Fun Things to Do in Fayetteville NC and Fort Bragg With Teens and Older Children

Fayetteville, North Carolina offers a wealth of exciting activities and attractions for visiting families with teens and older children. From the historic downtown area to the nearby Fort Bragg Military Base, Fayetteville is sure to keep everyone entertained.

Whether your family is looking for outdoor adventure or an exciting nightlife scene, there’s something for them in Fayetteville, NC.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

Although the Fayetteville area population is now over 209,000, many areas and neighborhoods still have a strong community feel. It’s a fantastic combination of small-town charm with big-city opportunities for fun!

Fort Bragg, also known as Fort Liberty, is the largest U.S. Army base in the country and is part of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The base serves over 52,000 active duty personnel, nearly 13,000 reserves, and their families. If you’re moving to the Fort Bragg area or newly arrived, you might worry about helping your family adjust. Fortunately, the list of fun activities and places to go is long, and you’re sure to find something everyone, including your older children and teenagers, will enjoy.

Things to Do in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville is situated in the Cape Fear region of North Carolina and provides ample opportunities for family fun both indoors and outside. From lakes, beaches, parks, and trails to museums, historic sites, kid-friendly attractions, and more, there’s something for everyone!

Let’s take a look at some of the activities you can do with your older children near Fort Bragg and the surrounding Fayetteville area.

Stop and Smell the Flowers at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens

The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens are only two miles from the center of downtown Fayetteville. But as you wander through the brilliant gardens and exhibits, you’ll feel like you’re a world away.

If the incredible flowers and plants don’t wow the older kiddos, then the exhibits might grab their interest. Explore the unexpected links between the plant world and NASCAR, or dive into the therapeutic horticulture programs.

Paddle Out for a Watery Good Time

There’s a reason why you’ll find so many outdoor activities near Fort Bragg — just so much natural beauty to explore! And when you want to get out on the water and kayak or canoe down the river, Yackalacky Outfitters is your partner. The staff will meet you at the start of your trip to get you set up and ready to paddle out. Then, when you complete your journey, they’ll come by to pick up the equipment from you.

Hope Mills Lake is a great spot to go for a paddle. You can also fish, water ski, and more! Pack some snacks and drinks and enjoy the beauty of nature without having to worry about the weather.

Battle It Out With Laser Tag

Amp up the game of tag at Battle House. The vast, 14,000-square-foot facility will challenge kids and adults to see who will be the last one standing. You can schedule parties or private events or swing by for an hour of fun on the weekend.

Participants receive the standard-issue weapon or can upgrade to something more tactical. See who can hide and who has the best aim with a thrilling game at Battle House.

Take a Hike and Hit the Trails

The beauty of the natural world is waiting for you and your family on the Cape Fear River Trail. Bring the bikes or lace up some walking shoes and get the kids out in the fresh air for a while. The wide, paved path makes this hike accessible for a range of ages and abilities, so you can focus on the hundreds of species to see.

Another great natural attraction to explore is Carvers Creek State Park. Just 13 miles north of Fayetteville, you can escape from the city on a short trail. If the kids are up to it, head down one of the longer trails and see if you can spot the federally protected Pine Barrens tree frog.

Challenge Your Family at Escapology

Escapology offers multiple escape room scenarios that will challenge and entertain. If your older kids are bored with parks or want to try something different, book a puzzle room for an hour of puzzles, clues, and codes.

You can get Kids Mode for some of the rooms if you are also including younger kids. But older kids and teens might prefer the challenge of the more complex rooms. And Escapology also offers birthday parties and private bookings.

Visit the Airborne Special Operations Museum

Families visiting the area will also want to take a trip to the Airborne Special Operations Museum. Located just off site of the main Army base, the museum offers visitors an in-depth look into the history of U.S. Army airborne and special operations forces from World War II until present day.

Through interactive exhibits, informational displays, and multimedia presentations you can learn about a variety of topics including paratrooper training, operations behind enemy lines, and more. It’s a great way for families to get an up close and personal look into America’s military history.

Amuse the Family at Omni

Take the kids out for classic arcade fun at Omni Family Amusement Center. With over 100 games and activities, there is something for everyone in the family. Challenge the kids to mini-golf, or load up their game cards and let them loose on the arcade games.

There’s a snack bar with plenty of yummy treats, so you won’t have to leave when hunger strikes. And next door, the Omni Cinema gives you a chance to relax and take in the latest films.

Skydiving Adventures With Paraclete XP

If you’ve ever wanted to know what flying feels like, you’re in for a treat. And don’t worry if you’ve never tried a wind tunnel before. The staff loves helping people “fly” for the first time. Paraclete XP is located in Raeford, just outside of Fayetteville.

Most people, even children 3 years old and up, can fly in the vertical wind tunnel. This activity is always very popular, so make sure you make a reservation.

Jump Around at Surge

Even teens need to burn up some energy from time to time. Surge Adventure Park has multiple large trampolines so you and your kids can jump and flip for hours. In addition, Surge is a great option for those days when the weather isn’t cooperating and it’s not ideal to be outside.

Grab the family and spend the afternoon at play. If you aren’t into trampolines or want to try something more challenging, check out the ninja course, high dive, or dodgeball area.

Explore Downtown Fayetteville and Ride the Downtown Trolley

Explore the downtown area while riding on the historic Downtown Trolley. This unique trolley takes visitors to local attractions like The Airborne and Special Operations Museum, the Market House, and Festival Park. Along with these destinations, there are also restaurants, shopping centers, art galleries, live music venues, and more that families can enjoy. It’s a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Fayetteville.

Why Move to Fayetteville

The city of Fayetteville is large and has grown steadily in population for decades. And one of the reasons why many people move to Fayetteville is because they are attached in some way to the army base. Fort Bragg, now renamed Fort Liberty, draws thousands of families to the Fayetteville metro area.

If you’re thinking about moving to Fayetteville or one of the nearby cities, there are some moving tips for military families that can make the transition easier. For example, you may want to:

● Decide whether you’ll drive your car or ship it

● Weigh the pros and cons of living on base or off base

● Check out school ratings if you have kids.

The Fayetteville area enjoys a lower cost of living than the U.S. average. Home prices may be much more affordable than where you used to live. As a result, many people who visit or move to Fayetteville end up staying and putting down roots. The mild weather, variety of activities, and overall affordability make it an increasingly attractive destination. And this part of North Carolina unites coastal and Southern cuisine, the unique Sandhills region, classic Southern hospitality, and the excitement of a growing city.

So Many Options for Adventure Near Fort Bragg and Fayetteville

So many fun and exciting activities await everyone in the family near Fort Bragg and Fayetteville. You may only live in the area for a short time, or you might fall in love with the community and location.

Either way, there are a lot of options for adventure that will appeal to every age group. No matter what your older children are into, there’s bound to be something for them in the area. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised!

Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!

For more family travel inspiration, check out our latest posts here:

Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

AIRFARE
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
- Get airfare deal alerts up to 90% off from Dollar Flight Club (free & paid membership options)
- Book your plane ticket with Expedia or Kayak
- Book your Airport Parking Reservations and save money.
ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
- Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
LODGING
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
- For camping and RV campgrounds, find the ideal location with Campspot.
PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
- For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
- For budgeting help, get our road trip budgeting tips here.
ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
  - Tiqets for cultural events, museums, Broadway shows, etc.
  - CityPASS for multi-day attraction passes at up to 55% off in select cities
  - Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activitties
  - Groupon for discounted local attractions and event tickets
  - Undercover Tourister for discounted theme park tickets
- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.