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Top Things To Do in Fayetteville, NC
Are you looking for fun things to do in Fayetteville, NC? Here are the top 15 things to do in Fayetteville!
Are you thinking about making Fayetteville your new home? From world-class military history to outdoor adventures and vibrant cultural scenes, this military-friendly city offers an exceptional quality of life for families and professionals alike.
Fayetteville is a lovely place to live, visit, and explore. It is the seat of Cumberland County and is a large and thriving community in the Sandhills Region of North Carolina.
This dynamic city of over 200,000 residents offers a perfect blend of Southern charm, rich history, family-friendly attractions, and modern amenities.
Whether you're relocating for military service, career opportunities, or simply seeking a welcoming community to call home, Fayetteville's diverse attractions provide year-round entertainment and enrichment opportunities.
Here are the top 15 things to do in Fayetteville that make it an ideal place to plant roots.
1. Lake Rim Park
Your neighborhood oasis awaits at Lake Rim Park, Fayetteville's crown jewel spanning 150 acres around a pristine 35-acre lake. The park features walking trails perfect for morning jogs, fishing spots where you can teach your kids to cast a line, and picnic areas ideal for weekend family gatherings.
The lake offers peaceful kayaking and canoeing opportunities, while the surrounding trails provide excellent bird-watching for nature enthusiasts. For new residents, this park becomes your backyard escape without leaving the city.
You can take a relaxing walk on the one-mile border trail through the wetlands to Bone Creek, play an assortment of games & activities, or have a family picnic at one of their many tables.
Games and activities include soccer fields, horseshoe pits, walking trails, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, athletic fields, and natural areas. Dogs are welcome at the park as long as they are well-behaved and constantly on a leash.
2. Crown Complex
As Fayetteville's premier entertainment venue, the Crown Complex will become your go-to destination for major concerts, sporting events, and trade shows. This multipurpose facility hosts everything from touring Broadway shows to monster truck rallies, ensuring you'll never be short of entertainment options.
The complex regularly features big-name musical acts, comedy shows, and family entertainment throughout the year. Living in Fayetteville means having access to major entertainment venues typically found only in larger metropolitan areas, making it feel like you have the best of both worlds.
3. Fayetteville History Museum
Understanding your new community's rich heritage becomes essential when making anywhere home, and this museum serves as your gateway to Fayetteville's fascinating past. The Fayetteville History Museum showcases the area's transformation from a colonial crossroads to a modern military hub through carefully curated exhibits and artifacts.
Interactive displays detail the role of the Cape Fear River in regional development, the impact of the Civil War, and the evolution of Fort Bragg. The museum regularly rotates special exhibits focusing on different aspects of local history, from early Native American settlements to the city's role in various military conflicts.
New residents often find that understanding local history helps them connect more deeply with their community and appreciate the cultural foundations that make Fayetteville unique.
4. Airborne and Special Operations Museum
The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is a world-renowned museum and a source of community pride that you'll want to share with visiting friends and family.
The museum honors the legacy of airborne and special operations forces with immersive exhibits, authentic aircraft, and interactive displays. Living near Fort Bragg means being part of a community with deep military connections, and this museum helps civilian residents understand and appreciate the sacrifice and service of their military neighbors.
The museum frequently hosts special events and educational programs that bring the community together. Admission is free, and the museum offers a main exhibit gallery, a temporary gallery, a four-story tall theater, a gift shop, and a motion simulator ride with two experiences.
5. Cape Fear Botanical Garden
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a non-profit that connects everyone with nature. This is a year-round sanctuary for peace and natural beauty spanning 80 acres along the Cape Fear River.
The garden features themed areas including a Heritage Garden showcasing plants used by early settlers, a Children's Garden perfect for family outings, and nature trails that change with the seasons.
Members enjoy special events, workshops, and early access to seasonal displays, making it a worthwhile investment for nature-loving residents. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is an excellent place for adults and children to enjoy the outdoors and have private events.
6. Segra Stadium
Home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a Houston Astros affiliate, Segra Stadium brings professional baseball excitement to your doorstep. This modern 5,200-seat stadium opened in 2019 and offers an authentic minor league baseball experience with affordable family entertainment.
Beyond baseball season, the stadium hosts concerts, community events, and festivals. Season ticket packages make it easy for families to enjoy regular outings, and the stadium's downtown location means you can easily combine games with dinner at local restaurants, supporting your new community's economy.
7. Arnette Park
Arnette Park is a 44-acre community hub that serves as Fayetteville's outdoor recreation headquarters, featuring facilities that cater to active lifestyles year-round.
The park houses the city's aquatic center with multiple pools, tennis courts, walking trails, and sports fields. For families with children, the playground equipment and open spaces provide endless entertainment options.
The park regularly hosts community events, sports leagues, and fitness programs, making it an excellent place for new residents to meet neighbors and integrate into the community social fabric.
With over 100 acres to explore, you will never get bored at Arnette Park. Arnette Park is open to the public daily from 9 am - Dusk during the summer hours and 9 am - 4 pm during the winter hours. At Arnette Park, you can enjoy picnic pavilions, ball fields, playgrounds, and more, making it a popular park in Fayetteville.
Amenities at this park include:
- Baseball regulation
- Concessions
- Disc golf course
- Football/soccer
- Green space
- Horseshoes
- Picnic shelters
- Playground equipment
- Restrooms
- Tennis courts
- Track (walk/jog)
- Trails (hiking/pleasure)
- Volleyball (outdoor)
- Youth baseball
- Girls Softball
Additionally, pets are welcome, but they must be on a leash at all times and must be cleaned up after.
8. Sweet Tea Shakespeare
Experience professional theater with a distinctly Southern twist at this beloved local company that performs in venues throughout the city. Sweet Tea Shakespeare brings classic works to life with regional flair, often incorporating local dialects and contemporary relevance.
Their outdoor summer performances are particularly popular among residents, creating magical evenings under the Carolina stars. Season subscriptions offer significant savings and guaranteed seating for popular shows, while supporting local arts helps strengthen the cultural fabric of your new hometown.
They present engaging and accessible performances of Shakespeare and other classic plays while serving food, beer, wine, and their signature sweet tea.
9. Cape Fear Regional Theatre
As the area's premier professional theater company, Cape Fear Regional Theatre produces a diverse season of contemporary plays, musicals, and classics in their intimate 285-seat venue.
The theater offers acting classes, youth programs, and volunteer opportunities that help new residents become actively involved in local cultural life. Many long-time residents consider their theater subscription an essential part of their social calendar and community engagement.
The six-show main stage season and robust education and outreach programs serve over 62,000 audience members a year from all ages and varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, including nearly 22,000 students from around the region.
10. ZipQuest - Waterfall & Treetop Adventure
When you need an adrenaline rush without leaving town, ZipQuest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure offers one of the most unique outdoor adventures in North Carolina.
This treetop canopy tour features multiple ziplines, sky bridges, and rappelling opportunities through 30 acres of forest. The experience concludes with a dramatic 900-foot zipline over a 40-foot waterfall, an adventure you'll want to share with every visitor to your new home.
ZipQuest also offers night tours and special packages, making it a go-to destination for celebrations and visiting family entertainment.
ZipQuest has two different adventures to choose from. The Waterfall Expedition allows you to explore nature with eight tree-to-tree ziplines, three suspension bridges, three spiral staircases, and a view of Carver's Falls.
The Treetop Excursion has five tree-to-tree ziplines, one suspension bridge, and two spiral staircases.
11. Fasciante-U Children's Museum
The Fascinate-U Children's Museum is perfect for families with young children. This hands-on museum sparks imagination and learning through interactive exhibits designed for ages 2-12. The museum features a mini grocery store, construction zone, art studio, and science exploration areas where children learn through play.
Special programs include story times, science demonstrations, and seasonal activities that provide regular entertainment for local families. Membership packages offer unlimited visits and discounts on special events, making it an economical choice for active families.
12. Cameo Art House Theatre
This intimate venue showcases independent films, documentaries, and foreign cinema that you won't find at mainstream theaters. The Cameo Art House Theatre serves as Fayetteville's cultural cinema hub, often hosting film discussions, director Q&As, and themed movie series.
For film enthusiasts, having access to art house cinema adds intellectual and cultural depth to your entertainment options. The theater also partners with local organizations for special screenings and fundraising events, connecting movie lovers with community causes.
The Cameo Art House Theater was home to Fayetteville's first motion picture theater: The New Dixie. It opened in October 2000 with a Hollywood-style gala to benefit the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.
In 2003, Cameo added a second screen, the Loge, which contains 38 stadium-style seats in an intimate screening room. Today, the Cameo has 125 velvet-covered cast iron opera-style chairs, a Dolby digital sound and projection system, four film screening formats, and a lobby.
Cameo has been recognized as the "coolest place downtown," the "best movie theater in Fayetteville," and the "best place to take a date." According to their website, the Cameo has screened hundreds of arts, independent, foreign, and classic films.
13. North Carolina Veteran's Park
North Carolina Veteran's Park is a 37-acre tribute to military service that provides a reflective space honoring all branches of the armed forces. The park features memorials, walking trails, and peaceful areas for contemplation.
Living in a military community means understanding and appreciating service members' sacrifices, and this park serves as a beautiful reminder of that commitment.
The park hosts Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies that bring the community together in remembrance and gratitude, fostering the strong military-civilian bonds that characterize Fayetteville.
14. Dogwood Festival
Mark your calendar for this annual springtime celebration that transforms downtown Fayetteville into a festival wonderland each April. The Dogwood Festival features live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and family activities spread across multiple blocks.
This event embodies Fayetteville's community spirit and provides new residents with an perfect opportunity to meet neighbors, discover local businesses, and experience the city's welcoming culture.
Many families make the festival an annual tradition, returning year after year to enjoy the festivities and see how their community grows and changes.
15. Historic Downtown District
Your new hometown's heart beats strongest in the historic downtown district, where tree-lined streets showcase beautifully preserved architecture, local restaurants, unique shops, and art galleries. Regular events like Fourth Friday celebrations bring music, food trucks, and community gatherings to the streets.
The downtown area represents Fayetteville's commitment to preserving its past while embracing its future, offering everything from antique shopping to craft breweries. Living in Fayetteville means having a walkable, vibrant downtown where you can grab dinner, catch live music, or simply enjoy evening strolls.
Methodology
Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and local businesses to determine the best things to do in Fayetteville, NC.
FAQs
What is Fayetteville, NC, best known for?
Fayetteillve is best known for its strong military presence, rich history, lively downtown area, and accessability to the Cape Fear River.
Why is Fayetteville called the 2-6?
Fayetteville, NC, is nicknamed the 2-6 since it is home to the Second Batallion, Sixth Infantry Regiment based at Fort Bragg.
Things to do in Fayetteville, NC - Final Thoughts
These attractions represent just a fraction of what makes Fayetteville an exceptional place to call home. The city offers big-city amenities with small-town friendliness, excellent schools, friendly neighborhoods, diverse housing options, and a cost of living that allows families to truly enjoy life.
Whether you're drawn by career opportunities, military connections, or simply the appeal of Southern hospitality, Fayetteville welcomes new residents with open arms and endless opportunities to build lasting memories.
Ready to discover your new home in Fayetteville? Contact Raleigh Realty today to explore the neighborhoods and properties that will put you right in the heart of all this amazing city has to offer.
