The Best Things to do in Fayetteville in the Fall, a Complete Travel Guide

Whether it is a day’s travel or an overnight stay in Fayetteville, visitors are guaranteed to meet a city that celebrates diversity, has a vibrant culinary scene and has no shortage of fun things to do.  Here are some of the best things to do in Fayetteville this fall; scroll down for all the info!

Over the past couple of years I have not only grown fond of Fayetteville, but I have also become acquainted with its International Cuisine Trail, Antiquing Trail and more.  Even if I have not yet fully explored the city, I always walk away impressed with each visit.  This particular trip surprised me in a couple of ways.  As a lone traveler, I did not realize how much I would enjoy traveling with likeminded bloggers and influencers.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see a new side of Fayetteville that I had not experienced in prior visits.

 

The Best Things to Do in Fayetteville NC

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

 

My fall outing in Fayetteville started with a visit to Cape Fear Botanical Garden.  The garden sits on 80 acres nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek just two miles from downtown Fayetteville.  Despite the fact that this was my third visit to the botanical garden, I realized that I had missed the fruit and vegetable garden in prior tours.  Some of the fruits, vegetables and herbs that are grown in the garden are used in the Garden View Deli.

 

Garden View Deli

 

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden deli specializes in fresh artisan sandwiches, salads and soups.  All items are made using the highest quality ingredients.  Chef Luis Irizarry is not only the culinary talent behind Garden View Deli, but he is also the owner of  Trade Street Cafe & Elite Catering.  One of my favorite items at the deli is Chef Lou’s Sloppy Joe on rainbow bread.   Even though the bread was made special for our media group, visitors dining at the deli can find this triple decker piled high with turkey, corn beef, Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing on Rye bread.  Regardless of what you decide to order at the Garden View Deli, make sure to enjoy your meal on the patio which overlooks the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. 

 

The MacPherson House

 

During my previous overnight visits in Fayetteville, I have stayed in a hotel and a two-story 180 year old mill farmhouse.  I was excited to learn that the The MacPherson House was a bed and breakfast located within walking distance of Fayetteville’s downtown district.

 

 

Each room in The MacPherson House features a fireplace, en-suite bathroom, beautifully restored historic architectural details and a luxurious King size bed.  Guests will find luxury toiletries, robes and towels in each room.  During my stay, I was placed in The Campbellton Room.  The first floor room is furnished with a four poster King sized bed and features a large private bath with the original 1926 clawfoot bathtub and shower.  The shower is adorned with fresh Eucalyptus, which is a beautiful touch.  

 

Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom

 

Later that afternoon, we headed to Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom.  The veteran owned and operated brewery and taproom is the perfect place to unwind safely during this period of social distancing.  They have a beautiful family and pet friendly outdoor space that offers both covered and uncovered seating.  The brewery produces a wide range of beer including some seasonal brews.  A Blood Orange Kölsch, The IPA, Cold Brew Mocha Porter, EinbahnstraBe and Marzen Attacks! were among the beers that we sampled.  While the beer and the atmosphere are wonderful, I was captivated by the food at Napkins Restaurant, which sits on the brewery’s premises.   

 

Napkins Restaurant

 

Napkins offers hands on chef-driven pub food that is sourced locally and sustainably, when possible.  Some of the mouthwatering items that we sampled included the Triple Threat Tots drizzled in buffalo sauce, Frito Mixto of cornmeal breaded shrimp and calamari and Carnitas Tacos.  When visiting Dirtbag Ales, make sure to bring your appetite so that you can snack on Napkins impressive menu.   If you do not drink beer, a visit to the brewery and restaurant is still warranted.  Dirtbag Ales has local NC wine and cider on tap as well as non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Hope Mills Lake & Big T’s Snoballs

 

After a delicious sampling of beer and eats, we went to Hope Mills Lake to burn off some calories.  The lake, located on Boatman Drive in Hope Mills, is open to guests for swimming, fishing, kayaking or simply to enjoy the view of the shore.  Even if I was still stuffed from our Napkins visit,  I could not pass up a snoball from Big T’s Snoballs.  In addition to their signature snoballs, the family operated concession stand also serves ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels and more.  If you decide to have a snoball, I recommend getting it stuffed with ice cream.  The combination is fantastic! 

 

Yakalacky Outfitters NC

 

Shortly after noshing on the ice cream stuffed snoball, I kayaked for the first time with Yakalacky Outfitters NC.  The outfitters offer kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals to nearby public parks in Cumberland County.  When the outfitters brought over the kayaks, they provided me with a brief instruction on how to use the kayak paddles.  I found the experience not only beautiful, but also therapeutic.  As a Taurus, I love activities that allow me to connect with nature.

 

Pharaohs Legacy

 

We closed out an action packed day with a beautiful dinner at Pharaohs Legacy.  The family-owned restaurant and bar serves a variety of cold and hot menu items that span Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, and Egyptian cuisine.  My Pharaohs Legacy favorites include the turmeric garlic sauce, pickled turnips, stuffed grape leaves and kofta kebobs.  Over and above their delightful fare, the restaurant also has a nice wine and cocktail menu.

 

The MacPherson House & The Traveling Shala

After a cozy and restful night in The Campbellton Room, I kicked off the next morning with a green smoothie on The MacPherson House porch followed by a beginners yoga session with The Traveling Shala.  The yoga class was one of my favorite amenities offered at the bed and breakfast’s basement.  Weather permitting, these yoga sessions are also offered outdoors on The MacPherson House porch.  

 

 

Blue Moon Cafe

 

Once we checked out of The MacPherson House, we headed to downtown Fayetteville for Sunday brunch at the Blue Moon Cafe.  This Hay Street gem is a must when you are in Fayetteville.  How I have managed to miss this spot on previous foodie excursions, I don’t know.  Aside from the Mimosa bottle service, I absolutely love their Crab Dip, the Blue Moon Cobb Salad and the Fruity Pebbles French Toast stuffed with a Limoncello Cream.  Not only does this restaurant have a wonderful menu, but the staff has a magnetic energy that only amplifies the dining experience.  Weather permitting, try brunching on their patio.

 

 

Hummingbird Candle Co.

Following the yummy brunch, we headed over to Hummingbird Candle Co. for a candle-making experience and to sip on Prisma wines from The Wine Café.  One of my favorite parts of visiting Hummingbird is listening to the story of the candle company’s inception.  So that I do not spoil the experience for you, I will not share the story.  However, I highly encourage that you visit the candle company and learn about their beginning.  If you live in or are visiting the Asheville area, Hummingbird Candle Co. recently opened their second locale in that city.

 

 

The candle-making experience includes a step by step instruction on how to select a signature fragrance and hand pour one luxurious coconut oil based 9 oz. candle.  My favorite part of the process is writing a wish on the candle wick.  For those not interested in the candle workshop, Hummingbird Candle Co. has a lovely collection of candles, reed diffusers, wax melts and room sprays available for purchase.  If you participate in the candle workshop, it is important to note that the candle needs to solidify at the store before it can be taken home.  Typically it must rest overnight and can be picked up the next day.

 

 

Cool Spring Downtown District & The Coffee Cup

As our candles solidified at Hummingbird Candle Co., we visited The Coffee Cup to try their PrisMocha and cake pops.  The Hay Street coffee shop serves 100% organic, fair-trade coffee. The Coffee Cup has a large medley of handcrafted specialty drinks, pastries, desserts and more that customers can enjoy.  I also understand that they have an amazing cheesecake that I have yet to try.  

 

 

With a PrisMocha on hand, we went on a guided tour of downtown art installations and murals in the Cool Spring Downtown District.  One of my favorite installations are the exhibit of 25, six-foot tall, pivoting prisms that are staged throughout downtown Fayetteville.  The installation’s prisms are made of panels laminated with a dichromic film that transmits and reflects every color in the rainbow.  These are not only cool to look at, but they are fun to photograph.     

 

 

Turner Lane

Ensuing our downtown art excursion, Elaine from the Turner Lane store guided us in a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop.  Elaine provided us with a pumpkin and a medley of succulents to create a personalized centerpiece.  Not only was this a creative experience, but it was also therapeutic.  I especially loved that I was able to take my Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece home with me.  Provided that I take care of it properly, the centerpiece should last a couple of months.  If you are interested in the Made by Me workshops, Turner Lane will host a variety of classes this fall, winter and spring.

 

 

Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles

We closed out our fall tour with a visit to Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles.  More than their signature Chicken & Waffles, the restaurant offers other southern classics like Judy’s Shrimp & Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes and Macaroni and Cheese.  The culinary genius behind Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles is Chef Judy McLean.  If her name sounds familiar, you may have seen her on TV competing on the Food Network’s “Chopped”.  Uptown Chicken & Waffles has two Fayetteville locations.  One is on the Stryker Golf Course on 7105 Bragg Blvd and the other is next to the Ramada Plaza at 1707 Owen Dr.  

 

 

Leaving Fayetteville NC

While I am not surprised at how much I enjoyed this fall outing in Fayetteville, I am always impressed at how it is home to many eclectic small businesses, has a robust culinary scene and has numerous activities for all to enjoy.  In spite of this being my fifth trip to Fayetteville, I know that I have many future visits in store.  If you are interested in learning more about Fayetteville, click here to read about my first 24 Hour Visit to the city.