Andy Griffith Statue: Mt. Airy, NC

In my last post, I wrote about Mt. Airy, N.C., Andy Griffith’s hometown and the inspiration for the town of Mayberry in “The Andy Griffith Show.”  In addition to  the real and fictional locations from the show, the town pays tribute to Andy Griffith, the actor.  The Andy Griffith Playhouse and Museum houses the largest Andy Griffith collection in the world.  Don’t miss the TV Land statue out front that memorializes the opening of the show with Andy and Opie walking to the fishing hole.  If you want to spend the night, you can do so at a number of bed and breakfasts, including Andy’s actual homeplace.  Visited July 2011.

Locations:

• Andy Griffith Playhouse & Museum and TV Land statue — 218 Rockford St.
• Andy Griffith’s homeplace — 711 E. Haymore St.

“Mayberry”: Mt. Airy, NC

If you were alive in the ’60s, then you watched “The Andy Griffith Show.”  Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee, Barney, Otis, Floyd, Gomer and Goober were part of the family for a generation of Americans.  The show premiered 51 years ago today and ran until 1968.  While Mayberry, the setting of the show, doesn’t really exist, it is based on Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., and the town celebrates that fact with enthusiasm.  I pulled off here for a short visit because I was driving by and had an extra hour.  Little did I know that I would have so much fun that I can’t wait to go back and spend an entire day.

You can see a recreation of the courthouse, inside of which is the jail that Otis used to “sleep it off” and Andy’s sheriff’s desk (shown above).   Wally’s Service Station, where Gomer, and later Goober, worked, is next door, where you can book a tour of the town riding in a 1962 squad car, just like Barney used in the television series.

You won’t have to go far to grab a bite to eat at any number of restaurants playing off the Mayberry theme.  However, one of them existed before the series.  Snappy Lunch, located in downtown Mt. Airy, opened in 1923, is famous for its pork chop sandwich and for being mentioned on the show. Floyd’s City Barber Shop next door has also been around since before the show began.  Visited July 2011.

Locations:

• Wally’s Service Station and tours – 625 S. Main St. (the “courthouse” and other Mayberry storefronts are right next door)
• Snappy Lunch — 125 N. Main St.
• Floyd’s City Barber Shop — 129 N. Main St.

“Mayberry”: Mount Airy, NC

If you were alive in the ’60s, then you watched “The Andy Griffith Show.”  Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee, Barney, Otis, Floyd, Gomer and Goober were part of the family for a generation of Americans.  The show premiered 51 years ago today and ran until 1968.  While Mayberry, the setting of the show, doesn’t really exist, it is based on Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., and the town celebrates that fact with enthusiasm.  I pulled off here for a short visit because I was driving by and had an extra hour.  Little did I know that I would have so much fun that I can’t wait to go back and spend an entire day.

You can see a recreation of the courthouse, inside of which is the jail that Otis used to “sleep it off” and Andy’s sheriff’s desk (shown above).   Wally’s Service Station, where Gomer, and later Goober, worked, is next door, where you can book a tour of the town riding in a 1962 squad car, just like Barney used in the television series.

You won’t have to go far to grab a bite to eat at any number of restaurants playing off the Mayberry theme.  However, one of them existed before the series.  Snappy Lunch, located in downtown Mt. Airy, opened in 1923, is famous for its pork chop sandwich and for being mentioned on the show. Floyd’s City Barber Shop next door has also been around since before the show began.  Visited July 2011.

Locations:

• Wally’s Service Station and tours – 625 S. Main St. (the “courthouse” and other Mayberry storefronts are right next door)
• Snappy Lunch — 125 N. Main St.
• Floyd’s City Barber Shop — 129 N. Main St.