7 great day trips & weekend getaways from Fayetteville
Fayetteville, North Carolina, is booming, and the population is almost double what it was at the start of the century.
While plenty of people love the charming town in the southeastern region of the state, Fayetteville doesn't have everything. What it does have, however, is easy access to other nearby areas that are great to visit. If you live in Fayetteville, there are plenty of small trips you can go on, whether you're wanting to make it a day trip or weekend getaway.
Let's take a look at some of the best places to visit from Fayetteville, NC!
1. Myrtle Beach, SC: Wax and waves
One of the best things to do near Fayetteville is take a trip to the beach. Myrtle Beach is about two hours away from Fayetteville, so it can be fine for just a day or you may want to do a weekend trip instead.
The resort in South Carolina that welcomes millions of visitors each year. A trip to a seaside resort can be a great time on its own, and Myrtle Beach has plenty going on.
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a great example where you can see wax models of some of the biggest stars in showbiz. If you want a bit more excitement, Myrtle Waves Water Park is a great choice.
2. Charleston, SC: History and architecture
Charleston is another city in South Carolina that's perfect for anyone who loves history and architecture. There are plenty of beautiful streets to walk down such as Rainbow Row and King Street.
The Joe Riley Waterfront Park is a great spot to enjoy some impressive views including the Pineapple Fountain. If you're an art enthusiast, the Gibbes Museum of Art is well worth a visit. There's also the South Carolina Aquarium where you can learn more about sea life.
You can then attend a show at the Dock Street Theatre to end your day trip. It takes about three hours to get from Fayetteville to Charleston so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
3. Raleigh, NC: Foods halls and museums
If you don't want a long day of travel, Raleigh is just an hour from Fayetteville. As North Carolina's capital city, you can be sure you'll find plenty to do here.
One thing that stands out in Raleigh is the various museums. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the best examples, and the North Carolina Museum of History is another great choice.
You'll find plenty of places to grab food or drink throughout the city. Several food halls house a variety of vendors so there's something for everyone.
4. Durham, NC: Performing arts and baseball
Durham sits about 1.5 hours from Fayetteville making it another suitable choice for a day trip. One of the best spots to visit is the Durham Performing Arts Center. It offers plenty of different performances if you want to catch a show.
The American Tobacco Campus is an old tobacco factory that has since been transformed. It now houses a selection of restaurants and shops you can explore. The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is home to the Durham Bulls baseball team and is a great place for baseball fans to visit.
Like several other cities in NC, Durham has several museums that are worth checking out. The Nasher Museum of Art and the Museum of Life and Science are two of the best options. The latter is great if you have kids with you on the day.
5. Greensboro, NC: Fun and learning for the kids
Greensboro is another great place to travel to in North Carolina. Being one hour and 45 minutes away from Fayetteville, it's fairly easy to get to.
You can visit one of the many museums, such as the Greensboro Science Center. It has plenty of educational exhibits on science and wildlife. The OmniSphere is perfect if you want to learn more about our universe.
Art fans can take a trip to the Weatherspoon Art Museum. It's home to various collections of contemporary and modern art.
There are also options for those who want a bit more excitement. The Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is the perfect example and it's a lot of fun for the kids.
6. Augusta, GA: Ideal for a weekend getaway
If you're happy with a slightly longer road trip, Augusta, Georgia, is about 3.5 hours away. You can visit there for a day trip, but being such a large city, it's also ideal for a weekend getaway.
There's plenty to see here, with the Morris Museum of Art being a standout experience. The history buffs will enjoy the Augusta Museum of History, and the boyhood home of President Woodrow Wilson is an interesting sight to see.
You can end the day with a show at the Imperial Theatre. There's also no shortage of restaurants and bars so you can try some great local cuisine.
7. Columbia, SC: University vibes and local goods
If you're going to visit South Carolina, it's well worth seeing the capital. Columbia is about 2.5 hours from Fayetteville by car and has plenty to offer.
The Columbia Museum of Art is very popular. Its contents come from all over the world and everything is arranged thematically. This provides a unique and diverse experience.
The University of South Carolina is located here along with all kinds of businesses. One of the notable highlights is the Soda City Market. It's a producer-only market with a range of goods from over 400 vendors.
The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is perfect for the kids. It's currently home to over 2,000 animals, so there's plenty for your whole family to see.
There are all kinds of day trips from Fayetteville, NC, that you and your family can enjoy. Whether you want to learn from museums, have fun in waterparks, enjoy different cuisines or anything else, there's always somewhere to go.
