If there was ever a TV present setting that epitomized small-town America, it will be Mayberry, North Carolina, on The Andy Griffith Present. The fictional city, which can also be the setting of the spin-off Mayberry R.F.D., is outlined by its solitary site visitors mild, slower tempo, and beloved native sheriff, Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith). The comedy sequence—and Mayberry itself—are favorites for a lot of, and today, they’re additionally a reminder of less complicated occasions earlier than big-box shops and cellphones.
If you wish to faucet into that nostalgic feeling and embrace the small-town sense of group, there are some spots journey specialists say you want in your bucket record. Learn on to find which 9 small cities will make you are feeling such as you’ve been transported to Mayberry.
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Beginning out robust: If you wish to be totally immersed in all the pieces “Mayberry,” guide a visit to Mount Ethereal, North Carolina, AKA Griffith’s precise hometown. Not solely does the city have museums and sights devoted to the present, nevertheless it additionally exudes that welcoming feeling we affiliate with Mayberry.
“Mount Ethereal’s obtained a rhythm all its personal. It is a spot that reminds you of the great ol’ days, the place people nonetheless wave at one another and take the time to talk on their entrance porches,” Beth McCarter, household journey blogger tells Greatest Life.
You may cease in and take a look at a few of your favourite spots from the present, together with the real-life Floyd’s Barber Store and Snappy Lunch.
“The city options year-round sights such because the Andy Griffith Museum, Andy Griffith Playhouse, and Squad Automotive Excursions that spotlight key areas akin to the home the place the well-known actor was raised,” says Mercedes Zach, journey professional at ASAP tickets, a part of Trevolution Group. “Every year there’s additionally a three-day-long Andy Griffith-themed and family-friendly competition referred to as Mayberry Days, which options parades, celebrities, music, trivia contests, screenings of present episodes, dwell leisure, and different enjoyable actions value exploring.”
In accordance with McCarter, the most effective time to go to is the autumn, so you’ve got nonetheless obtained time to plan your go to and revel in Mount Ethereal when it is boasting stunning fall foliage. She says a go to within the autumn will not simply make you are feeling such as you’re in Mayberry, nevertheless it’ll additionally make you are feeling “such as you’re dwelling in a postcard.”
“Wander as much as Mount Ethereal, spend an evening in the home the place Andy himself grew up, catch some dwell bluegrass music, and crack up open a chilly one at a pleasant native brewery and, by golly, you will be doing simply superb,” McCarter says.
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Head as much as the Northeast and you may additionally discover a small city the place Sheriff Taylor would really feel at house.
“One small city/village that feels just like Mayberry is Northport, New York,” Chrissy Ruggeri, co-owner and founding father of Northport Journal, tells Greatest Life. “Northport is a harborside village that is on Lengthy Island, positioned proper between New York Metropolis and Montauk, on the north shore. It is the type of place the place folks know your title, with quick conversations with neighbors going down as you stroll the tree-lined sidewalk from one small store to a different.”
Northport has the entire quintessential elements of a small city, together with boutiques, eating places, beloved ice cream and low outlets, and—in fact—a quaint Most important Road.
“On the finish of Most important Road is a big park that sits beside Northport Harbor, with boats coming and going from their time out on the water,” Ruggeri says. “For those who stroll by means of Northport, you are positive to see somebody strolling with their canine, children on bikes or enjoying within the park, flowering native vegetation, and historic plaques. It is the proper place for younger households who benefit from the ease of small-town life with out giving up city-like facilities.”
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In accordance with Pam Howard, proprietor and writer of the journey weblog Our Journey is In all places, you may as well discover Mayberry-esque vibes within the Midwest.
“Tipton, Indiana, shares some similarities with the idyllic small-town setting portrayed in The Andy Griffith Present,” she says. “Tipton has a heat and welcoming group—in case you cease into a store or restaurant, odds are you will find yourself having fun with a dialog with the proprietor. The city is sufficiently small that the majority residents know one another, however massive sufficient to have a quaint downtown with charming boutiques, a small-town grocer, and locally-owned eating places.”
When you can take pleasure in searching Tipton’s outlets or its “long-standing film theatre” any time of 12 months, Howard recommends heading to Tipton throughout one of many city’s many festivals.
“From the Tipton County Pork Pageant in early September to the French Market in July, Tipton is aware of the way to throw a competition, so timing your journey throughout one among them will add to your appreciation of the world,” she says.
One other Midwestern Mayberry is Fort Scott, Kansas.
In accordance with Caitlin Dismore, journey blogger behind Twin Household Travels, Fort Scott “echoes the essence of Mayberry with its heat group, unhurried tempo, and charming downtown.”
She continues, “The nice and cozy locals and their smiles remind guests of the close-knit group that Mayberry was well-known for. The second you step foot in Fort Scott, it is like getting into an easier time, very like the idyllic Mayberry all of us cherish.”
In accordance with Dismore, a tour on the Dolly the Trolley is a should—which is able to run you thru the historical past of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Nationwide Historic Web site—whereas the Lowell Milken Heart for Unsung Heroes and the Gordon Parks Museum must also be in your to-do record. And do not skip downtown, both.
“Downtown Fort Scott has stunning murals, locally-owned eating places, and native outlets together with bookshops, clothes shops, and antiques,” Dismore says.
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With a inhabitants of roughly 1,375, Kingsley, Iowa, is a real small city. And in accordance with Sherry Arkfeld of the journey weblog Digital Nomad and a Canine, you will shortly see similarities to Mayberry while you go to.
“It is small and charming and the individuals are tremendous pleasant. There is a very good golf course with an incredible restaurant referred to as Doosky’s,” she says. “There’s additionally a public pool and a park with play tools.”
Arkfeld notes that this small city helps its youth and has “a whole lot of workforce spirit,” including that residents love popping out to observe the highschool sporting occasions. For those who want one thing additional so as to add to your journey, you may take a fast 30-minute drive to Le Mars, which is house to Wells Blue Bunny ice cream and generally known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World.
“Whereas Kingsley is probably not on everybody’s bucket record, it is a small city that may depart a mark in your coronary heart,” Arkfeld says.
One other North Carolina city to make the record is Marshall, which is about three hours southwest of Mount Ethereal.
“The quaint and historic city of Marshall, North Carolina, is nestled between rocky cliffs and the picturesque French Broad River that runs by means of Madison County,” McCarter says. “Only a stone’s throw from Asheville, Marshall is ‘one road vast and a mile lengthy,’ and with a inhabitants simply shy of 900, its nostalgic small-town life brings Andy Griffith’s ‘Mayberry’ to thoughts.”
You will be surrounded by historic brick buildings with “well-polished classic vehicles parked in entrance” whereas strolling down Most important Road, McCarter says. “The road’s alive with the hum of artists’ studios, galleries, and venues the place you may faucet your toes to some real Appalachian music. And if antiquing’s your factor, there is a medley of eclectic outlets ready for you,” she provides.
You may go to throughout any season, with fall providing Marshall’s annual artwork competition and spring boasting a pottery market. Within the winter, McCarter notes that there is a route you may drive to see historic barns nestled amidst snowcapped mountains. Nevertheless, you may need to save your journey for the summer time months, as there’s a lot to do alongside the French Broad River.
“Mixed, the historic allure and outside adventures come full with a quaint southern hospitality that is cozily harking back to Andy Griffith’s classic vibes,” McCarter says. “As a result of if there’s one factor Marshall’s identified for, it is that they have a manner of creating everybody really feel like they belong.”
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Bramwell, West Virginia, has related vibes to Mayberry today, however this small city additionally has an attention-grabbing historical past.
“At one time, Bramwell had extra millionaires per capita than every other a part of the U.S.,” Rocky Trifari, proprietor of the journey weblog The Rocky Safari, tells Greatest Life. “A lot of that wealth got here from 40 miles of coal fields which employed greater than 100,000 miners at its peak within the Seventies. Right this moment, it is a quaint and pleasant city in West Virginia that maintains a few of its old school model.”
Trifari recommends reserving a visit within the spring when you may take a tour of the historic (and exquisite) Bramwell houses. The excursions are solely held twice per 12 months—on the primary Saturday in June and the second Saturday in December.
“Apart from the tour, there are different nice locations to go to like Pinnacle Rock State Park, the Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine, the Bramwell Nook Store, and lots of different pretty locations,” Trifari says.
Within the Florida Panhandle, you will discover DeFuniak Springs, which is one more city that embodies the small-town really feel of Mayberry.
“It has a whole lot of the identical old-town allure right this moment that has remained the identical for many years, so being within the city can really feel like a little bit of a blast from the previous,” Brittany Mendez, chief advertising and marketing officer at FloridaPandhandle.com, says. “It has some actually cool Victorian-style houses that definitely give the nostalgic really feel, in addition to a ton of native outlets in outdated buildings that serve the city properly.”
The great factor concerning the Sunshine State is that the climate is prone to be on the hotter facet, no matter while you go to. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll need to skip the most well liked months.
“Contemplating the very fact it is in Florida, it’s possible you’ll need to skip the height summer time season in addition to hurricane season to keep away from the humidity and loopy climate!” Mendez advises.
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Natchez, Mississippi, is a bit larger than your typical small city, with a inhabitants of about 13,800. Nevertheless, it is nonetheless identified for its southern allure, very like Mayberry, in accordance with Caroline Rogers, a consultant for Natchez at Lou Hammond Group.
“Natchez is likely one of the South’s most walkable cities with a centralized, pedestrian-friendly downtown the place everybody is aware of everybody, stemming from historic Most important Road and providing an array of retailers akin to ArtsNatchez and Darby’s, eateries together with Pearl Road Pasta and Biscuits and Blues, museums and historic house excursions,” she says.
You may also take a brief stroll from the downtown space and go to Bluff Park for views of the Mississippi River, and in case you get drained, there are many mattress and breakfasts and motels the place you may relaxation your head for the evening.
“The autumn season is understood for being a highly regarded time to go to on account of Natchez’s array of beloved occasions such because the Natchez Balloon Pageant, Y’all Means All, Fall Pilgrimages, and Angels on the Bluff.
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