Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2024 - 36

CLOCKWISE: Fall color abounds
around Grandfather Mountain,
North Carolina.
Mount Airy, North Carolina, falls
for fall at Mayberry Days.
Hinton, West Virginia, offers a
most-inviting main street.
VISITNC.COM
Lodging options: The Guest House Inn
on Courthouse Square. Stay comfortably
within walking distance of all this historic
town has to offer and take a short drive to
reach the national park.
Three Rivers Studios offers short- and
long-term accommodations with kitchenettes
on the second floor of the restored
1920s Ford dealership historic building.
Note: The Hinton Railroad Museum
contains artifacts, a gift shop and is
free to the public (donations welcome).
Check FB " Hinton Railroad Days 2024 "
for updates.
36 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
NORTH CAROLINA
MOUNT AIRY: Mayberry Days (Sept.
23 - 29). Celebrate all things Mayberry at
this popular destination, Andy Griffith's
hometown. Fans come from far and wide
to see character actors, watch parades, listen
to bands (Bellamy Brothers and Rodney
Dillard " Darling " this year), laugh
with comedians and see authentic memorabilia
at the museum. Hear inside stories
about the Desilu backlot, a presentation
about Don Knotts (who would have
turned 100 this year!) and attend a performance
by his daughter, Karen. Drive up
to the lookout on Pilot Mountain (sound
familiar? ...Mt. Pilot) for a nice hike at
" the knob " and look at the fall colors.
Local dining: Grab a homecooked
breakfast or lunch at the Snappy Lunch;
yes, it is a real eatery. It opened in the
1920s and Andy Griffith ate there as a
youngun'. For pub grub and drinks, head
over to the family-friendly spot, The
Loaded Goat.
Lodging options: For an ultimate TAGS
at Andy's
experience,
reserve
Homeplace-the
a
stay
actual house where
Griffith lived (within walking distance of
town and filled with memorabilia).
Mayberry Motor Inn. With 27 rooms
on 10 acres at this vintage-style property,
guests can see the squad car, Emmett's
pickup truck, Aunt Bea's room (with real
Frances Bavier items) and walk Thelma
Lou's trail.
Note: Wally's Service Station, complete
with old-fashioned snacks, drinks
and rocking chairs, offers tours of Mayberry...er,
Mount Airy in the squad car.
surryarts.org/mayberrydays/schedule.html
AVERY, CALDWELL AND WATAUGA
COUNTIES: Grandfather's Fall Color
Ramble (Oct. 5 - 13). For an immersive
fall foliage nature experience, take
an easy " ramble " with a park naturalist
at 300-million-year-old Grandfather
Mountain. Learn about the 16 distinct
ecological communities, rare and endangered
plants and animals and the
science and identification of tree species
that create stunning colors each
fall. Come to the Wilson Center for Nature
Discovery for information on daily
walks at " one of the best leaf-looking
HINTON DEPOT
GETTY IMAGES
http://www.VISITNC.COM http://www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/schedule.html http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country Sept/Oct 2024

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