Fayetteville, The All American City
March 29th, 2009
Fayetteville, North Carolina is a charming city located in the Southern center of the state. The town’s nickname is “The All-American City” and this is evident upon one look at the downtown. Although the downtown area of the city has a quaint, small town feel to it, Fayetteville is one of the largest cities in North Carolina. The city is named for a French Revolutionary war hero, LaFayette, and many of the homes in the downtown area were built during that era.
Fayetteville is rich with history from both the Revolutionary War as well as the Civil War. During the Civil War, General Sherman moved his troops there. The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads, considered the last cavalry battle of the Civil War, took place not far from Fayetteville and today is an historical site.
Today the city maintains ties with the armed services as it is the home of Fort Bragg Army Post as well as the Pope Air Force Base.
There are many things to see and do when visiting. Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville is rife with history. The cobblestone sidewalks reach to the Revolutionary War era buildings that line the street. There is some wonderful antique shopping in the Downtown that draws many visitors to this picturesque city each year.
Architecture throughout the city varies from the Revolutionary era buildings in the downtown area of the city to the pre Civil War homes that are located throughout the city. Anyone who enjoys historic architecture will find plenty to see in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
There are many other points of interest in Fayetteville. In addition to visiting Fort Bragg, many visitors embark on a hiking adventure on the Cape Fear River Trail. The city is located on the banks of the Cape Fear river, which was made famous in original and remake of the film, “Cape Fear.” The Cape Fear River trail takes you through the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens which are open to the pubic. Here you can wander beautiful nature trails that are filled with unusual plants as you progress through pine forest to the river banks. A narrow bridge stretches over the river that you can walk across and get some fabulous photos. A visit to the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens should be first on your list when visiting this charming city.
History buffs in particular will love Fayetteville, North Carolina as it is has many different museums and homes that are opened to the public. At the Museum of the Cape Fear you can see the natural history of the area through exhibits that feature artifacts relating to the Native American population, plantation and slavery, The Civil War and other natural history.
The 1897 Poe House is a Victorian residence that is open to the public and takes the visitor back in time to a bygone age. The Poe House has maintained the same furniture and other items that were used by the family during this period.
Arsenal Park is a four acre site that once produced the Fayetteville rifle that was used in the Civil War. Union forces destroyed this arsenal in 1865 towards the very end of the war. The North Carolina Museum of History contains thousands of artifacts and time line pieces that tell the history of North Carolina and also has special children’s sections.
There are hundreds of accommodations choices for visitors staying in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They range from luxury hotels to modest Bed and Breakfast establishments. No matter what your budget or needs, Fayetteville has the perfect accommodations to suit you during your trip to this beautiful city.
On top of everything else, you can also find some of the best restaurants in the Carolinas here. No matter what type of cuisine you prefer, Fayetteville has what you’re looking for. Because the city is relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean, you can expect to get delicious fresh seafood in most of the restaurants. The 316 Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill is located in the heart of the city and has delicious oysters and seafood served fresh daily.
Fayetteville, North Carolina is a charming place to visit. It has terrific food, wonderful accommodations, scenic parks and abundant history. One trip to this beautiful, North Carolina city and you will want to call Fayetteville “home.”
Sam Huntington lives in North Carolina and frequently writes about various North Carolina locales, particularly about all things Fayetteville NC. For more great Fayetteville information visit http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com