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Every Thursday, Say Hello To America will be 
showcasing the voices behind official Twitter accounts of destinations all across the United States and the city they represent. This week, say hello to Melody Foote from @FACVB. Melody has lived in Fayetteville nearly 20 years and began working at the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 12 years ago. While she has been involved with the social media work from the outset, its only since July of 2013 that Melody has been the voice behind FACVB’s Twitter feed.
1. What time of the year is best to travel to Fayetteville?
Because we are temperate all year round, we are not a seasonal destination. In the summer, there are lots of water spots to keep you cool. Golf in the winter times is the norm. However, to see seasonal blooms, the best time to travel to Fayetteville is late March through late April. This is when you can see the colorful beauty of the azaleas and the dogwoods in bloom. The perfect place to appreciate our natural beauty is the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Here is our average annual temperatures.
2. How would you describe the people of Fayetteville?
The people of Fayetteville are very welcoming and friendly. Because Fort Bragg (the largest military installation in the US) is our neighbor, Fayetteville is made up of a diverse group of people from across the US and the world. My husband and I moved here from New York, and never felt like an outsider, because of the diversity that is found here. The hospitality of the south can be found in Fayetteville.
3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about Fayetteville?
My favorite thing about this community is our pride in the US, and support of the military. Patriotism is evident throughout the community – and at many of the sites and attractions here. This support is not political at all either, it’s personal. Even if your families aren’t directly affected by deployments, etc – our neighbors, co-workers and friends are. We all support each other and it is a sense of community. We have several great displays of this support throughout the year – two that come to mind Field of Honor each May/June, and Salute to Our Veterans next month. This November, we are hosting Heroes Homecoming 3 – to say thank you and “we remember” to Veterans of Korea. Several of the original cast members of MASH will be on hand for these festivities.
My least favorite thing is probably the lack of a good NY-style bagel!
Market House
4. What is Fayetteville‘s most famous landmark or attraction?
I have to pick two! The Market House, built in 1832, is a National Landmark. It sits in the center of downtown Fayetteville. On this site NC Ratified the US Constitution and the University of NC was chartered. Government met upstairs, and downstairs was an open-air market.
Also located in the heart of downtown, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum is the only US Army museum not on an army base. It is the only facility that tells the history of the US Army Airborne from test platoon to present day.
5. Name one “secret” location that a traveler must visit.
Fort Bragg is an accessible army base. After stopping at two welcoming areas, any US Citizens can visit the sites and attractions on Fort Bragg. There are two museums, numerous statues, memorials, churches and sites to visit. It is a little known fact that visitors can tour Fort Bragg.
6. What is the best/easiest mode of transportation to get around the city?
Fayetteville has an airport, and driving is the best way to visit the key sites in the community. However, you could navigate downtown Fayetteville by foot.
7. Is there any festival or event in Fayetteville that a traveler should specifically plan a trip around?
The International Folk Festival, held the last weekend every September, celebrates the diversity of our community. This year 40+ groups, representing nationalities in this community presented their culture and food over this weekend festival.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
8. What are the best family-friendly attractions that Fayetteville has to offer?
Nearly all of our attractions are family friendly, but here’s a top five:
• ZipQuest (for kids 10+) – one of the top 10 zip lines in the US
• The Cape Fear Botanical Garden – 77 acres of specialty gardens
• Fascinate-U Children’s Museum
• Airborne & Special Operations Museum
• Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex – a branch of the NC Museum of History w/ three historical resources at one complex.
9. What is Fayetteville‘s signature food that every visitor has to try?
I recommend trying Cape Fear BBQ & Chicken. Locally owned, delicious food. President Obama ate there when he was campaigning!
Poe House
10. If I only had one day to explore Fayetteville, what MUST I see or do?
For your one-day tour, in the morning visit the Airborne & Special Operations Museum and NC Veterans Park. Grab lunch at Cape Fear BBQ & Chicken or The Mash House (a local brewpub) and learn what life was like at the turn of the 20th century at the 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. Finish your day with a visit to the beautiful Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Connect with Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Website: Visit Fayetteville
Twitter: @FACVB
Facebook: Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Youtube: Fayetteville NC
Instagram: visitfayettevillenc
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