Being the 6th largest city in North Carolina, Fayetteville also known as the home of fort liberty has received the all-American City Award three times from the national civic league, it is the largest metropolitan in southeastern North Carolina.
Near fort liberty is an economic mainstay that is into the manufacturing of automotive products, power tools and tires.
The city has a museum of the cape fear historical complex that exhibits the history and development of North Carolina, it also has John Kennedy’s special warfare museum.
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Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Source: Flickr/Damselfly | CC BY-SA 2.0 GenericCape Fear Botanical Garden is an amazing place to visit and learn about nature while also relaxing.
It is located along Eastern Boulevard n the river, the garden is one of the 15 best things to do in Fayetteville.
The 80-acre garden has loads of things to see such as daffodils, camellias, a dedicated children’s garden and more.
Take a walk through the themed gardens and engage in educational classes or a horticulture workshop, and visit the gift shop and general store to buy stuff for friends and family.
There are also some antique collections to explore in the farmhouse such as farm tools and exhibitions on harvesting tobacco, cotton, and other crops.
Address: 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
Museum of the Cape Fear
Source: Wikimedia/Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedWant to learn about the local history and culture of Fayetteville?
Then visit the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex where travellers can learn about the history of southern North Carolina from the Civil War days to American Indian culture to settlements, textiles, and much more.
With a lot of exhibits on display, there is always something to see from the Arsenal Park which has remains of a manufacturing factory for weapons back in the days which served the government and confederates.
Other sites to see include the 1897 late-Victorian house museum known as the “Poe House” where early 20th-century exhibitions detail technology, social and economic changes, and women’s role in society.
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Address: 801 Arsenal Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28305, United States
Clark Park Nature Center
Source: Flickr/Kristy Dactyl | CC BY 2.0 GenericDedicated to environmental conservation, the Clark Park Nature Center also known as the J. Bayard Clark Park Nature Center is another amazing place to relax in Fayetteville.
It provides a perfect spot for outdoor lovers who would like to explore the wild.
Tourists and visitors can enjoy the sights of snakes, turtles, and fish while also walking along wooden nature trails by the Cape Fear River.
It is a children-friendly location and its playground allows for picnics where a small waterfall is visible.
Other events to experience include talks on fungi, edible and medicinal plants, dung beetles, spiders, storytime, and more.
Also, the trails wind up from Clark Park and join Cape Fear River with an amazing experience.
Address: 631 Sherman Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
The Climbing Place
Source: Unsplash/Gabriel Vasiliu (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseFor travellers and residents looking to take the family to a place where kids can have a swell time, Climbing Place is a perfect destination.
Located in the middle of the Historical Downtown district, it is Fayetteville’s leading indoor climbing and bouldering gym.
The place is packed with everything for both beginners and experienced climbers as well.
It is a walk-in environment and all equipment is made available to ensure families have the best fun.
The Climbing Place has 20,000 square feet of space to climb and scale, climb ropes, rocks and so much more.
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Address: 436 W Russell St, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
Gillis Hill Farm
Source: Unsplash/Federico Respini (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseAfter the Climbing Place, the next best place to unwind is the Gillis Hill Farm.
This family farm in Fayetteville, North Carolina has been passed down to 9 generations.
It offers wagon rides and tours; an ice cream shop is available as part of the main attractions on the farm.
Travellers get to enjoy free walking tours around the farm after buying the ice cream and see live farm works ongoing.
This self-guided tour allows visitors to see animals up close and also feed them, explore the play yard games, buildings, swings and so much more.
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Address: 2701 Gillis Hill Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306, United States
Segra Stadium
Source: Wikimedia/jalexartis Photography | CC BY 2.0 GenericAlthough Fayetteville does not boast of any Major League Basketball team, they have a Minor League team “the Fayetteville Woodpeckers” that call the Segra Stadium home.
Guests who love sports can visit the stadium which is quite new to the city since it opened in 2019.
It plays host to over 4,500 fans and its total capacity is close to 10,000.
It is a great way to see the teams play up close rather than just on TV. The Segra Stadium is a must-see.
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Address: 460 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
1897 Poe House
Source: Wikimedia/Epicjeff | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedExplore the 1897 Poe House which was home to Edgar Allan Poe although not the renowned author of “The Raven”.
Poe was simply a Fayetteville businessman who owned the property with his wife Josephine.
It was converted into a museum to preserve history and this house takes guests back into the city’s past.
The museum is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm and keeps the memory of the not-so-famous E. A Poe detailing his life in North Carolina.
Address: 206 Bradford Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28305, United States
Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation
Source: Wikimedia/Gary Todd | Public Domain Mark 1.0The museum was opened in August 2000 as a first-class institution that captures and preserves the rich history of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations.
Exhibits here showcase the role of the U.S. Army Airborne Special Ops Forces from 1940 to date.
Visitors get to learn about the heritage, culture, and honours of over 80 years of service to the nations.
There are virtual tours and continuing education programs for anyone who wants to experience the museum.
Address: 100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
ZipQuest – Waterfall and Treetop Adventure
Source: Unsplash/Nadiia Ganzhyi (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseThis is a two- and half-hour treetop tour that delivers an absolute adrenaline burst. Visitors will get the thrills of participating in 8-zipline and 3-canopy sky bridge activities.
The ZipQuest – Waterfall and Treetop Adventure is designed to cater for friends, families, groups, school children and more.
The galvanized cables are built to carry over 22,000 pounds of weight across the forest with remarkable steeps and topography.
The trip through the forest takes travelers to the Carver’s Falls which is a 150-foot wide and 20-foot-tall waterfall with magnificent views.
Reservations can be booked on their website to enjoy this thrill.
Address: 533 Carvers Falls Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311, United States
Riverside Dog Park Fayetteville
Source: Unsplash/Andriyko Podilnyk (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseThe Riverside Dog Park is just next to the lovely Botanical Gardens.
It is over 2 acres and nicely sized for dog walks.
The park has two sections, one for bigger dogs and the smaller section for small dogs under 25 pounds in size to roam about.
The park is green with natural grass covering the main grounds and some parts covered with gravel.
Poop bags are never in short supply here so travelers can rest assured they won’t leave poop on the grounds.
Some other amenities include benches, water fountains for dogs and people, a dog was area and so much more.
Address: 555 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
Escapology Escape Rooms Fayetteville
Source: Unsplash/Bernard Hermant (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseOne of Fayetteville’s premier attractions for thrill seekers is the Escapology Escape Rooms in Fayetteville.
This escape room offers real-life experiences and it is located just close to the city centre and admits about 8 players who have to work together to find clues, pick locks, solve puzzles, and many more just to escape the room.
So, visitors who can handle the tricks and solve the puzzles can engage in this activity with guaranteed fun.
Address: 2770 Freedom Pkwy Dr Suite #4, Fayetteville, NC 28314, United States
Auman Vineyards
Source: Unsplash/Maja Petric (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseExplore the abundance of Fayetteville in tea leaves and grape vines with numerous options.
The Auman Vineyards is one great place to visit and learn about its many decades of harvesting scuppernong and muscadine grapes.
The vineyard has been around since 1968 and still serves North Carolinians to date.
Visitors are allowed to pick their grapes from the vineyard or buy from vendors for those, not into the DIY stuff.
Located close to the vineyard is the Certified Roadside Farm Market where travellers can get local honey, chestnuts and more.
There are loads of top attractions in the city nearby to also go sightseeing as well.
Address: 1300 71st School Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314, United States
Fayetteville Area Transportation and History Museum
Source: Wikimedia/Msacquety | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedLocated close to the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Depot is the Fayetteville Area Transportation and History Museum.
This is one of the best museums to learn about the transportation system of the area including some local history of the people and culture.
The two-story brick building was built in the 18th century (1890) as a passenger depot with Romanesque architecture footprints all over it.
Today, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and houses exhibitions on both floors with an annexe that features vintage cars, model trains, a 1920s gas station, history of the fire department.
Farm life and so much more.
Address: 325 Franklin St, Fayetteville, NC 28301, United States
Cape Fear River Trail Fayetteville NC
Source: Flickr/bobistraveling | CC BY 2.0 GenericCheck out the stunning views of the five-mile Cape Fear River Trail which runs through a combination of woodlands and wetlands on the north side of Fayetteville.
This trail should be part of the items in any traveller’s bucket list of things to do in Fayetteville, it is a mix of flat surfaces and hills for the perfect vacation and hiking activity.
Experience the thrills of using wooden bridges over cliffs and boardwalks, and see wildlife in their natural habitats such as lizards, frogs, deer and so many more.
Overall, the trail is home to more than 700 species of plants and trees, and 150 species of birds which can be read about via the signages scattered around the trails.
Address: Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA
Fayetteville Rose Garden
Source: Unsplash/insung yoon (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseThe Fayetteville Rose Garden is another awesome place to relax in nature and is located inside Fayetteville Technical Community College.
Since its establishment in 1970, the garden has been serving the city with excellent sights for rose lovers and people who love the tranquil of living.
This 23-acre Rose Garden is home to more than 15,000 roses in different varieties both shape and color.
There are stone benches that have been decorated to keep visitors relaxed with friends and families.
Other amenities include picnic areas, a gazebo, fountains, and an 8-foot waterfall flowing into a natural pool.
This garden is known to host concerts, weddings, festivals, and private events.
Address: 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303, United States
Conclusion
Fayetteville may not seem like much to many travelers but it has a lot of rich history and fun activities to keep visitors and residents engaged.
The city is filled with museums to teach visitors about the culture and heritage of the area and the country at large.
Take the trails of the Cape Fear River and experience nature, visit its many gardens and parks, and have fun with the kids at the water park or the climbing place and create awesome memories together.
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