Explore military history and more in flourishing Fayetteville, North Carolina
This military-proud town is adjacent to the largest Army base in the world, Fort Bragg. But there’s also a redeveloping downtown (reminiscent of Greenville about 15 years ago), plenty of good restaurants, and enough unique attractions to fill a long weekend in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Most visitor attractions are centered in or near downtown, and a stay The MacPherson House bed and breakfast, in the historic Hays District, puts you close to the action. Owners Katy and Michael Stevick are former military who were stationed at Fort Bragg and fell in love with the Fayetteville area. Now restored and relocated, the 1920s farmhouse was originally built on the MacPherson family’s farm, one of the largest producers of grain in North Carolina. The B&B offers five rooms, a separate cottage, and a delicious full breakfast each morning.
Be sure to explore the Cool Springs Downtown District. The tree-lined street offers eclectic shopping, some amazing restaurants, and is home to Segra Stadium where the local baseball team, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, plays. If you’re in town on a Fourth Friday, the city shuts down Hay Street and vendors set up tents to sell their wares.
To truly understand the significance of the history and heroics of some of the special forces who have trained at Fort Bragg, visit the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Museum. ASOM features exhibits celebrating more than 80 years of U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces from 1940 to today. The free museum has a restored WACO CG-4A glider and a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter, along with other immersive displays.
For a shady, tranquil respite just two miles from downtown, head to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Located—you guessed it—alongside the Cape Fear River, the gardens feature 80 acres of landscaped gardens, a river walk, over three miles of walking trails, a butterfly garden, a pond, and a visitor center with gift shop.
For more history of the area, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex covers the history of southeastern North Carolina from pre-historic times to the present. Tours of the adjacent 1897 Victoria-era Poe House (no relation to Edgar Allen Poe) are offered every hour. At the Arsenal Bridge and Ruins, you can explore the remains of the Fayetteville Arsenal that General Sherman burned during the Civil War.
Where to Stay, Eat and Play in Fayetteville
Stay
The MacPherson House Bed & Breakfast – Historic MacPherson House features renovated rooms and a full breakfast served daily.
701 Hay St.
Eat
Pan – House-made condiments and locally sourced meats fill the paninis and sandwiches at this great lunch spot, which features outdoor seating.
105 Hay St.
Antonella’s Italian Ristorante – Fresh pasta and local favorites such as chicken a la Giovanni and veal parmigiana make a tasty dinner.
300 Hay St.
Blanc Coffee Roasters – Get your coffee fix at this micro-roastery, which sources its beans from small-scale farms in carefully selected regions.
103 Person St.
Superior Bakery – Need a sugar fix? Find pillowy fresh-fried donuts outside downtown at this local institution, which has been baking since 1956.
2433 Hope Mills Rd.
Blue Moon Cafe – Seek out this hip cafe for its tapas menu and craft food selection.
310 Hay St.
Circa 1800 – A great brunch or dinner option—don’t miss the popular Southern egg rolls, made with bacon, braised collards, pimiento cheese, and red pepper jelly.
108 Person St.
Play
Cameo Art House Theatre – Indie, foreign, and classic films capture an old-world essence on two screens in Cameo’s early twentieth-century movie house.
225 Hay St.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden – Landscaped gardens and nature trails thread these 80 acres along the Cape Fear River.
536 N. Eastern Blvd.
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex – A gallery of history exhibits, two historic homes, and the ruins of the 1856 Fayetteville Arsenal are contained within the complex.
801 Arsenal Ave.
U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Museum – Exhibits here celebrate more than 80 years of Army Airborne and Special Ops history.
100 Bragg Blvd., asomf.org
For more information, visit distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
