Fun Things to Do in Fayetteville, North Carolina – Late Spring or early summer 2018 my family and I will be taking a short road trip “down south” to Fayetteville, North Carolina, an approx 5- 6 hour trip along I-95 from the Baltimore/Washington metro area. We are busy looking up educational activities, fun places to go, museums, theaters and just in general planning to make this mini family vacation a fun, exciting and fabulous experience. Fayetteville, North Carolina prides itself on being the home of the U.S. Army base, Fort Bragg, which is known for their elite 82nd Airborne and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Hats are always off to the service men and women on this nation and Fayetteville holds the claim to “freedom’s home.”
Fayetteville houses several museums and parks and is famous for being the first American city named for the Marquis de LaFayette. Our family is thankful for our freedom and for the men and women who fight for our country making Fayetteville the ultimate place for PATRIOTS! We hope to be able to pay our respects at the Special Operations Memorial Plaza and gain some knowledge about the battles that took place right on these grounds – like the Battle of Averasboro in 1865. We are looking forward to some fun adventures and I bet your family would too if you added Fayetteville, North Carolina to your summer road trip itinerary. Let’s see what you can expect when you arrive in this fun southern town. As you can see, I’ve been all over the visitors center website planning some fun so I know exactly what to expect!
Fun Tip #1 – Check out Cape Fear Botanical Garden! Visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and take in nature’s beauty. Birds and butterflies abound and the season’s blooms will scent the air and dazzle the eye. There are perennial gardens, a natural amphitheater, wildflowers and nature trails overlooking the Cross Creek River and the Cape Fear River. Displays of historical farming tools and techniques show how tobacco, cotton, and other southern crops were gown in the southeastern United States. You can even find a restored farmhouse on the grounds. And while you are visiting the area, why not take an opportunity to try something new? Attend a workshop to refine your gardening skills, , try your hand at art or join a guided nature walk – there’s something for everyone.
Fun Tip #2 – Visit the Poe House – Built in 1897 by Fayetteville business man E. A. Poe, this house is part of the Museum of Cape Fear Historical Complex and tours offer a view into the life of a middle class family at the turn of the 20th Century.
Fun Tip #3 – Go Zip Lining! – Right near the gates of Fort Bragg you can visit Spring Lake, the base camp for freedom. ZipQuest is a world renowned zip line park where my adventure loving family may go to get our thrills and chills. We can also paddle the lower Little River or browse the local produce at the Sandhills Farmers’ Market.
Fun Tip #4 – Visit Fort Bragg! – Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the country, was originally settled in 1739 and has been an active military base, sending it’s elite 82nd Airborne soldiers into Iraq, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and troops are still protecting the U.S. in the Middle East today. Visit museums, watch formations and see our soldiers hard at work. You’ll gain a new understanding of appreciation for the word FREEDOM.
Fun Tip #5 – Watch Paratroopers in Action! – While you are visiting Fort Bragg, why not watch some actual airborne jumps at the Sicily Drop Zone! Watch paratroopers floating through the sky above Fort Bragg as they practice their craft and gain experience. Call 910-396-6366 for a jump schedule.
Fun Tip #6 – Take in a Race! – Fayetteville Motorsports Park Dragway will appeal to young and old alike. Sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association, this drag strip features street drag racing on a ¼ mile track. Check their schedule to see what’s in town when you are. There are races, car shows and charity events.
Fun Tip #7 – Go see a Game! – The Fayetteville Swampdogs minor league baseball team may be in town when you visit and you’ll want to take the family and see a game. Minor league games are always family oriented, with giveaways, interactive announcing and the players are usually friendly and more accessible than at the major league level. Playing in the Coastal Plain League, the Swampdogs play at J.P. Riddle Stadium and won 2017 1st Half East Division Title last season. They have had 7 division titles and continue to rank among the league’s best in wins each and every season. Minor league baseball is baseball at it’s finest. Take the family for an inexpensive night out and enjoy the enthusiasm and hard work these young players bring to the game.
Fayetteville, North Carolina should now be on your “radar” after learning about all the fun activities and beautiful sights there are to be seen! Smaller cities like Fayetteville have that home-town feel so you won’t get overwhelmed like you do in bigger cities such as NYC or say Boston for example. Entertainment is more affordable, lines are shorter and nature is often brought to the forefront. Think about giving Fayetteville a try. I know this family of four is excited that our visit is only a few short months away!…. stay tuned! You may just event find a video of our fun for the Family Finds Fun YouTube channel!
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