How to Visit Mount Airy, North Carolina
Mount Airy, North Carolina, located less then 100 miles north of Charlotte, is known for two historical oddities; one real and one fictional, but both functioning as a means to entertain the masses. Chang and Eng Bunker, better known as the original Siamese Twins, settled, raised a family, and died in Mount Airy after a career of touring with P.T. Barnum. Many of the area residents who have descended from the Bunker clan have Oriental features. That was the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, with the invention of television, a local son named Andy Griffith acquired fame and decided to fictionalize Mount Airy by changing the name to Mayberry. The courthouse, Wally’s station, the diner and Floyd’s Barber Shop are all on Main Street. The town embraces the show by hosting Mayberry Days, generally in September, where surviving cast members appear, blue grass music plays and a throng of loyal fans arrive to honor their favorite show.
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Instructions
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Fly into Charlotte International Airport and access the Billy Graham Parkway north to Interstate 85. Take 85 eastward to the Interstate 77 interchange. Go north on 77, out of Charlotte, toward Virginia. At Exit 100, access State Highway 89 toward Mt. Airy. The highway proceeds downtown and crosses Main Street.
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Stop at the Mount Airy Visitors Center to inquire about the amazing lives of the Bunker family and their ability to have two separate wives and raise separate families all while conjoined.
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See the Bunker grave site. The visitor accesses State Highway 601 south from Mount Airy, until noticing Old Highway 601 on the left. Take the left and after crossing over Interstate 74, White Plains Baptist Church is on the right. The cemetery is in the churchyard.
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Return to Mount Airy and park on Main Street near the vicinity of the movie house. Stroll Main Street and shop the quaint stores that offer everything from antiques and souvenirs to gourmet coffee and microbrews.
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Note the bench out in front of Floyds. Go inside and get a haircut. You’ll be photographed twice with “Floyd”: one picture goes among thousands posted on the walls and the other picture is to keep as a souvenir.
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Order a slawburger at the Snappy Diner. The three stool counter is a hoot, and the food is cooked on a grill at the front window. The waitresses are a friendly sort.
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Return to the automobile and drive several blocks down to Wally’s Station. Two old tow trucks are out front next to the vintage gas pumps.
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Go inside Wally’s and purchase a Grape Nehi.
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Purchase tickets and take a Mayberry Squad Car Tour in a vintage 1962 Ford Fairlane police car.
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Drive to the Andy Griffith Playhouse on Rockford Street, which is off Main one block south of Highway 89. The playhouse also serves as a museum to Mr. Griffith.
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Visit Andy’s early home, located on Haymore Street further south of Rockford.
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Drive 12 miles south of town on U.S. Highway 52 and visit downtown Pilot Mountain; Mount Pilot in the series.
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Spend an afternoon at Pilot Mountain State Park. The noticeable tree-topped dome has a trail around its base. The park has a campground.
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Stay at any of the affordable hotels in the Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain area. Both towns offer bed and breakfasts as well.
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Resources
- Photo Credit James Barnett
