We are going to Mt. Airy at the end of July/Fist part of August. My dad has always wanted to go to "Mayberry" and we are wanting to make the trip while he is able. So we'll do all the touristy things in Mt. Airy, but then thought a few days we might do some short day trips. My parents will most likely stay at the VRBO, so it'll be my husband and I and our three kids. Any good short little day trips we could do from there? Our Cabin is in Fancy Gap VA. Any suggestions. We'll be there most likely for 4-5 nights. Thanks.

It's great that you are going to Mayberry for your dad. It's cool.
But there's nor a lot there to do. It won't take several days to "see everything" but since you are renting a place you can venture into town to each lunch at different places. Driving the BRP is a fabulous choice. There's a wonderful dinner restaurant at a nearby winery. Be sure to schedule a ride for him through town in the cop car!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti..._Carolina.html
I wonder if there's a drive in movie nearby. That would be fun!

Thank you- A drive In would be fun! I'll take a look. We will probably spend a day and a half in actual Mt. Airy. He has been looking at the places he wants to see and several restaurants are on his list as well like Snappy Lunch. He also would like to visit some trout streams- even if we don't fish he just likes to look around. So I've been looking at some of that as well. Thanks for your help!

What is your route? Are you driving? If so, I may have other suggestions along your route.

We are driving from Central Arkansas. Spending three nights outside of the GSMNP in Maggie Valley. Then we will head up towards Mt. Airy. Staying three days in Meadows of Dan, Virginia ( thought it was Fancy Gap, but it wasn't) then driving to Williamstown Kentucky for 2 nights to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum before heading back home towards Central Arkansas. Thanks.

Go to Winston Salem for the day. Tour Old Salem--your kids will love it. Be sure to stop at the Winkler Bakery and get some goodies. Our kids used to bring the bread and cookies out the door and sit on ther curb and eat it!! Reynolda House may have an exhibit open to the public.
There might be a baseball game for their AAA team.
NC zoo at Asheboro just south of Greensboro.
A bit further would be Seagrove and its 60+ potteries. There's a nice museum there also.
Wineries. BBQ--eat BBQ!! Lexington is the BBQ capital just off I85.
Touring the universities--Duke, Wake Forest and Chapel Hill. Planetarium at Chapel Hill.
Hillsboro is a nice little historic town

Thanks for the suggestions! Old Salem does look like something
the kids ( and myself) would enjoy.

There is also the Southern Museum of Decorative Arts there that is lovely! Don't miss it.