15 Day Trips From Mount Airy, NC
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, history, or cute small towns, there are plenty of options for day trips from Mount Airy, NC.
I’ve lived near Mount Airy for almost nine years now – before that I was just in the county over – so I’ve taken plenty of day trips during that time.
Some of my favorites and the easiest to make are Elkin and Winston-Salem but Boone is great too, just a bit more of a drive.
While there are tons of things to do in Mount Airy, it’s fun to explore the surrounding foothills a bit more.
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1. Pilot Mountain
This is the closest little town to Mount Airy and while the town may be small, there are plenty of things to do in Pilot Mountain! Definitely go to Pilot Mountain State Park.
If it’s a weekend, get there early so you can drive to the top before they start running the shuttle. For those with mobility issues, you can drive to the top and there is a nice overlook right by the parking lot.
You can also do a super quick hike around the knob on the Jomeokee Trail, or my favorite hike is the Jomeokee, Ledge Springs, and Grindstone Trail.
Once you’re done with hiking, head into town and check out some of the local shops. Pilot Knob Outfitters has some neat stuff and Indulge Soapery is one of my favorite shops.
Grab a cupcake or other sweet treat from Liv for Sweets and if you’re a tea drinker then you definitely need to stop by The Grove Teas and Botanical Gifts.
There are also lots of antique shops downtown if you like to go antiqueing. The Tilted Ladder is a popular spot to grab food but you should also try Viridescence. They are a wine bar that serves vegan food.
If you didn’t already know, Pilot Mountain is “Mount Pilot” from the Andy Griffith Show and Mount Airy is Mayberry.
2. Elkin
Elkin is one of my favorite day trips from Mt. Airy becuase of the wineries and great restaurant options. Start by taking a hike out to Carter Falls. We love getting on the trail at Grassy Creek Vineyard and then grabbing a glass of wine here after.
Some of our favorite wineries near Elkin are Elkin Creek Vineyard, Grassy Creek Vineyard, and Adagio. If you don’t have a designated driver there are a few tour options plus the Elkin Vine Line.
Yellow Door Café is a great lunch option in town and for dinner, there are a few places we love. If you’re looking for a laid-back no-frills bar, head to Harry’s. For pizza, go to Angry Troll Brewing. For an upscale dinner, The Wisdom Table is one of the best restaurants in Elkin.
If beer is more your thing, then be sure to check out the Railyard or head to Fruition for cocktails.
3. Winston-Salem
Since it’s only 30 minutes from Mount Airy, Winston-Salem is a really convenient day trip with plenty to do. Check out Quarry Park with a nice view of the Winston-Salem skyline.
Reynolda House & Gardens is interesting to tour and if you’re there in the spring, then the gardens will have plenty of things blooming. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Winston-Salem.
Bailey Park downtown is a neat space and you can grab pizza & beer at Incendiary Brewing. There are plenty of other breweries in Winston like Foothills, Radar, and Wiseman.
Check out the Mast General Store in downtown and there are many other shops that you can walk to in this area.
A few of my favorite restaurants here are Mozelle’s, Old Fourth Street Filling Station, and Village Tavern.
4. Hanging Rock State Park
If you love to hike, then you’ll want to visit Hanging Rock! It offers some of the closest waterfalls to Mount Airy as it has five in the park.
Other than the waterfall hikes, there is the most popular Hanging Rock Trail that leads to a rocky outcropping high above the valleys of the piedmont. You can also hike Moore’s Knob or Cook’s Wall.
The waterfalls are pretty easy to get to, but the other hikes are rated as moderate or strenuous so do your research on those before heading out.
There’s even a lake where you can swim, but this requires a fee. Entrance to the park itself is free which is amazing as it’s one of the most beautiful state parks on the East Coast.
Once you’re done hiking, head over to John Brown’s Country Store & Grill, an old-timey general store with a sandwich counter where you can grab a great meal.
5. Stone Mountain State Park
Another amazing state park nearby is Stone Mountain. It’s a bit further of a drive, but it’s closer to other things to do so you could spend longer out this way.
If you’ve never been here, then you’ll want to do the Stone Mountain Loop, but be warned. This is a strenuous hike that’s over 4 miles.
The loop will take you by Hutchinson Homestead, a large waterfall, and to the top of the granite dome where the park got its name from.
If you want to pack a picnic or at least some snacks, this is a great spot to sit and hang out for a while.
Once you’re done at the park, I would recommend heading to either Roaring River Vineyards or Dooley’s in North Wilkesboro.
Roaring River Vineyards does have food – I’ve been in my hiking gear before and was just fine. Dooley’s is a casual burger place with indoor and outdoor seating in town.
6. Lexington
This is such an overlooked town! There are tons of fun things to do in Lexington, you could spend a whole weekend here if you wanted.
For NASCAR fans, you’ll want to check out the Richard Childress Racing Museum. Childress Vineyards is also located near here and well worth a visit as it’s one of the best wineries in Lexington.
Visit Uptown (their downtown area) where you can check out some local shops like Missions Pottery, The Candy Factory, Backyard Retreat, or River House Emporium.
Don’t miss Red Donut Shop to grab some donuts to go. There are also plenty of great restaurants here too – you have to try the Lexington-style BBQ!
If you’re a little more adventurous and the weather is warm, then visit Elevated Wake Park where you can learn to wakeboard on their cable system.
7. Greensboro
Greensboro is a great day trip from Mount Airy if you’re a big city person. If you love museums, then check out the Greensboro History Museum, International Civil Rights Center & Museum, or the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park – a neat East Coast National Park Site.
There are also plenty of gardens to tour like the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden or Greensboro Arboretum.
If you’re looking for a spot to relax and hang out, head to the LeBauer Park which has plenty of seating and public art installations.
For foodies, there are endless options in Greensboro. I love Natty Greene’s – their food and beer – or Hop’s Burger Bar.
8. North Carolina Zoo
Some people believe that the zoo is for kids, but I love visiting zoos whenever I travel and the NC Zoo is fantastic! It’s actually the world’s largest natural habitat zoo.
They have a North America and Africa section and their Asia exhibit is currently under construction. You will definitely get your exercise in on a visit to the zoo!
There are plenty of snack bars and restaurants here but they also have picnic areas by the parking lot if you want to pack your own food.
9. Durham
Durham is such a fun day trip! Visit Eno River State Park or walk around the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Catch a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center if you’re in town at the right time.
I love exploring downtown Durham too. If you visit on the weekend, there are all kinds of events going on and I love the Farmer’s Market and local craft markets they have.
Check out the American Tobacco Campus where there are different restaurants and retail spaces. There are also a few great breweries in town – my favorite is Fullsteam and Durty Bull.
I also love eating at the Durham Food Hall but there are plenty of great restaurants in town.
10. Charlotte
We’ve taken numerous day trips from Mount Airy to visit Carowinds in Charlotte and my husband used to visit the US Whitewater Center all the time.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a neat stop if you are interested at all in the sport – my husband is a super fan but I tagged along and found it fun. If you venture downtown, then you’ll want to check out some of the many murals.
There are breweries galore here too. We also loved eating at Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe and Fahrenheit Charlotte offers some amazing city views, though it’s expensive.
You can easily turn Charlotte into a weekend getaway and there are tons of great places to stay in the city.
11. Boone
Boone and the surrounding High Country is one of my all time favorites to visit for a day trip. You can’t beat the Blue Ridge Mountain views and the small town vibe.
I actually posted an Instagram Reel all about how to take a day trip to the area in the fall. Start with a sunrise hike at Rough Ridge – you’ll want to get there well before sunrise as this gets crowded.
Dan’l Boone Inn is an iconic place to eat here but there are tons of other restaurants in Boone you should try. In addition to Rough Ridge, stop at Moses Cone Memorial Park or Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Boone Fork Trail at Julian Price has been one of my favorite hikes in NC but I also love Elk Knob State Park. Grandfather Mountain is also a popular attraction nearby.
There are so many fun things to do in Boone that you’ll end up wanting to stay longer than a day.
12. New River Trail State Park, VA
I love taking our bikes up here and riding the New River on a Sunday afternoon, especially in the fall. The section that we have done the most is riding from the Gambetta Access to Fries Junction.
Once we reach the Junction, we’ve gone left and right and ridden until we wanted to turn around. It’s really up to you how far you want to go, but remember if you didn’t run a shuttle for your cars, then you have to ride back!
When planning your trip, double check that the bridges are open because they have closed a few of them to renovate.
Pack a picnic and some snacks – there are plenty of picnic areas along the trail. It’s gorgeous as it winds through the woods following the river.
13. Blacksburg, VA
This one is special to me because I went to Virginia Tech for my first two years of college. There are tons of neat things to do in Blacksburg.
Walking around Virginia Tech itself is absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of cute shops to check out in downtown Blacksburg.
If you have time, in the morning hike McAfee’s Knob or Dragon’s Tooth then come back south to explore Blacksburg for the afternoon.
They have a great Farmer’s Market in town but if you’re looking for a hearty lunch, then eat at The Blacksburg Tavern. The fried chicken is amazing.
Cabo Fish Taco and Cellar are great choices too. As a college town, there are also no shortage of bars to choose from. Sharkey’s and Rivermill are two of my favorites.
14. Bristol, TN
Ahh Bristol. If you like NASCAR, then you’ll want to visit Bristol Motor Speedway on race day. There are plenty of other attractions in Bristol though.
Downtown is super cute and walkable where you can visit cute stores, State Street Brewery, and see the iconic Bristol “A Good Place to Live” sign.
You also don’t want to miss The Birthplace of Country Music Museum which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. This will teach you all about Bristol’s role in the beginning of the country music genre.
You’ll find some of the best fly fishing around in the South Holston River – fishing in Bristol was my first experience fly fishing!
15. Winterplace Ski Resort, WV
If you’re looking for something to do in the winter, head up to Winterplace Ski Resort. It’s an easy day trip from Mount Airy as it’s a straight shot up I-77 and about an hour and 45 minutes away.
This is where I first learned to snowboard! Depending on weather, I would recommend going here over the resorts in North Carolina. It’s the best ski resort in West Virginia for beginners, but they do have black diamond slopes.
The food at their cafeteria isn’t the greatest, so I recommend bringing some food with you that you can eat for lunch. After you’re done skiing, you could also head out to Weathered Ground Brewery nearby – they have amazing pizza.
It’s a really affordable option for skiing or snowboarding and if you’re learning, they have a great “Learn to Ski & Snowboard Package.”
Wrap Up: Day Trips from Mount Airy, NC
I love this area of the southeast because of the natural beauty, but you’re also so close to major cities if you want to check them out for the day.
No matter which day trip from Mount Airy you choose, it’s always fun to explore some other areas of NC, VA, or TN.
Taking day trips is one of my favorite ways to explore locally!
