Discover Cumberland: History, Nature and Culture

Cumberland offers different ways to experience a varied trip: you can explore military history and the region’s past, discover natural areas or take a walk through Fayetteville’s historic downtown district. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worthwhile to first decide what type of experience you want.

Military History and the Region’s Past

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum tells the story of the missions of heroic soldiers – from the beginnings of the Parachute Test Platoon to the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. The exhibits include a replica of part of a French village from the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. A fully restored WACO-CG-4A glider aircraft is also on display. North Carolina Veterans Park is located next to the museum and is the first State Park dedicated to military veterans from all branches of the armed forces.

Another focus is the history of Fayetteville. The Fayetteville History Museum is located in the restored Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Depot, built in 1890. The grounds of the Museum of the Cape Fear include the house of a wealthy businessman from Cumberland County, built in 1897, as well as the ruins of the Fayetteville Arsenal from the Civil War era. The museum’s exhibitions trace the region’s history from its Indigenous roots to its later industrial development. Anyone who enjoys understanding historical connections at specific sites will find several different points of reference here.

Nature Among Forests and Longleaf Pines

Carvers Creek State Park combines nature observation with trails and historical connections. The park’s two entrances provide habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Pine Barrens tree frog. At the Sandhills entrance, multi-use trails pass through longleaf pine ecosystems. Long Valley Farm was once the winter residence of James Stillman Rockefeller; this historical status is part of the park’s history and should be considered separately from today’s nature experiences when planning a trip.

J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center also places a clear emphasis on landscape and the environment. The natural woodland area is dedicated to conservation and public education about North Carolina’s plants and wildlife. Unpaved trails invite visitors to walk and jog there. At the Nature Center, exhibitions and live animals present further aspects of the plant and animal world. For a trip involving different interests, you can deliberately give cultural activities and nature experiences different levels of priority.

Walking Tours, Theatre and Cultural Encounters

Walking tours through Fayetteville’s historic downtown district lead to local attractions and follow in the footsteps of historically significant figures. The International Folk Festival is another long-standing tradition, transforming downtown Fayetteville into a global village and celebrating the community’s diverse cultural traditions. Cape Fear Regional Theatre has a main season with five productions, adding another cultural element to the museums and walking tours.

These differences can provide helpful guidance when choosing your accommodation: if you want to combine museums, historic sites and walking tours, focus your search on the relevant local pages. If walks, forests and nature observation are your priorities, compare the information about the corresponding parks and nature attractions. Fayetteville also has a regional airport that connects residents and visitors to the world via Charlotte and Atlanta; this travel factor can also be included in your planning.

Additional Local Pages for Orientation

For further options, you can visit the local pages for Fayetteville, Eastover, Fort Bragg, Spring Lake and Hope Mills. Other pages in the same broader selection are New Hanover County, Davie County and Watauga.

To the broader travel overview: North Carolina.