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27 Fun Date Ideas in Fayetteville, NC (You Will Love!)

Cameo Art House Theater, one of the best date ideas in Fayetteville, NC
Date ideas in Fayetteville, NC – refrina / Shutterstock.com

Are you looking for fun date ideas in Fayetteville, NC? Then you’re in the right place!

Fayetteville is a city with many great things to do for couples. Whether you like games, entertainment, art, sports, or something else, there are many activities to choose from if you’re going on a date in the city.

To help you find the perfect activity for your date, I made this Fayetteville date ideas guide with a large variety of amazing things to do for couples. These are both fun for those going on a first date and for couples who’ve been together for years looking for a romantic activity.

Date Ideas in Fayetteville, NC

See a Show at the Gilbert Theater

View of a sign of the Gilbert Theater
Sign of the Gilbert Theater – refrina / Shutterstock.com

The Gilbert Theater is a theater in Fayetteville that you can find at 116 Green Street in Fayetteville. This is a community theater that opened in 1994.

You can go here to see a great live theater show during a romantic date.

Many different types of theater productions take place at the theater. There are both classic and contemporary productions and the theater produces shows by well-known playwrights, as well as shows by up-and-coming writers from the region.

You can also find several great restaurants close to the theater where you can have dinner before or after seeing a show at the Gilbert Theater. For example, you can enjoy delicious food at Circa 1800 and then see a show at the theater.

Address: 116 Green St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Play an Escape Game at Escape Room Fayetteville

Escape Room Fayetteville is a place where you can play an escape game. This is an immersive, live-action game during which you have to solve clues and puzzles to escape from the room before the time runs out.

During the games, you have to work together to solve all puzzles within 60 minutes.

Each escape room that you can find at Escape Room Fayetteville has a unique theme and unique clues. These rooms also differ in difficulty.

For example, one of the games that you can play is the “Vegas Hangover” game. Another game that you can play here is the “Zombie Escape” game, during which you have to make it to the “Old Man Millers abandoned house”

Address: 3639 B Sycamore Dairy Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Play Miniature Golf at the Putt-Putt Fun Center in Fayetteville

You can play miniature golf at the Putt-Putt Fun Center, which you can find at 3311 Footbridge Lane in the city of Fayetteville.

At this center, you can find 3 different miniature golf courses that are all fun to play with your date.

In addition to miniature golf, you can find various other fun attractions at the Putt-Putt Fun Center. For example, there is also an arcade where you can play all sorts of games, including classic ones, so that’s also fun if you’re looking for date ideas in Fayetteville.

When you want to experience multiple attractions, you can make use of the “multi-attractions card”. There’s also a special price for college students.

Besides that, there’s also a cafe at this place where you can get pizza, all sorts of drinks, and much more.

Address: 3311 Footbridge Ln, Fayetteville, NC 28306

See a Movie at Cameo Art House Theater

Outside of Cameo Art House Theater – Anne Richard / Shutterstock.com

The Cameo Art House Theater is a theater that you can find inside a historic building that dates back to the year 1914 and you can find the theater at 225 Hay Street.

At the Cameo Art House Theater, you can see all kinds of alternative movies, such as indie films, foreign-language movies, and other types. You can also see some of the latest Hollywood movies here. This is also amazing if you’re looking for fun things to do at night in Fayetteville.

In addition to going here for a movie date, you can also go here to see live performances, which is one of the most fun date night ideas in Fayetteville as well. For example, sometimes you can enjoy great comedy shows and concerts at the theater.

The theater’s intimate atmosphere and great snack options are great for a romantic date night as well.

Address: 225 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Have Fun Jumping at Sky Zone Fayetteville

Sky Zone Fayetteville is an indoor trampoline park that you can find at the Westwood Shopping Center.

You can find various fun attractions at this trampoline park.

For example, there is a freestyle jumping area where you can jump on wall-to-wall trampolines.

There’s also a place where you can play dodgeball on trampolines, there is a ninja warrior course, you can find a parkour area here, there’s a zip line, and there are many other attractions.

After exploring the attractions of Sky Zone Fayetteville, you can also check out a nearby restaurant. For example, a great restaurant that you can find next to the trampoline park is “The Friend’s Table”.

Address: 361 Westwood Shopping Center, Fayetteville, NC 28314

Taste Delicious Ice Cream at Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop

You can go to the Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop, which is an ice cream store where you can choose from a variety of delicious flavors of ice cream.

You and your date can choose from many different flavors, including rotating flavors.

One of the best flavors of the ice cream store is “The Chesire Cat”, which is a flavor that tastes like cotton candy.

The flavor “The White Rabbit” is a delicious vanilla ice cream flavor that has no sugar in it.

Because of the rotating flavors of Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop, you can also discover a new flavor every time you go here.

Address: 1405 Hope Mills Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304

See a Baseball Game at the Segra Stadium

Segra Stadium from the outside
Outside of the Segra Stadium – refrina / Shutterstock.com

The Segra Stadium is a stadium where a variety of great events take place.

Couples that love baseball will enjoy going to the stadium as it is the home field of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. Seeing a game of this Minor League Baseball team is a fun activity.

Besides baseball games, there are other types of events that are also held at the stadium. For example, sometimes you can go to a concert or a festival at the Segra Stadium.

Address: 460 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go to Dragon Lanes and Bowl

Dragon Lanes is a bowling alley that you can find on Bastogne Drive in Fort Liberty, near Fayetteville.

At this bowling alley, there are 24 modern bowling lanes with automated scoring. You can also play all sorts of arcade games at the bowling alley.

You can also experience cosmic bowling at Dragon Lanes, which is also a romantic activity in Fayetteville. This is bowling in the dark with black lights.

Besides that, you can find the “Strike Zone Snack Bar” at Dragon Lanes. At this place, you can get great burgers, French fries, breakfast burritos, and much more. There’s both a breakfast menu and a lunch and dinner menu.

The bowling alley also has low prices.

Go to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Attend a Performance

You can go to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre for a romantic date, which is a performing arts theater that dates back to the year 1962 when it was founded by a group of local actors.

The theater is a complex of three stores and the main stage has a capacity of 300 people.

Lots of different events take place at the theater, throughout the year. Each season of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre includes 5 different shows. Going to a show here is one of the best things to do in Fayetteville.

One of these shows, which you can see during the holiday season, is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. This is an annual Christmas show.

It is also possible to do classes at the theater.

Address: 1209 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28305

Taste Delicious Baked Goods at The Sweet Palette

The Sweet Palette from the outside
Outside of The Sweet Palette – Goldilock Project / Shutterstock.com

The Sweet Palette is a bakery that opened in 2014 and it’s great to check out if you’re looking for romantic things to do in Fayetteville for couples. The bakery was founded by Patsy Crawford in the historic downtown area of Fayetteville.

At the bakery, you can get both traditional and creative baked goods with your date.

From macaroons to cupcakes to ice cream, you can have all kinds of delicious treats at The Sweet Palette. For example, you can get great chocolate cupcakes here.

Address: 101 Person St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Have All Kinds of Tea Drinks at Winterbloom Tea

Winterbloom Tea is a tea shop that you can find at 238 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville.

At the store, you can find a large selection of loose-leaf tea. You can find teas from all over the world at this place, including very unique ones, and these teas can be great to try during a date.

There’s also a tea blend that changes every day.

Besides that, Winterbloom Tea has a cozy interior and comfortable chairs.

Address: 238 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Ice Skate at Cleland Ice & Inline Skating Rinks

Cleland Ice & Inline Skating Rinks is a facility that you can find in Fort Liberty, next to the city of Fayetteville.

At the ice skating rink, you can enjoy public ice skating throughout the year. You can come here almost every day of the week, except for Thursdays.

If you want to spend less on your date, you can go to the ice skating rink on a weekday. On a weekday the cost per session is lower than on the weekend.

You can also take weekly ice skating lessons with your date during which you learn to ice skate from instructors.

Address: 1606 Rock Merritt Ave, Fort Liberty, NC 28307

Experience Fine Dining at Circa 1800

Circa 1800 and other buildings in Fayetteville
View of Circa 1800 and other buildings in Fayetteville – Goldilock Project / Shutterstock.com

Circa 1800 is a fine dining restaurant that makes for a great date idea in Fayetteville. The restaurant is located at 108 Person Street.

At Circa 1800, you can enjoy incredible locally-focused New Southern cuisine. There are many great dishes to choose from, including delicious fried green tomatoes.

The desserts that you can get at Circa 1800, such as the banana pudding and the chocolate cake, are incredible too.

Circa 1800 has an intimate atmosphere and the service that you get here is great as well.

Besides dinner, the restaurant is also open for lunch from Wednesday to Saturday, and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 108 Person St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Have a Pizza Date at Gusto Napoletano

Gusto Napoletano is a great restaurant for a pizza date. This is a veteran-owned restaurant where you can get delicious, authentic Neapolitan cuisine made from scratch using fresh ingredients.

Also, the chef, Chef Nadia Minniti, has a certificate from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.

The pizzas that you can get are made according to the Verace Pizza Napoletana guidelines. These guidelines state that the dough should be made with water, salt, yeast, and flour only, among several other guidelines.

The pizzas look amazing and have an incredible taste, and there are many types to choose from, including the delicious Pizza Marinara.

You can also get great desserts at Gusto Napoletano, including amazing tiramisu.

Address: 2711 Raeford Rd #112, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Go to the Stop Button Bar and Play a Variety of Games

Stop Button Bar is an arcade that was founded in 2016 by veterans where you and your date can have a lot of fun.

At this arcade, which you can go to every day of the week, you can play all sorts of games. The game selection includes classic arcade games such as Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong.

Besides that, there are many other types of games, including modern arcade games, racing games, and a selection of rotating pinball machines.

You can also get all kinds of drinks at Stop Button Bar, including cocktails, different types of craft beers, local brews from North Carolina, all kinds of non-alcoholic beverages, and much more.

Address: 4251 Legion Rd #127, Hope Mills, NC 28348

See Art at The Arts Center Gallery

Entrance of The Arts Center Gallery
Front of The Arts Center Gallery – refrina / Shutterstock.com

The Arts Center Gallery is an art gallery of the Arts Council of Fayetteville that you can find in the historic downtown of Fayetteville.

At the gallery, you can see great changing art exhibitions with your date. The art that is on display at the gallery includes works by local and national artists. Some of the exhibitions, such as photography exhibitions, relate to North Carolina or Fayetteville in some way.

Sometimes, you can also go to art-related events at the art gallery which is also great if you’re looking for fun date ideas in Raleigh. For example, there might be a workshop that you want to attend with your date.

Address: 301 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go to the Rude Awakening Coffee House and Have Coffee

Rude Awakening Coffee House is one of the best coffee shops in Fayetteville where you can have a great coffee date.

At this coffee house, which opened in 1999, you can get a delicious coffee drink made with Jade Espresso from the Magnolia Coffee Company, which is a local coffee roaster from Charlotte, NC.

From drip coffee to lattes to cold brew, you can get many different types of delicious coffee drinks at Rude Awakening Coffee House.

In addition to that, there are also many food options, such as pastries, chocolates, sandwiches, and much more.

The coffee house’s great atmosphere and courtyard further improve your date experience here.

Address: 227 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go to an Event at the Crown Coliseum

The Crown Coliseum, a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 seats, is a venue that is part of the Crown Complex. There are two other venues that are also part of the Crown Complex.

There are many different types of events that you can attend with your date at the Crown Coliseum.

Whether you want to listen to great live music during a conder, see a great dance show, enjoy a magnificent ice show, or see an ice hockey game, you can do so at this venue. In addition to that, you can also often attend season events at the Crown Coliseum.

There are also many concession stands and bars at the stadium where you can get great food and drinks.

Address: 1960 Coliseum Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306

Attend Holiday Lights in the Garden at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Gazebo and trees at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Gazebo at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Near downtown Fayetteville and close to the Cape Fear River, you can find the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. This is a botanical garden that opened in 1989 that is home to a variety of specialty gardens with many different types of plants and flowers, and historic structures.

Throughout the year, there are different types of events that take place in the garden. One of these events is the Holiday Lights in the Garden event.

This is an event that takes place during the month of December. During it, you can see thousands of lights in the garden as well as light displays.

In addition to that, you can see Santa, listen to holiday music, shop at a vendor market, and do much more during this event.

Address: 536 N Eastern Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Have Cupcakes at Smallcakes Fayetteville

Smallcakes Fayetteville is a cupcakery and ice cream store that opened in 2017 where you can get all kinds of gourmet cupcakes and ice cream with your date. It is a locally-owned and operated franchise of Smallcakes.

The cupcakes and ice cream that you can get here are made fresh daily using high-quality ingredients. Also, everything that you can get here is made by hand in small batches.

One of the best flavors of cupcakes to try is the “cookies-n-cream” flavor. You can also try a few flavors together and determine which ones you like best.

There are different flavors of ice cream to choose from as well, and the red velvet ice cream is a great one.

Address: 2132 Skibo Rd #114, Fayetteville, NC 28314

Shop at Cross Creek Mall

Cross Creek Mall is a shopping mall where you can find more than 100 stores. The stores that you can find here include many well-known retailers such as H&M and Macy’s, as well as many other stores.

A romantic thing to do in Fayetteville is to spend some time at the mall and shop together.

Besides that, you can find various great places for food and drinks at the mall. From bubble tea to sushi to pretzels, you can choose from many different places at the mall with your date.

Enjoy Performances and Food during the International Folk Festival

Performance and crowd at the International Folk Festival
Performance at International Folk Festival – Chansak Joe / Shutterstock.com

The International Folk Festival is an annual festival that is organized by the Arts Council of Fayetteville.

During the festival, which has been taking place for more than 40 years, you can enjoy delicious food and see amazing performances with your date in downtown Fayetteville.

The festival is about promoting unity and community and features very diverse activities.

You can enjoy delicious food from cuisines from all around the world, see unique dance performances, shop for diverse art, and see and do much more at the festival.

The festival takes place for two days in the month of September.

Go Indoor Rock Climbing at The Climbing Place

The Climbing Place is an indoor rock climbing facility that can be great if you’re looking for romantic activities in Fayetteville. It is the oldest climbing gym in the state and opened more than 20 years ago.

You can go here during all days of the week, except for Sunday, to experience indoor rock climbing and bouldering.

Both beginners and more advanced climbers can go to this facility, and it is possible to take classes. You need to do a belay class if you want to belay at The Climbing Place. For these classes, you don’t need a reservation.

Address: 436 W Russell St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Visit the Fayetteville State University Planetarium

The Fayetteville State University Planetarium is a planetarium that is located on the university’s campus where you can see great shows with your date about the universe. These shows are projected on a large dome.

Each show at the planetarium is a great way to learn about the universe, and at each show, there is an astronomer whom you can ask all the questions you have.

The planetarium of the Fayetteville State University has the highest number of pixels per square inch of any other planetarium in the world, which means that the shows are very clear.

Besides regular shows, you can also sometimes go to a special event at the planetarium, such as a viewing of a solar eclipse.

Address: 1200 Murchison Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go to Blue Moon Cafe and Enjoy a Delicious Lunch

View of a street in Fayetteville on which Blue Moon Cafe is located
Street in Fayetteville on which Blue Moon Cafe is located – Anne Richard / Shutterstock.com

Blue Moon Cafe is a restaurant that you can find at 310 Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville. The restaurant has a large menu and it is a great place for a romantic lunch date.

You can choose from a variety of delicious sandwiches. For example, the “Cauliflower Po’Boy” is a great one, which includes seasoned cauliflower, romaine, tomato, and vegan remoulade.

You can also get nachos, tacos, sales, flatbread, and much more at Blue Moon Cafe. The dishes that you can get here are very creative.

It is also possible to go to the restaurant and enjoy delicious brunch, and there are many great cocktails and mocktails to choose from.

Address: 310 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go Axe-Throwing at Axes and Armor Hatchet House

The Axes and Armor Hatchet House is an axe-throwing facility that you can find at 4005 Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

At this facility, you can experience urban hatchet throwing with a date. Axe-throwing is an activity that is very similar to darts, during which you throw axes at a wooden target on an axe-throwing lane.

You can book a 60-, 90- or 120-minute session at this place. These sessions include instructions

In addition to that, you can do other fun activities at Axes and Armor, such as playing arcade games, so that’s also one of the best things to do in Fayetteville for couples.

There’s also a bar at this facility where you can enjoy a drink after throwing axes, and the atmosphere of Axes and Armor Hatchet House is great too.

Address: 4005 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304

Learn New Things at the Museum of the Cape Fear

The Museum of the Cape Fear is one of the best museums in Fayetteville. It was founded in 1988 and it’s a museum where you can learn new things about the history and culture of Southern North Carolina.

The museum has a large variety of exhibits through which you can learn about local history. Some of the subjects that the exhibits cover include European explorers and settlers, Native Americans, and the local textile industry.

Besides learning about local history and culture through exhibits, there are also demonstrations and other activities through which you can learn new things during your date.

This museum is also great to check out if you’re looking for free things to do in Fayetteville.

You can also find various historic buildings at the museum, such as the 1897 Poe House.

Address: 801 Arsenal Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28305

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Day trips from Fayetteville, NC

Rainy day activities in Fayetteville, NC

Weekend in Fayetteville itinerary

Fayetteville Date Ideas Tips

The Fayetteville date ideas in this article are great if you want to have a romantic time in the city, but an easy way to have an even more amazing and romantic time is by doing two of the activities on this list during one date.

For example, you can first get ice cream at the Mad Hatters Ice Cream Shop and then see a movie at the Cameo Art House Theater, or you can get delicious tea at Winterbloom Tea and then go to The Arts Center Gallery to see art exhibitions.

Street with a fountain in Fayetteville, NC
Fountain in Fayetteville, NC – refrina / Shutterstock.com

Date Ideas in Fayetteville Map


As you see, there are many great things to do in the city for couples! I hope I helped you find some fun date ideas in Fayetteville, NC.

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