Mount Airy, North Carolina: Andy Griffith TV Town of Mayberry

Andy Griffith's hometown is truly a "Mayberry." Virtually the whole town has been transformed to look like Mayberry did in the TV show. Of course, some of the places were originals, like "The Snappy Lunch"(great pork chop sandwich).

Andy based some people and places in the show on those from his hometown. There's a Bluebird Diner, Wally's Service Station, Floyd's Barber Shop, and a replica of the Mayberry courthouse that you can go inside. You can take a tour of the town in a sheriff's car just like the one from the show. If you're lucky, you'll get D.C. as your driver. He was a childhood friend of Andy's and adds a special touch to your tour.

The Andy Griffith museum is also something you shouldn't miss. So many memories from the show. You should plan on a whole day to really see everything and have time to enjoy. And the really great thing is it doesn't cost anything to wander around. The only things that cost are the tour in the car ($30 for up to five people) and a small charge to get in museum. You leave with a really good feeling, like you've gone back in time to the 'good ole days'.

As an Andy Griffith Show/Andy Griffith fan and just a North Carolinian, Mount Airy is one of my favorite places to go and hang out for a day or so.

First, you can rent out the house that Andy grew up in to stay. On Main Street, you can visit "The Blue Bird Diner" (the workplace on the show of Juanita -- Barney's secret girlfriend); "The Snappy Lunch" (mentioned in an Andy Griffith Show episode, and they have the BEST pork chop sandwich); "Floyd's Barber Shop", and "Wally's Service Station" (where you can get a bottle of pop and actually take a tour of Mount Airy in a real squad car like the one on the show). The Snappy Lunch and Floyd's were there before the show.

TV Land dedicated a statue of Andy and Opie in front of the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Every September there is Mayberry Days, which is a huge Andy Griffith Show festival.

The museum is in the Welcome Center and is worth the trip. There is also memorabilia at the Main Oak Emporium. Just go to either the Welcome Center in the old house or the Welcome Center downtown and they will give you a map and show you all the attractions.

This is a great little town. Not only can you visit the museum, but you can still eat at the original Snappy Lunch or get a hair cut at the real Floyd's Barber Shop. They also have a replica of the sheriff's car and the jail