We Went To Mayberry – Mt Airy NC

Joan and I are huge Andy Griffith fans. We watch the old reruns with Andy, Barney, Opie and the rest of the gang on a regular basis. We were looking for some summer time in the North Carolina Mountains and found a number of nice campgrounds near Mt. Airy, NC – the town used as the model for the Andy Griffith’s Show’s Mayberry. Staying nearby at MayBerry Campground, we spent the day visiting the Andy Griffith Museum and the town of Mt. Airy.

Andy Griffith Museum

When we think of Mayberry, front is center is Andy Griffith filling the role as Andy Taylor. The Andy Griffith Museum has a large collection of memorabilia about Andy growing up in Mt. Airy along with artifacts from the Andy Griffith show and later his work from Matlock. The collection is extensive with props for Andy, Barney, and Goober plus the desk and surroundings from the program’s courthouse, wardrobe, scripts, pictures, and so much more. The curators did a great job honoring Andy Griffith’s legacy and his contributions to TV and film.

Eng and Chang Bunker

Don’t leave the museum area without taking the steps down to the Eng and Chang Bunker museum located on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Eng and Chang, known as the famous Siamese Twins, migrated to Mt. Airy in 1830’s. Marrying sisters, Adelaide and Sarah Yate, the two families produced 22 children. The twins making their fortune touring the world, now became successful Surry County, NC landowners and farmers. The museum provides a good view of their life and the large family of Bunker’s that followed.

Downtown Mt. Airy

But our visit didn’t stop at the museum. Downtown Mt. Airy is a beautiful town with great period architecture and everything Mayberry. The downtown area offers a large number of restaurants from basic diner to the more elaborate fare. We enjoyed visiting one of the many soda fountains, a flashback to the 50’s and 60’s. And if you need Mayberry souvenirs, no problem. Gifts shops galore can be found with everything and I mean everything Mayberry!

Visit a little bit of Mayberry

As we left downtown Mt. Airy, we stumbled upon a tourist spot that was created to look like a small part of Mayberry from the TV show. We found the courthouse (with Joan locked up in Otis’ cell), the Mayberry Hotel, and of course, Wally’s Service Station. This is a great stop to pick up one more Mayberry trinket, plus see the reproduction of a piece of the TV town. And if you want the full Mayberry experience, ride through Mt. Airy in one of the replica sheriff cars. Just too much fun.

The Mt. Airy and Mayberry experience was so much fun. Just one of those great opportunities why Joan and love RV life.

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel? Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.
 

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