Planning our trip and what to expect
When we set out on our road trip my travel companion has long wanted to go see Mt Airy, North Carolina. So glad we added it to our stops! What fun to rekindle the memories of a simpler time when the fictitious town of Mayberry was something we all knew and loved.
Mt. Airy, North Carolina / Mayberry
This adorable city of Mt. Airy is where TV Star Andy Griffith was born was and the town that many believe the popular 60’s TV Series “The Andy Griffith Show” was based on. The show first aired in 1960 and finished in the Top Ten in the Nielsen ratings during all 8 seasons (249 episodes) and ended in 1968. Today, you can visit many places that the show made household names in our youth such as Floyd’s Barber Shop, the Mayberry Jail and Snappy Lunch. They also have an Aunt Bea’s Room, Wally’s Service Station and the Mayberry Courthouse. You can even visit and stay in Andy’s childhood home! Tours are offered by one company in old squad cars to many of the places and while that sounded like great fun, we were not able to get a booking due to our limited time in town but the reviews said it was great fun and the guides were very knowledgeable and made the experience very memorable. I’ll leave a link to the city visitors guide below so you can book some fun of your own and enjoy your trip back to a simpler time (and whistling that tune 😉) like we did!
Andy Griffith
While Andy Griffith may have been best known for that show, The Andy Griffith Museum will leave you shocked at all that he accomplished in TV, and film as well as in his personal life. He brought back his love of acting to this town helping create a Playhouse there as well. Both are located in the same parking lot… it gets a bit confusing finding it if you don’t know that.
A Surprise! Chang and Eng!
What we didn’t know before going was that this is also the home of the famous conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker. They lived in Mt Airy from 1845 through 1874 when they died at the age of 62. These remarkable men created quite a family and were great business men in Mt Airy. They hold a place of honor in the history of the city with their many heirs. Eng having had 12 children and Chang having 10. There is an adjacent building that displays a great deal of information about their history and how they worked creatively to co-create quite an empire and have many children. We found it a fascinating and inspiring story of overcoming obstacles many of us can’t imagine!
Book your own trip down memory lane to a simple time!
To book your own fun visit – Mt Airy information
Ed says
I always love how perfectly simple and informative. Never too long.
Jeanie says
I’m glad you are enjoying them as much as I am enjoying writing them!
Debbie says
Another great, informative article. I enjoy finding out about such unique places to add to my own bucket list. Thank you for sharing!
Jeanie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! That bucket list continues to grow with every trip I take!