Fayetteville Ladies' Trip

When ladies travel together, they opt for the best places: Girls’ trips insist on to-die-for meals, count on a bit of shopping, make time for spas, and plan to laugh all the way through. Plus, when ladies travel, they absolutely adore discovering out-of-the-way, affordable places that may not be on everyone else’s radar. So ladies choose Fayetteville, a small city that lives large.

Afoot in Greater Fayetteville

Put on your walking shoes and hit Hay Street and the surrounding downtown blocks. There you’ll discover enough boutiques, antique shops, and galleries to fill a day. Fayetteville is small enough that you’re more than likely to meet the people behind the storefronts who choose to make this city an interesting place to live, and yet large enough to support a variety of locally owned businesses.

Start at the Cape Fear Studios, where featured artists greet visitors and introduce the gallery’s works. Even if you’re not buying art, watching a piece being made is akin to owning a part of the work forever. Keep the art theme going by stopping in at Greg’s Pottery, where you can even paint your own earthenware to take home.

Still feeling crafty? Take a short drive to Scented Wicks Candle Bar in Hope Mills. Woman and veteran-owned, Scented Wicks began by selling hand-poured candles at local farmers' markets. After retiring from the army, owners opened a full candle bar.  Get Lit Wit Scented Wicks is a unique candle-making experience where you can let your “SCENTS” run wild and create your very own custom candle.  Customers can select up to three fragrances and pour and mix their candles. The candles are made with 100% soy wax, eco-friendly, and are vegan.  An added bonus: they serve a variety of bubble selections to enjoy while you make your candle.  

Shopping Options 

Each visit to A Bit of Carolina is a new experience. That is because the store carries unique items from over 60 local consigners, both food and artisans.. The inventory changes seasonally. You’ll also find T-shirts as well as hundreds of items for your home, all themed to the Tar Heel State.

Cursive carries plenty of unique gifts. Stop by and take time to browse the unique jewelry, mugs, totes, accessories, candles, cards, and more that will make you smile, make you laugh, and make you think.  Grab something for someone special and be a 5-star fit giver.

Nearby, in Hope Mills, Bath Snob is well worth a visit. They sell candles and bath products that are all made on site. Their scents are gentle and made with no chemicals. They’ll walk you through each of their products, and you'll all leave having made new friends. The team will also do group experiences. Reach out to them before your visit to find out more.  

Be sure to take a break for caffeine, herbal tea, or a tea cocktail at Winterbloom. This serene shop pours hot brews and sends Wi-Fi to your phones while you rest your tired feet. You can also visit one of the locally owned coffee houses. 

Mealtime Happies

Planning the next meal is high on the list for girls’ trips. It’s all about anticipation. We want, we desire, and we just can’t forget those memorable meals.

Grab a sidewalk table at Antonellas on Hay Street, and indulge in fine dining, Southern Italian style. Carefully prepared dishes can create a light and casual lunch – think Caprese salad with local tomatoes or flavorful bruschettas. At night, the daily features become more elaborate and satisfying, as is the Chianti. But don’t miss the Lasagna Dip (everything but the pasta) that will have you headed back here for more.

Life feels pretty darn good when you are relaxing on Circa 1800’s patio, sipping a handcrafted, made with love cocktail, and noshing on one of these delicious creations. Creativity is Circa’s thing; they take ALL the things you love and add their own exceptional twist on it. Elevated Southern cuisine perfection! They change up their menu quite often, which is always fun, whether a new inspired dish or one the crowds keep begging to come back around; one thing is for sure, you’ll leave full, happy, and discussing when you’re coming back.

Chris’s Steak and Seafood House is both a Fayetteville institution and realization of the American dream for owner Greg Kalevas. Established more than 50 years ago, its tradition has grown through the years with hand-cut steaks from an open hearth, the freshest seafood, and vast wine selection.

Feeling like flavors from around the world? Fayetteville can satisfy just about any cravings. Try the Vermicelli at Grilled Ginger Vietnamese Restaurant or opt for falafels and baklava at Pharoah’s Legacy. When the Far East captures your appetite, order a steaming bowl of pho at Saigon Bistro. 

When downhome cooking gets your mouth watering at breakfast time, MaryBills Café dishes up Southern classics, but with a lighter touch. Plus, they make sure you vegan/vegetarians don’t go hungry either.

North Carolina is fast becoming the beer capital of the U.S., and Fayetteville is doing its share of making memorable brews.

Downtown, drop by Gaston Brewing Company, order an appetizer or two and a pint of what makes them famous. Some of the craft food comes bite-size — think cauliflower bites and cheese curds — and the beer-loving staff can guide you towards your favorite beer type. The piece de resistance? There’s plenty of al fresco tables on the sidewalk.

At Dirtbag Ales, don’t let the name fool you. It may be situated on five acres out in the country, yet it’s a rather refined place. Yes, there’s great beer here, but there’s also live music on weekends and events such as food truck rallies on Thursdays and a farmers' markets on Sundays that includes a virtual shooting game among other activities. A sister site, Dirty Whiskey, located adjacent to the brewery serves upscale cocktails.  The facility includes a dog park, a kids' park, a sports field and two on-stie restaurants. Every weekend, they host several unique area  food trucks on the grounds. 

Learn more about the regions brewery scene - Hometown Hops. 

Fayetteville even entertains with a bit of high-brow performances. The city has its own symphony orchestra, which performs regularly during its September through May season. And Sweet Tea Shakespeare produces the best bard plays for all manner of audiences. Cape Fear Regional Theater, a semi-professional theater and The Gilbert Theater, stage performances year round No matter where you roam in greater Fayetteville, you’ll be glad you came.