Can You Really Visit Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show?

Mayberry, the town from The Andy Griffith Show, is a fictional one based on a very real town.

In fact, that town is where Andy Griffith grew up. 

But where is it? And does it still bear a resemblance to Mayberry? 

Let’s check it out! 

About The Andy Griffith Show

The Andy Griffith Show was a CBS sitcom that ran from 1960-1968 and yielded 249 episodes. The show was set in the small town of Mayberry. Andy Griffith played Sheriff Andy Taylor, and Ron Howard, now a famous director, played his son.

The show featured wholesome, small-town themes. As sheriff, Taylor usually solved problems with common sense advice. 

Where Is Mayberry?

The closest you’ll come to Mayberry is Mount Airy, North Carolina. It’s a small town located just six miles south of the Virginia state line.

Mount Airy is Andy Griffith’s hometown, so it’s no wonder this small town inspired Mayberry. Locals even call it Mayberry! Their population is just over 10,000, but people come for The Andy Griffith Show-related tourism.

Can You Visit Mayberry? What About Tours?

Yes, and how! For a town this small, there are a lot of places for Griffith fans to tour. 

You can visit the Andy Griffith Museum, for starters. There’s also the playhouse that was once the actor’s elementary school.

Wally’s Service Station is still here, though the inside is now devoted to exhibits and selling souvenirs. Some of the displays include replicas of the Mayberry Courthouse, Otis’s jail cell, and the Mayberry Hotel.

This town is chock-full of Mayberry-related sites, and you can tour them all. There are a couple of options for trolley tours too. If you want, you can even take a tour in a real Mayberry squad car without Sheriff Taylor slapping on the cuffs, of course.

Pro Tip: While road tripping through North Carolina, check out these 7 Amazing Waterfalls in North Carolina.

Can You Stay in Andy Griffith’s Mayberry House?

Surprisingly, yes! This house, known as “Andy’s Homeplace,” was home to the actor during his adolescent years. The house is decorated in the 1930s and 40s styles, and there’s plenty of Griffith memorabilia there.

Guests can also use some facilities from the nearby Hampton Inn.

Best Things To Do Near Mayberry

Granite City Greenway Trail

The Granite City Greenway trail is 13 miles out and back. It’s paved, marked, and has artwork to look at along the way. It’s rated “moderate,” but reviews agree it’s suitable for all levels. The rocks by the river provide a scenic picnic/rest spot. 

A significant caveat is that walkers warn of fast cyclists who don’t announce themselves, so please stay alert.

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History

The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History is just that. They display many aspects of the area’s culture in this four-story museum. From the granite quarry to old-time music, you can learn about a lot of local history.

Admission is $6, and the museum is open seven days a week.

Best Camping Near Mayberry

Mayberry Campground

If you’re visiting Mayberry, why not stay at the Mayberry Campground? The campground has excellent reviews and space for big rigs with pull-throughs. All RV sites have full hookups, including cable tv and wifi.

They also have picnic shelters, including a full kitchen. There are laundry facilities, two small ponds, and two playgrounds as well. 

The campground has 106 sites, and reviewers note that some places are close enough to the interstate to be noisy. Also, there aren’t any shade trees around the spaces. 

The Mayberry Campground is open year-round. Daily rates are $38.

Pro Tip: On the road and looking for somewhere to stay? This Map Shows The Best Free Camping in America

Is a Mayberry Road Trip Worth It?

Only if you have some interest in Andy Griffith or The Andy Griffith Show. If you’re familiar with the show, this is a fun, family-friendly place that will make you nostalgic for a time you never knew.

However, if you don’t know or care for the show, it’d be tough to find enough non-Andy attractions to make it worthwhile.

Have you visited Mayberry?

Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: