All American Sampler
So you’ve never been to America’s hometown before? Or maybe you’ve passed through? This is an All American appetizer of what the Fayetteville area offers. Come experience our History, Heroes, & Hometown Feeling!
Day One
When you think of Fayetteville, you think of our military heroes. Right? So, you’ll start your Sampler at Fort Bragg, home to the 82nd Airborne and Special Operations divisions. It’s known throughout the world as the largest airborne facility– and now you’re here. First, you’ll stop to pick up a uniformed escort and then drive through portions of the base, or reservation, as many call it. Old timers will remember what we call Smoke Bomb Hill, located in the older, historic section. Construction signals that our base is used a lot. New barracks. New training facilities. New support services.
Some of the sites include the statue, “Iron Mike,” Womack Army Medical Center, the Fort Bragg Officer’s Club, 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, JFK Special Warfare Museum, chapels, headquarters of various divisions and lots of men and women in uniform. Street signs with names of historic significance help us remember the many battles throughout the world our Airborne and Special Ops soldiers participated in. Do you recognize them?
And some drive funny looking vehicles.
You’ll have lunch at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory, the oldest militia unit in continuous existence in the South. Members of the militia will dine with you. At the end of your meal, toast the unit with a swig of Drambuie.
Leaving the base, your next stop is the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville. A popular stop with groups, it showcases the role of various units of the Airborne and Special Operations personnel in American military history since 1940.
Your coach will let you out in downtown Fayetteville to wander around and see what all is there. Unlike in yesterday, our downtown is safe, friendly, clean and full of shopping opportunities – fit for an American family. We invite you to see the art exhibits at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. If the outside of the building looks like an old post office, well, it once was. Come inside – we welcome you to America’s hometown!
Your next stop offers year ‘round beauty. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a nice place for an afternoon break, with lemonade and cookies in warm months or hot chocolate later on. A guide will show you around. Be still and listen. Do you hear your favorite bird calling? Experience some of our hometown feeling, find out how to work a tobacco leaf or pick cotton-won’t find that up north!
Because the Fayetteville area is so rich in international culture, we have a variety of restaurants for dinner where you can sample cuisine from around the world. Our desserts are pretty good, too!
Like theater? We do. And we boast it. We don’t have the famous Stage Door Canteen, but we do have The Stage Door Theater, Cape Fear Regional Theater and The Cameo Art House Theater. During warm months, you may hear the Fayetteville Symphony playing at the Campbellton Landing outdoor theater. Plays. Concerts. Improv. Evening fun!
An option may be It’z Entertainment City, a complex with a nightclub, sports bar and grill, cigar bar and an outdoor patio. Dance and play the night away!
Day Two
Are you artistic? Maybe? Maybe not? It doesn’t matter at the Fayetteville Museum of Art. We’ll show you how to turn clay on a pottery wheel, make some jewelry or some other kind of artwork. We’re always doing something. And we’ve got a neat little gift shop, too.
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex gives a good recap of what you’ve seen, so you’ll remember it all! You’ll learn about the community, the people and hear some fascinating stories along the way. Our history from the Native Americans to the Revolutionary War, and on is amazing!
If you’re visiting during spring, take some time to drive around our City of Dogwoods before you leave along the Dogwood Trail. You’ll see why we celebrate the arrival of warm weather with the annual Dogwood Festival. Whites and pinks everywhere!
Estimated Price: $50-$60 pp plus hotel
(based on a 40-person group)
If you would like to create your own tour, please visit our CustomizeIT! site.
For our 10 themed Cultural Heritage Driving Trails, click here.
