This North Carolina Road Trip Takes You From Pilot Mountain To Grandfather Mountain

Is there any better way to create lifelong memories with family or friends than by piling into the car and taking a fun North Carolina road trip? As kids, we may have taken these fun adventures a bit for granted. But as adults, we know the value of spending quality time together. If you would like you can make any of these day trips from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, or pick either end of the road trip to start and end. Come along with us as we take a fun 3.5-hour ride from Pilot Mountain to Grandfather Mountain with some interesting stops along the way.

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First up, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in all of North Carolina!

Pilot Mountain State Park, 1721 Pilot Knob Park Rd, Pinnacle, NC 27043, USA

Malcolm MacGregor / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images

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Google/Rachel Land

We'll start this journey with a visit to Pilot Mountain. There are several access points to the state park here. Admire the mountain from well below the summit or get a closer look on one of the many trails in the park. Pilot Mountain State Park is open year-round (except Christmas Day) and admission is free.
Get a little bit more familiar with this incredible location with this video from Journey to All National Parks:

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Snappy Lunch, 125 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030, USA

Google/Aaron Brooks

Let's get this road trip off to a hearty start with breakfast (or lunch) at another icon: Snappy Lunch in downtown Mt. Airy. Made famous by Andy Griffith who grew up in Mt. Airy, Snappy Lunch has been around forever. It's open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
To get a behind the scenes look make sure you check out this fun and funny video from The Lee and Hayley Show:

New River State Park Road, New River State Park Rd, North Carolina 28644, USA

Google/thefarside79

Let the food settle as you make your way to our third stop on this fun family road trip: New River State Park.

Google/Brenda Bare

Hike, picnic, camp, canoe, or just stay long enough to check this spot out for a much longer future visit. But don't leave without laying eyes on the scenic New River — one the oldest rivers in the world. Some scientists place its age as old as 360 million years.
Make sure to check out this beautiful river in this video by Journey to All National Parks:

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Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, State, Park Road, 8448, 1481 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA

Google/Frank Ruggiero

Next, we'll drive high above the surrounding terrain to the summit of Mount Jefferson. From the parking area you can take the Summit Trail (.3 mile) or the longer Mountain Ridge Trail (2 miles) to the Jefferson Overlook (pictured) for a view you won't soon forget.
Make sure to learn more about this drivable mountain top from this video from Journey to All National Parks:

Ashe County Cheese, 106 E Main St, West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA

TripAdvisor/Gayle M

Back in the car, you'll point the dashboard toward West Jefferson and head straight to the Ashe County Cheese Factory. If you're lucky, you'll arrive while cheese making is in progress and get to watch through the window. Either way, get here during business hours and you'll get to shop from the factory's collection of cheeses and more in the company store. (Bring a cooler to keep your stash safe until you get home.)
For a behind the scenes look at this lovely little cheese place hear from the nice people who make it in this video by ReiserVideos:

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Todd Mercantile, 3899 Todd Railroad Grade Rd, Todd, NC 28684, USA

Google/Todd Mercantile

Google/Jim Weimer

We're taking a slight detour from West Jefferson just so we can pass right through the tiny community of Todd and stop at its world famous mercantile. Todd Mercantile is packed with charm. It has oodles of items for sale (think gifts that are perfect for anyone) as well as a small cafe. If you see cinnamon rolls in the case, get one! It's your lucky day.
If you have not been we can't quite give you the sweet smell of the cinnamon rolls, but what we can give you is another video by Todd New River Festival 2020 showcasing this unique place:

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina 28646, USA

JillLang / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

Not too far from Todd, we'll reach the final destination on this road trip: Grandfather Mountain. Note, the attraction does charge an entry fee, but this is the only spot on the entire road trip that does. It's worth the admission price to experience walking over the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Google/Kenny Masters

But just in case you're afraid of heights, know that Grandfather Mountain has other attractions, too, like the Nature Museum, the Top Shop gift shop on top of the mountain, Nature Habitats for bears, otters, and many more. Driving in, you'll spin around the famous Forrest Gump Curve and pass by Sphinx and Split Rocks. There really is a lot to see and do here and you could spend hours exploring it all.
Before you go learn more about this exquisite state park with this video from North Carolina Weekend on PBS NC:

Some of our very best memories from childhood include road trips with the family. It’s never too late to share those good times with our own kids. Spend the whole day making it one long road trip or make it one of those epic day trips from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Either way pile into the car and take this North Carolina road trip from Pilot Mountain over to Grandfather Mountain for a day trip to remember.

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