Fayetteville

Parks & Recreation

Get outside and explore Fayetteville! Take a stroll along the All American Trail or the Cape Fear River Trail. Admire the beautiful blooms at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Hit the water on the Cape Fear River. Practice your swing at one of numerous golf courses.Test your pedals on the Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail. Let Fido romp at the Riverside Dog Park. Or simply relax in the shade of a tree while the kids play on a playground at a neighborhood park.

Things to Do

There’s tons of fun to be had in Fayetteville—from history to art and culture to sports. Fayetteville is home to beautiful historic sites like Heritage Square, as well as fascinating museums, like the Airborne & Special Operations Museum or the Fayetteville Museum of Art. There are numerous theatres, and two main sports stadiums—Crown Coliseum (home to the Fayetteville Marksmen ice hockey team) and JP Riddle Stadium (home to the Buies Creek Astros).

Public Education

Fayetteville is served by Cumberland County Schools, one of the largest districts in the state with over 50 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 15 high schools, and 9 alternative or specialty schools. Each of Cumberland County’s high schools offers specialized Academies, including programs such as Agricultural & Natural Sciences, Fiance, Global Studies, Arts, Health and Engineering, International Baccalaureate, and more. The district is also home to a Classical High School and an Early College Academy.

For continuing education, Fayetteville is home to several institutions of higher learning, including Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Local Amenities

Shopping, dining, and business abound throughout Fayetteville. Smaller commercial shopping centers throughout the city offer easy access to amenities from neighborhoods, while Downtown Fayetteville is home to smaller businesses, retail shops, and eateries. Fayetteville is also home to the large Cross Creek Mall and a plethora of surrounding retail shopping.

Employment

The foundation of Fayetteville’s economy is the major US Army installation Fort Bragg and its nearby Pope Army Airfield, so it’s no surprise that the Department of Defense is also the city’s largest employer. The area is also home to many of the nation’s top defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and L-3 Communications.

Other major employers in the area include Cumberland County Board of Education, Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, Wal-Mart Distribution, Goodyear Tire Manufacturing, and the Veterans Administration.