Military-Friendly Businesses

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Located on Fort Liberty, this museum offers an unparalleled look at the 'All American' Division. Features an extensive air park with C-47s and gliders, and exhibits tracking the division's history from WWI trenches to modern conflicts. Includes artifacts like Manuel Noriega's uniform.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum (ASOM) is located in downtown Fayetteville and showcases the rich history and evolution of U.S. airborne troops and special operations forces. Featuring interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and immersive displays, the museum guides visitors through decades of military innovation from World War I to present day. A must-visit attraction for military families, veterans, and anyone interested in American military history.

Dining & Nightlife

Cozy, boutique Italian dining on Hay Street. Offers family recipes like Frutti Di Mare and chicken piccata in an energetic, family-style vibe.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Historical marker commemorating the site where George Herman 'Babe' Ruth hit his first professional home run in March 1914.

Recreation & Fitness

Scenario paintball experience owned by combat veterans. Features tactical realism, hyperball courses, trenches, and wooded environments.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Restored early 1900s theater screening foreign films, documentaries, and indie movies. Cultural heartbeat of Hay Street, hosting festivals and special events.

Recreation & Fitness

Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers beautiful walking trails, birdwatching areas, and seasonal flower displays across 80 acres along the Cape Fear River. A peaceful oasis in Fayetteville, the garden features native plants, themed gardens, educational programs, and special events throughout the year. Perfect for nature lovers, families, photographers, and anyone seeking a tranquil outdoor experience.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Produces theatre that rivals major metropolitan stages, attracting professional talent. Diverse seasons range from blockbuster musicals to intense dramas.

Recreation & Fitness

A 7-mile paved multi-use path connecting the urban core with wild riverlands. Features boardwalks traversing wetlands, a covered bridge, and frequent wildlife sightings. Popular for runners, cyclists, and walkers.

Healthcare & Medical

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is North Carolina's 8th largest health system, providing exceptional healthcare services for all patients. Located in Fayetteville, NC, our medical center offers a comprehensive range of specialized services including emergency care, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and advanced surgical procedures. We're proud to serve the military community and Cumberland County residents with state-of-the-art medical care.

Recreation & Fitness

Protects over 4,000 acres of longleaf pine forest. Features the historic Rockefeller house and agricultural structures at Long Valley Farm access, a 100-acre millpond, and rugged multi-use trails at the Sandhills access.

Dining & Nightlife

Standard-bearer for the farm-to-table movement in downtown. Features Southern classics with a modern twist using local ingredients. Sophisticated but approachable atmosphere.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The oldest existing structure in Fayetteville, dating back to 1788. A former tavern and boarding house with a storied past, offering a tangible link to the 18th century.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Established in 1785, this cemetery is rich in atmosphere and history. Resting place of diverse historical figures and features intricate stonework.

Recreation & Fitness

Offers miles of trails for ATVs and dirt bikes. Features mud bogs, sand drag strips, and wooded trails for off-roading enthusiasts.

Dining & Nightlife

A massive facility in Hope Mills featuring a taproom, outdoor playground, dog park, and sports field. Hosts a popular Sunday Farmers Market and features on-site restaurant Napkins.

Dining & Nightlife

Speakeasy-style bar in Hope Mills specializing in smoked cocktails, bourbon flights, and craft mixology. Shares space with Ashes Cigar Lounge.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A self-guided tour of vibrant murals adorning the downtown district, including 'We Are Fayetteville' and 'Lady Muriel'. Transformed alleyways and walls into an open-air gallery.

Dining & Nightlife

A popular spot near the base serving authentic Korean comfort food. Unpretentious and affordable, it's a favorite for soldiers and locals alike.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A 'mini-city' museum where imagination rules. Exhibits mimic a real town scaled down for children, focusing on role-play and social interaction.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Home to the oldest existing military unit in the South, formed in 1793. The museum houses rare militia artifacts, including the carriage used by the Marquis de Lafayette during his 1825 visit, original muskets, and uniforms.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Located on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College, this garden is home to over 1,000 rose bushes. Features a gazebo and fountain, offering a peaceful, floral oasis from April until the first frost.

Education & Training

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a historically black university known for its robust academic programs and commitment to excellence. Located in Fayetteville, NC, FSU offers professional programs in Education, Social Work, Nursing, Business, and more. As a military-friendly institution, FSU proudly serves active duty military, veterans, and their families with flexible learning options and dedicated support services.

Education & Training

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) offers 300+ academic awards in areas including Business, Computer Information Technology, Engineering, Healthcare, Human Service Technology, Media and Fine Arts, Public Safety, Skilled Trades, and University Transfer. As one of North Carolina's premier community colleges, FTCC is committed to serving the military community with flexible programs, online courses, and comprehensive support services for active duty, veterans, and military families.

Dining & Nightlife

Downtown brewpub offering a relaxed, friendly vibe. Serves house-brewed beers and a menu of burgers and comfort food.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Intimate black-box style venue located above Fascinate-U museum. Known for producing contemporary plays, local originals, and thought-provoking dramas.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Family-owned for nine generations, this farm is a premier agritourism destination. Famous for its ice cream shop serving homemade scoops, and a self-guided walking tour past historic buildings and antique farm equipment.

Dining & Nightlife

Authentic Vietnamese restaurant offering deep, complex flavors. Signature dishes include Bun Thit Nuong (vermicelli with grilled pork) and Ga Xao Sa Ot (lemongrass chili chicken).

Recreation & Fitness

The recreational heart of Hope Mills, featuring a swimming beach, boat ramp, and waterfront park. A popular spot for summer picnics, paddling, and community events, with a scenic dam.

Dining & Nightlife

A historic Fayetteville dining staple for over 106 years, Huske Hardware House is located in a beautifully restored circa 1904 hardware store building in downtown Fayetteville. Enjoy freshly brewed craft beers made on-site, along with an extensive menu of American fare in a unique atmosphere that celebrates our local heritage. Perfect for families, military personnel, and visitors exploring downtown.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The iconic 'Iron Mike' statue (officially 'The Airborne Trooper') stands 15 feet tall at the entrance of the ASOM. It captures the physical dominance and unwavering resolve of the American paratrooper and serves as a primary photo opportunity and touchstone for veterans.

Recreation & Fitness

The city's second-largest regional park, preserving natural woodlands along the river. Features a Nature Center with live animal exhibits, ranger-led programs, and unpaved trails leading to a scenic river overlook and waterfall.

Recreation & Fitness

A comprehensive recreational facility centered around a beautiful lake, adjacent to a fish hatchery. Features a 1-mile border trail through wetlands, athletic fields, picnic shelters, and a playground.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Site where 55 citizens signed the 'Liberty Point Resolves' in 1775, pledging their lives to the cause of liberty. Marked by a granite monument.

Dining & Nightlife

A Fayetteville institution since 1982, bridging the gap between Italian trattoria and high-end steakhouse. Features an extensive wine list and a patio with fire pits.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Statue in Cross Creek Park honoring the French hero. Fayetteville is the first city named after him and the only one he visited.

Education & Training

Methodist University is renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life in Fayetteville, NC. With a strong commitment to serving the military community, Methodist offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Business, Healthcare, Education, Criminal Justice, and more. The university provides flexible learning options, military-friendly policies, and dedicated support for active duty service members, veterans, and military families.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The first state park in North Carolina dedicated to all veterans—living and deceased—from every branch of the service. The park's design incorporates native flora, a 3,500-square-foot Visitors Center with a chandelier made from service member dog tags, and zones representing courage, honor, service, and sacrifice.

Dining & Nightlife

Authentic Irish pub founded by an Irish Army veteran. Famous for live music, pipe and drum bands, and walls covered in military memorabilia.

Recreation & Fitness

Home to the largest vertical wind tunnel in the US. Offers indoor skydiving experiences for civilians and serves as a training facility for military and professionals.

Dining & Nightlife

Family-owned Egyptian restaurant in Hope Mills serving massive portions of koshari, falafel, and kabobs. Known for having some of the best hummus in the region.

Dining & Nightlife

Occupies a restored 19th-century building on Hay Street. Features an eclectic interior and a hidden rear courtyard oasis. Extensive coffee menu including frozen blended drinks.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Part of the Heritage Square complex, this 1797 house is rich in history and local lore, including the legend of the 'Lady in Black'.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Segra Stadium opened in 2019 as a premier entertainment venue in downtown Fayetteville. Home to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers minor-league baseball team, the stadium hosts year-round events from professional baseball games to concerts, festivals, and private celebrations. With modern amenities, family-friendly atmosphere, and convenient downtown location, Segra Stadium is a cornerstone of entertainment for Cumberland County residents, military families, and visitors.

Dining & Nightlife

Upscale Mediterranean and Turkish bistro downtown. Offers dishes like moussaka and lamb shank in a fine-dining atmosphere.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Known as 'Constant Vigilance', this bronze statue on the ASOM grounds depicts a Belgian Malinois wearing a deployment vest. It honors the dogs that have served and died alongside their handlers in combat.

Dining & Nightlife

Barcade in Hope Mills featuring vintage arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and modern consoles. Offers craft beer and a social gaming environment.

Dining & Nightlife

A local legend traditional bakery famous for doughnuts, croissants, and custom cakes. The 'Honey-Dipped' doughnut is a particular favorite.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Working farm and entertainment destination in Gray's Creek. Home to over 350 animals including exotics. Transforms seasonally for 'Backwoods Terror Ranch' and 'Festival of Lights'.

Recreation & Fitness

Downtown's premier vertical playground with over 20,000 square feet of climbing surface. Offers bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbing.

Dining & Nightlife

Famous for deep-fried turkey breast sandwiches that are moist and flavorful. Signature items include the turkey club and Thanksgiving-style sandwich. Also known for excellent fried okra.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The visual icon of Fayetteville, built in 1832. A site of complex history, historically a market including slave trade, now a place for reflection and history.

Dining & Nightlife

Chic wine and champagne bar on Hay Street. Features 'Instagrammable' floral walls, plush seating, wine flights, and charcuterie boards.

Recreation & Fitness

Massive indoor playground featuring wall-to-wall trampolines, warrior obstacle course, and 'Sky Rider' indoor coaster. Perfect for family active play.

Dining & Nightlife

Offers loose-leaf teas, custom blends, and tea cocktails in a minimalist, chic downtown setting. Bridges the gap between a daytime cafe and evening lounge.

Recreation & Fitness

Consistently ranked as a top aerial adventure park, ZipQuest utilizes the topography of Carver's Falls for a world-class ziplining experience. Features the 'Waterfall Expedition' with eight ziplines and suspension bridges, and 'NightQuest' for night zipping.