Best things to do in Mount Airy

Stop by and say howdy to one of American television's icons at The Andy Griffith Museum. Although the famous actor was known for his work on TV, he was also a producer and a singer. Inside the museum, you'll find the largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia in the world, including television props and items from Griffith's own collection. The attraction is a labor of love by Griffith's friend Emmett Forrest, who established the museum with his donation of memorabilia. Forrest was a lifelong friend of Griffith's, and he spent 25 years planning for the attraction's 2009 opening.

One of the country's longest scenic drives, Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 755 km (469 mi), cutting its way through two states and 29 counties. Constructed in the 1930s to connect two major national parks, the road runs mostly along the Blue Ridge, a mountain chain of the Appalachian Mountains. Most visitors choose to travel this road in the spring when the surrounding landscape blooms with native wildflowers. You can also pick a less crowded time of year, like autumn, when you can photograph the changing colors of the forest. Stop at any one of a dozen visitor centers scattered along the road to take a short rest, re-energize with a cup of coffee, or get a free map.

Mayberry Spirits is a small craft whiskey distillery nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, dedicated to producing Really Fine Drink (RFD). This Really Fine Drink is also used to produce Really Fine Baking Extracts and Spiced Brandied Fruits. Our Whiskey Experience is a fun and educational tour of the process of crafting our spirits and extracts. Our Tasting Room features Really Fine Artisan Crafts of the Appalachians, 100-year old barnwood décor, and Really Fine Outhouses.

Hours: Friday & Saturday 12:00pm-6:00pm

Tour Info: Tours start at 12:00pm and take place every hour. Enjoy learning about our distillery, whisky tastings, and a souvenir shot glass. Tour & Tasting take about 40 minutes. Family & Dog friendly. Handicapped Accessible (chairs available during tour for those in need).

Tour price: $10.00, Kids tour free with parents.

This is a production facility so it will be warm in summer and cool in the winter. Please dress appropriately.

About our Really Fine Drink:

Trickling out of the Appalachian Mountains is a centuries-old Whiskey Heritage that lifts the spirit, makes family & friends smile & laugh and the music sound a little bit sweeter. Mayberry Spirits Distillery continues this tradition in crafting our Premium Sorghum Whiskies. Our three whiskeys are lovingly made in small batches in our Handcrafted Copper Stills from sweet sorghum syrup. This syrup, made from the grain of the sorghum cane, produces whiskies that are exceptionally smooth and rich.

Taste the Spirit of Mayberry! Come Lift your Spirit!

Full of family-friendly rides and Wild West-themed activities, Tweetsie Railroad also proudly runs the last narrow-gauge steam locomotive in the area. Hop aboard one of the park's two coal-fired trains and ride along the 4.8 km (3 mi) track through the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. You can enjoy many classic amusement park rides at the theme park as well, including a tilt-a-whirl, carousel, Ferris wheel, flying jets, and more. Explore Main Street, ride the chairlift up to Miner's Mountain to pan for gold, or simply relax and take in the vibe of the American West. Little ones will enjoy playing cowboys and cowgirls in a classic western setting. Be sure to check the park's website for information on special events, offers, and activities.

A path that crosses the Appalachian Trail, Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail runs 56 km (35 mi) through the forests of southwestern Virginia. Portions of the trail are laid atop reconstructed train trestles through the trees and over rolling hills. Visitors on foot and horseback follow Laurel Creek up to the elevated town of Whitetop. Cyclists can take a shuttle to Whitetop and enjoy the descent. In remembrance of the trail's past as a rail line, a 4-8-0 steam engine marks the trailhead. Restored stations, as well as two cabooses, line the trail. The innovative attraction is an ecological way to preserve the railroad line.

Grayson Highlands State Park is a state park located in Grayson County, Virginia, United States. It is adjacent to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and lies within the Jefferson National Forest. The park was established in 1965 and contains a total of 4,502 acres (1,822 ha). The park hosts a number of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, mountainbiking, horseback riding, and backpacking. A 2.8 mile (4.5 km) portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park in addition to a number of other hiking and horseback riding trails. The state park is musically notable as the home for the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival as well as weekly jam sessions by local folk musicians, who draw upon the traditional styles of the Blue Ridge area. The park is also home to the Wayne C. Henderson Festival and Guitar Competition, a regionally important festival and guitarist contest named for local notable guitar-maker Wayne Henderson.

The park also has a campground cabin store with candies and ice cream inside.

The park hosts forests like those on nearby Mount Rogers, as well as a number of mountain meadows or balds. These meadows provide excellent views of the surrounding area and present a striking change in scenery from the surrounding forests. The balds are dominated by large rocky outcroppings clear of vegetation excepting the occasional windswept tree and low grasses.