Museums in Mount Airy, North Carolina, offer a unique way to explore the lives of some of the town’s most iconic residents. There are two in particular that capture the essence of Mount Airy’s rich heritage. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Yadkin Valley Wine Region, Mount Airy is best known as the real-life inspiration for Mayberry, the fictional town from The Andy Griffith Show. It’s also famously known as the longtime home of Chang and Eng Bunker, the world-renowned conjoined twins born in Siam (now Thailand). While the region attracts visitors with its hiking, fishing, camping, and thriving wineries, the museums in Mount Airy, NC, add depth and character to any visit. Here’s what I discovered while exploring the Andy Griffith Museum and the Siamese Twins Museum.
The Andy Griffith Museum
Andy Griffith is, without a doubt, a beloved hometown hero of Mount Airy. He spent his formative years here and left an indellible mark on the town’s history. His affection for Mount Airy inspired the fictional Mayberry that is synonymous with the classic television show that bears his name.
The Andy Griffith Museum is located inside the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Visitors to the museum will find a large collection of memorabilia and artifacts from Andy Griffith’s childhood days all the way through the end of his esteemed career.
Highlights of the Andy Griffith Museum
The Andy Griffith Museum is a must-visit for fans of The Andy Griffith Show and classic TV nostalgia. Explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in the expansive collection of costumes, props, and artifacts from the show.
In addition to the wonderful display items from the classic television show, the museum also features exhibits on other key figures, such as Don Knotts, George Lindsey, Ron Howard, and Betty Lynn.
Moreover, the museum examines Griffith’s entire career, including his early comedy sketches, films, and later shows such as Matlock.
What I liked at the Andy Griffith Museum
The museum thoughtfully preserves a piece of TV history and provides a deeper look at Griffith’s legacy beyond Mayberry. I admire the museum’s relaxed atmosphere, which allows visitors to explore at their own pace, revisit fond memories, and get an up-close look at remarkable keepsakes from an extraordinary man whose career has touched generations.
There was something truly special about seeing actual props, such as the candlestick telephone and gavel on Andy’s desk. Having watched reruns of the show in black and white, it was thrilling seeing these items in living color.
The Siamese Twins Museum
The Siamese Twins Museum in Mount Airy proved to be a pleasant surprise. Intrigued by their photograph in the Guinness Book of Records since childhood, I was eager to learn more about these gentlemen who gained international fame as touring performers, often billed as “The Siamese Twins.”
Born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811, the conjoined brothers were brought to the United States in the 1820s. They spent years traveling the world on exhibition. Intelligent and enterprising, they managed much of their career. Eventually, they transitioned from curiosities to entrepreneurs, using their earnings to build a life in North Carolina where they married, raised families, and became respected members of the community.
The museum offers a self-guided tour focusing on Chang and Eng’s unique story from their humble beginnings in Siam through the timeline of their lives and ultimate deaths. Touch screen interactive displays provide compelling details and facts about each step of their journey. Likewise, the museum houses an expansive showcase of artifacts from their lives and time spent in Surry County, North Carolina.
Mount Airy hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the Autumn Leaves Festival, Mayberry Days, and Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention, each celebrating the town's rich cultural heritage, music, and iconic connections to The Andy Griffith Show. From food and wine events to classic car shows and storytelling gatherings, there is something for everyone to enjoy and plan a visit around.
What I liked About the Siamese Twins Museum
I love how this museum is laid out to take guests on a journey through the timeline of Chang and Eng’s lives. The touch screen displays enable visitors to delve deeper into the aspects of their lives they find most intriguing. This is truly a user-friendly musuem that allows you to learn as much or as little as desired.
Learning about their families captivated me. Chang and Eng married sisters and fathered 21 children between them, 18 of whom lived to adulthood. To this day, descendants travel to Mount Airy to gather and celebrate these two extraordinary gentlemen.
Having arrived with only cursory knowledge of their story, I left with a great appreciation and admiration for these industrious conjoined twins who came to America and made a life for themselves as well as their families.
Tips for Planning Your Visit to These Two Museums in Mount Airy, NC
These two museums are must-see stops on any Mount Airy itinerary. Admission is affordably priced. If you plan to visit both museums, they offer a combination ticket at a slightly lower cost than if you bought tickets separately. They even give you a sheriff’s star sticker to wear that lets museum employees know you’re a combo ticket holder.
Given that the museum tours are self-guided, you can decide how much time you want to spend at each. I am a reader, so I spent a fair amount of time reading the displays in the Siamese Twins musuem and immersed myself in their story. I was more familiar with Andy Griffith and have even attended Mayberry Days, so I spent a little less time there. Overall, we spent close to two hours at the museums.
There is plenty of free parking outside of each museum. Because they are across the street from each other, you can park at one and walk to the other.
Out and About in Mount Airy
It may not be Aunt Bea’s home cooking, but there is plenty of good food nearby. Mount Airy offers guests a range of cuisines and dining options such as Snappy Lunch, Barney’s Café, and Mi Casa on Main to name a few. It is also in the heart of the Yadkin Valley AVA, so visitors can select from many outstanding wineries and vineyards to visit.
Should you wish to expand your Mayberry experience, there are several tours available. Visitors can step back in time with tours like Sunshine Tours, Good Time Trolley Tours, and Mayberry Squad Car Tours. Each offers a nostalgic journey through the world of the beloved television show and its ties to Mount Airy.
To add another Siamese Twin-related stop to your schedule, Chang and Eng Bunker are buried at White Plains Baptist Church at 614 Old U.S. 601 in Mount Airy. Their final resting place attracts visitors from around the world to this graveyard located behind the church.
Where to Stay
There are multiple choices of lodging and accommodations from well-known chain hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts. You can even stay in the Airbnb which was Andy Griffith’s homeplace from 1935-1966.
Several of the wineries in the area offer overnight accommodations that can be booked directly through the winery. For an outdoor adventure, there is camping at nearby Mayberry Campground and Pilot Mountain State Park, about 12 miles from town.
For our visit, we enjoyed a rustic retreat at Riversong Cabin Rentals, which is about thirty minutes away in Elkin. You can read more about our stay here.
Parting Thoughts
Mount Airy is a picturesque town imbued with Southern charm, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visiting these two museums not only entertains but offers a meaningful glimpse into the lives, stories, and heritage that shaped this distinctive community.
Whether you’re a fan of classic television or curious about the local culture, these attractions provide an engaging and educational experience for all ages. As part of a broader Mount Airy or Yadkin Valley itinerary, they’re perfect stops that bring the spirit of the region to life. I found myself both enchanted and enlightened—and I think you will too.
The Andy Griffith Museum & The Siamese Twins Museum in Mount Airy, NC
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