Fayetteville North Carolina Airborne Museum and Market House

Why visit Fayetteville

Fayetteville was formed in 1783 from the river towns of Campbellton and Cross Creek, which were settled by Highland Scots, and it was named after the Marquis de Lafayette. It served briefly as the state capital, and North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution here in 1789.

Today the city's identity is closely tied to Fort Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne Division and Army special operations forces. Visitors come for its excellent military museums, a historic downtown, minor league baseball and the gardens and trails along the Cape Fear River.

Historic downtown

Downtown Fayetteville is centered on the Market House and Hay Street.

Market House

The 1832 Market House stands in the middle of the main intersection downtown. It served as a town hall and market, and it was also a place where enslaved people were sold, a history now told on interpretive panels around the building.

Hay Street and Festival Park

Hay Street is lined with restored buildings housing restaurants, bars and shops, and Festival Park hosts outdoor concerts and the city's major festivals.

Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum

Set in the restored 1890 railroad depot, this small free museum covers the city's history of river trade, plank roads and railroads.

Segra Stadium

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a minor league baseball team, play at Segra Stadium on the edge of downtown, a lively place to spend a summer evening.

Military history

Fayetteville's military museums are among the best in the Southeast.

Airborne and Special Operations Museum

This striking museum downtown tells the story of America's paratroopers and special operations forces from World War II to the present, with aircraft, vehicles, dioramas and a motion simulator. Admission is free.

North Carolina Veterans Park

Next to the Airborne museum, this park honors North Carolina veterans with a visitor center, sculptures and a reflecting pool.

Fort Bragg museums

On the base, the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum and the JFK Special Warfare Museum display uniforms, weapons and aircraft. Visitors need to pass through the base visitor center with valid ID.

Gardens, history and the river

Green space and history meet along the Cape Fear River.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

This 80-acre garden at the meeting of Cross Creek and the Cape Fear River has themed gardens, a heritage farmstead and woodland trails, and it is especially lovely in spring when the camellias and azaleas bloom.

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex

This free state museum covers the history of southeastern North Carolina, and its grounds include the restored 1897 Poe House.

Cape Fear River Trail

This paved trail of about five miles follows the river through woods and wetlands, with boardwalks and bridges, and it is popular for walking, running and cycling.

Haymount Hill

Just west of downtown, the historic Haymount neighborhood has tree-lined streets, old homes and a small cluster of shops and restaurants.

Food and local flavors

Fayetteville's food scene reflects its Southern roots and its military community. Eastern North Carolina barbecue, chopped pork with a vinegar and pepper sauce, is a local staple, along with fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea.

Because soldiers and their families come from all over the world, the city also has an unusually varied mix of Korean, German, Mexican, Caribbean and Middle Eastern restaurants, many along Skibo Road and Bragg Boulevard.

Where to stay

Downtown Fayetteville puts you within walking distance of the Airborne museum, Hay Street and Segra Stadium.

Skibo Road and Cross Creek Mall have most of the city's chain hotels, restaurants and shopping.

Haymount is a quiet historic neighborhood close to downtown.

Near Fort Bragg, hotels along Bragg Boulevard are convenient for visiting the base.

Best time to visit

Spring is the best season, with blooming gardens and mild days.

Summer is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon storms.

Fall is pleasant and dry, a good time for river trails and festivals.

Winter is mild, with occasional cold snaps.

Getting there and getting around

By air: Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) is about 15 minutes south; Raleigh-Durham International is about 75 minutes north.

By train: Amtrak's Palmetto and Silver Star trains stop at the downtown station.

By car: Interstate 95 passes east of the city and Interstate 295 loops around it.

Getting around: A car is the easiest way to get around, though downtown is walkable.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Spend the morning at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and North Carolina Veterans Park. After lunch on Hay Street, see the Market House and the transportation museum, and end with a Woodpeckers game in summer.

Second day

Visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in the morning, then the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. In the late afternoon, walk or bike the Cape Fear River Trail.

Practical tips

• The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is free but closed on Mondays.
• Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to visit the museums on Fort Bragg.
• Hotels fill up during military graduations and homecomings, so book ahead.
• Use insect repellent on river trails in the warmer months.

Find local businesses in Fayetteville on WiserMap

Looking for barbecue, a coffee shop downtown or a local service near Fort Bragg?

Explore local businesses