards in the region where options like Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Merlot, Pino Grigio, and Chardonnay are all bottled at their best. The Yadkin Valley is a designated American Viticultural Area and happens to also be the first of its kind in all of North Carolina! Set your sights on exploring the Surry County Wine Trail while you’re here this year and you’ll enjoy access to more than 18 regional wineries that thrive thanks to their place within a temperature climate complete with loamy soil. Taking a wine tour during your end of summer visit is a great way to experience the flavors of the region while also connecting with wine producers and getting to learn more about their process.
Another must-do during your end of summer trip to Mount Airy is to take some time to explore the highlights of Andy Griffith’s hometown! Fans of the show will find there’s no shortage of options to enjoy here whether you’re looking to visit Aunt Bea’s Restaurant, can’t wait to step foot in Floyd’s Barber Shop for yourself, or you’re excited to tour Andy Griffith’s actual childhood home. Whether you take a single tour or do them all, it’s a fun way to keep the spirit of the fan-favorite 1960s hit alive and well.
After touring, those with a passion for heading out and exploring the great outdoors will find an afternoon at Pilot Mountain State Park is a great way to top off an end of summer journey in this direction. The park is open all year long and a terrific place to add to your itinerary when you’re looking to enjoy some quality time hiking and biking or wildlife-watching, canoeing and even horseback riding while you’re in town. The views here are incredible and at the end of summer, you’ll miss the crowds and be able to truly relish some tranquility in nature when you drop by.
