1. Jump Out Of A Black Hawk Helicopter Without Fearing For Your Mortality
Most of us would never get to ride a Hum-V or Black Hawk helicopter in real life, but in the Airbourne & Special Operations Museum, you can play like you do. The museum has a motion ride simulator that lets visitors experience five military-like adventures.
2. Grab A Lick Of Ice Cream At This Hidden Spot
Gillis Hill Farms has been a working farm for more than two centuries, but the real treat on the land is the homemade ice cream shop. Hint: If you purchase a cone, you get a free tour of the farm.
3. This Endangered Species Likes To Hang Out With Military Men
The Saint Francis' Satyr butterfly is so uncommon that it is only known to occur on Fort Bragg, so head to the military base to catch a glimpse of an entirely rare species.
4. Sit On An Even Better Kind Of Porch Swing
Just minutes from Fayetteville is Fantasy Lake Water Park, which takes the Southern tradition of the best porch swings to a whole new level. Instead of swinging on the front porch, these cool you off as you let your legs dangle in the water and watch the daredevils jumping around in other parts of the park.
5. Experience Nightlife As Only A Bat Could
Fayetteville's ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure is a hidden gem in and of itself, but even some locals don't know about its recent addition last year—only for those that aren't afraid of the dark. NightQuest is the new adventure that allows patrons to ride the zipline long after the sun has set.
6. Get Up Close And Personal With A Military Dictator, If That’s Your Thing
Everyone from Fayetteville knows that it's home to the 82nd Division War Memorial Museum. But within the halls of the museum lies historical relics of one of the most notorious dictators: the name tag and military uniform belonging to Panama's Manuel Noriega, which were captured during U.S. forces during Operation Just Cause.
7. This Ballroom Is Deadly Cool
Heritage Square buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but don't think this is just some stuffy old home, because the Oval Ballroom has a secret, creepy past.
Allegedly, this is where Ann K. Simpson, the first woman tried for murder in the county, slipped some arsenic in the dessert of her first husband—though it wasn't until she was found guilty of murdering her third husband that she was executed.
8. Let The Kids Take Over The 911 Calls
Fascinate-U isn't your ordinary museum; it's an entire child-sized city, where kids can work the post office, milk cows on the farm, and yes, respond to emergency response calls coming in from "residents."
9. Salute The Troops Alongside A USO Legend
Martha Raye was one of the most famous USO actresses in the world for her work entertaining the troops during World War II and the Vietnam War. Her final resting place is in Fort Bragg in Fayetteville.
10. Do The Dew
Your favorite lime green soda, Mountain Dew, was first bottled and distributed out of the Pepsi Plant that still stands in Fayetteville, so grab a bottle in homage.
11. Pay Your Respects To Man's Best Friend
It's not just people who are affected by war, and Fayetteville wants to make sure everyone knows that. Outside the Airbourne & Special Operations Museum, a statue memorializes the 58 dogs who were killed while fighting alongside their human partners.
Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Fayetteville in the comments below!
