Mount Airy, North Carolina

The Bright Leaf Drive-In Theatre was opened in 1955 by Don L. Davis and is one of only 300 Drive-In Theatres left in the United States, 9 of which are in North Carolina. It is located on HWY 53 north in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Bright Leaf Drive-In is open year round Wednesday-Sunday for 2 movies. Admission is $5 for adults and children 10 and under are FREE and the admission price is for double feature! They have original vintage speakers or you can tune to 89.5FM to listen on your own car radio. For more information, call (336) 786-5494 or visit www.thebrightleaf.com.

The real Floyd the barber is actually a more than 50 year veteran of cutting hair named Russell Hiatt. Mr. Hiatt is a collector of more than 20,000 photographs of customers that he has taken himself. The photographs, that he calls his "Wall of Fame" boast celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Lou Ferrigno, and Mayberry favorite George "Goober" Lindsey. Don't be surprised if you get your picture snapped during you time in Mr. Hiatt's chair.

As always, he advertises "2 chairs- no waiting"! Floyd's City Barber Shop is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 7a.m. to 5p.m. and on Saturday 7a.m. to 3p.m. Admission is free, but you have to pay for your haircut.

The Old City Jail used to serve the town of Mount Airy as the actual Municipal Building, housing not only city offices, but the Mount Airy Police department as well. After the construction of the new Municipal Building on South Main Street, the old Jail was converted into a re-creation of "The Courthouse" seen in just about every episode of the Andy Griffith Show. The Old Mayberry Jail is also the site of the annual Mayberry Days Proclamation by the Mayor of Mount Airy.

The old Mayberry jail is open Monday through Friday 8a.m. to 4:40p.m. and admission is free.

The Snappy Lunch, Mount Airy's oldest and most famous eating establishment, was opened in 1923. It has been the subject of many news articles and publications as well as national and international news stories. It has been host to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Lou Ferrigno, and Donna Fargo. Andy Griffith also ate at the Snappy Lunch growing up as the local schools did not have cafeterias at the time. During an interview, Andy mentioned getting a hot dog and bottle of pop for 15 cents when he was a boy.

The Snappy Lunch is also mentioned in the Andy Griffith Show episode entitled "Andy the Matchmaker" when he suggests to Barney that they get a bite to eat over at the Snappy Lunch.

The Snappy Lunch is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:45a.m. until 1:45p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 5:45a.m. until 1:15p.m. For more information please call 336-786-4931 or visit them on the web at www.thesnappylunch.com

Located at the Mayberry Motor Inn off of Highway 53 bypass in Mount Airy, is a tribute to Francis "Aunt Bee" Bavier. The Room dedicated to her memory by owner Alma Venable, who holds certificates of authenticity to more than 30 of Bevier's belongings, is home to such things as gloves, eyeglasses, a handkerchief, a dress, a hat, a shoe kit, an attache case, sewing materials, a twin bedroom suit, and an ashtray made for George "Goober" Lindsey.

Alma is also a local favorite, dressing up as an Aunt Bee look-alike every year for the Mayberry Days festival held in Mount Airy. Alma and her husband L.P. Venable like for visitors to enjoy the window view of Aunt Bee's room, so stop by and see them while you are in Mount Airy. The room is also shown by appointment. For more information, please call 336-786-4109 or visit them on the web at www.mayberrymotorinn.com.

The playhouse was originally the Rockford Street School, Mount Airy's first known public school. Andy Griffith attended elementary school and performed on stage here during the 1930's and 1940's. The Surry Arts Council leased the building in 1975 and dedicated it to Andy Griffith during the 1970's.

The Andy Griffith Playhouse is programmed with year-round classes, community theatre productions, children's theatre, lectures, art camps, and musical concerts. It also serves as a civic auditorium for the City of Mount Airy and for Surry County. The playhouse is also the base of operations for the Mayberry Days Festival held in Mount Airy every year and is home to TV Land's landmark statue "Andy & Opie" that was dedicated at the 2004 Mayberry Days Festival.
For more information, please call 800-286-6193 or visit the Surry Arts Council on the web at www.surryarts.org.

Fans of television actor, Andy Griffith, can stay in the Mount Airy home where he lived during his adolescence until his high school graduation.

The Andy Griffith Homeplace, which has long been a tourist attraction to the area. The house contains antiques and is decorated 1930s-1940s style. Griffith memorabilia and stories can also be found at every turn.

For more information, contact Cindy McBride at 800-565-5249 or visit them on the web at www.andyshomeplace.us