Delightful Downtowns: Exploring the Historic Main Streets of Surry County, NC

Tourism Partnership of Surry County

Picture a charming American main street or historic town square, and chances are you’ll conjure a mental image that looks a lot like one of Surry County’s downtowns. Home to the tight-knit and friendly communities of Mount Airy, Elkin, Dobson and Pilot Mountain, Surry County’s walkable and lively commercial districts are beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Sip, Savor and Stroll the Sidewalks

Thanks to recently designated social districts in Mount Airy, Elkin and Pilot Mountain, it’s perfectly legal – and highly encouraged! – to stroll the sidewalk with a craft beer or local glass of wine in hand while popping into independent boutiques, browsing art galleries and listening to live street musicians.

“All of our downtowns have a historic designation, and they’re all walkable,” says Leslie Schlender, economic development director for the Town of Elkin. “We have made a point with our venues and assets across the county to embrace nightlife, music and the arts.”

Frequent community events and weekend festivals provide even more reasons to get out and explore the downtowns in Surry County NC, from monthly art walks to outdoor summer concerts and food truck roundups. While the region is globally celebrated for its vineyards – the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) was North Carolina’s very first federally recognized wine-growing region – several new craft breweries are sure to please hops lovers, too.

Improving, Preserving and Investing in the Future

Surry County’s charming downtowns have made intentional investments and development decisions in recent years – and the strategy is paying off.

In Dobson, the sprawling 2.5-acre Dobson Square Park features an outdoor amphitheater, a children’s splash pad and a newly commissioned mural that has quickly become a popular photo and selfie spot for visitors.

“Dobson understands the importance of growing the downtown economy to leverage investments, create jobs and improve quality of life for its citizens,” says Travis Frye, tourism coordinator with the Dobson & Surry County Tourism Development Authority.

Mount Airy may be famous for its historic storefronts and charming streets, but it’s also looking to the future with a focus on infrastructure, facade improvements and new housing units. On weekends, the Market Street Arts & Entertainment District transforms a major section of the commercial core into a pedestrian-only gathering spot, featuring local food trucks, live acoustic music, public art and independent regional vendors.

Downtown Elkin is building on its momentum as a prime arts and outdoors destination, adding new signage to assist pedestrians and cyclists, facilitating facade improvements for historic buildings, and creating beautification and public art projects, including a rotating sculpture program. Additionally, the Explore Elkin initiative has funded an ongoing, year-round roster of live music and outdoor concerts that have been enthusiastically embraced by the local community.

Pilot Mountain’s strategic revitalization efforts are also on display along its main corridors. The town added 32 new housing units over the 2024–2025 development cycle, backed by an impressive $2.3 million in local private investment. Today, the walkable downtown area boasts a diverse collection of farm-to-table restaurants, independent art galleries, antique shops and an ever-expanding trail of colorful outdoor murals.