When the President calls 911, Fort Bragg answers. This saying is well-known throughout the military, and it couldn’t be more accurate. Fort Bragg, home of the Airborne and Special Operations, is one of the largest Army installations in the country. It is also known as a place from where service members deploy, some multiple times over. So, even before I relocated here, I knew what could be in store – sadly, lots of free time without my husband.
When that dreaded deployment time came (and came again), I quickly learned that I should stay busy and out of the house as much as possible. Instead, I discovered what the local area has to offer! A deployment is the best time to explore what you enjoy most (and what your service member may enjoy least!). In the end, my local sightseeing slowly turned into scoping out places to take my husband upon his return. Every time I visited a place I thought he would enjoy, I wrote it down. When he came home, I had a long list of places I wanted to visit with him. If you are based at Fort Bragg, you may be asking yourself, “Where do I go first?” My answer to that is, “The world is your oyster!” Where else can you have a great downtown nearby, plus the ocean and mountains within just a few hours’ drive?
Check out these tips for how you can make the most out of being based at (what I consider to be) one of the Army’s best installations.
Relocation
Fort Bragg is massive – there’s no doubt about it. Its prominent size provides everything you could ever need and want on one military installation. Nearly 30 tax-free grocery stores, shopping centers, and gas stations will help keep your hard-earned money in your pockets. Two bowling alleys, 13 fitness centers, ice rink, roller skating rink, library, three museums, and four parks provide entertainment for the whole family.
With all of these fantastic amenities on post, you’ll want to live as close as possible to the action. Be sure to visit Corvias Military Living’s website, where you can view the various on-post floor plans and home types that are available. Not only does Fort Bragg have brand new construction, but it also has homes with historic charm. Nine luxury-style pools with lifeguards, complimentary lawn care, two Bark Parks, a skate park, basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas are all available for your use when you live on post. Eleven community offices/centers ensure that you have a dedicated team of property management professionals should you need any assistance, including 24/7 emergency maintenance.
If you’re still on the fence about living on post, keep in mind: Fort Bragg boasts a total of nine highly sought-after Department of Defense (DoDEA) schools that are open to on-post families only. Access to the following schools is one of the many benefits of living on the installation: two primary schools (pre-K through second grade), four elementary schools (pre-K through fifth grade), one intermediate school (third through fifth grades), and two middle schools (sixth through eighth grades). Ten child development centers and three school age services centers are also available.
Fun Facts about the Fort Bragg Community
More than 55,000 service members are based at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is named for a native North Carolinian and Confederate General Braxton Bragg
Fort Bragg is comprised of 251 square miles across six counties
Babe Ruth hit his first home run in professional baseball in Fayetteville. He also earned his nickname “Babe” while here
Fayetteville, N.C. is the only “Fayetteville” that Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette visited
Surrounding area
Fayetteville, the city directly adjacent to Fort Bragg, is the sixth largest city in North Carolina. The recently revived downtown offers several boutique shops and restaurants that are fun to explore. Be sure to see a movie at the Cameo Art House, a small independent movie theater that is unlike any other I have seen. If you’re into the arts, don’t miss the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Cape Fear Regional Theater. Both have the charm of being located in a smaller city but offer big-city talents and quality productions. Check out the Crown Center for additional entertainment options, like big-name concerts and family-friendly shows.
If you like to live on the edge, Fayetteville offers some great adrenaline rushes. Try ZipQuest, named one of USA Today’s 10 great ziplines. Zip through a forest and over Carver’s Falls, the region’s only waterfall. If that still does not satisfy your appetite for adventure, visit Paraclete XP SkyVenture. According to their website, they are “the biggest vertical wind tunnel on the planet in terms of power and size.” That’s pretty impressive! Fayetteville also offers rock-climbing downtown at The Climbing Place. Be sure to ask about their military discounts.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, the area regularly has large festivals and events that offer good food and tons of fun. Fayetteville’s Dogwood Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people from the surrounding area. Free concerts, delicious food, and countless vendors guarantee a good time. Wilmington, N.C.’s Azalea Festival features the town’s historic homes and gardens, and Raleigh’s North Carolina State Fair offers rides, animals, and more fried food than you can ever imagine. (Be sure to try the fried Oreo, a local favorite!)
North Carolina is said to have some of the best beaches in the country, and you will not be disappointed. In addition to the well-known Outer Banks, Carolina Beach is known as one of the most relaxed beaches in the area. If you’re looking for a more well-renown location, visit Myrtle Beach, S.C. to ride the SkyWheel, mini-golf at one of the famously decorated courses, and walk along the family-friendly boardwalk.
If it’s the mountains you seek, you could not be in a better state. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a few hours’ drive away, and it’s a stunning sight to see. If you’re willing to travel a little farther west, don’t miss the Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in America – once you go, you’ll see why. Hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, biking, golfing –name an outdoor activity, and you can do it at the Smokies. For those who are more inclined to spend time indoors, there are plenty of arts and theater opportunities. Casinos are even nearby! Before you return home, stop in Asheville to take in one of the many live concerts and to visit the Biltmore, the largest home in the country.
I must also mention the fabulous sports teams that are nearby. The Fayetteville FireAntz hockey team provides a family-friendly atmosphere for local residents. The Durham Bulls (the same team featured in the movie “Bull Durham”) is the triple-A baseball farm team for the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium is conveniently located near Duke University, N.C. State, and UNC at Chapel Hill, all of which have notable college basketball and/or football teams, if you’re lucky enough to secure some tickets. In fact, these teams boast some of college’s best sports rivalries! You’ll see tons of school paraphernalia throughout the state – North Carolinians take their college sports very seriously. And last but certainly not least, golf enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. Fort Bragg is 20 minutes away from Pinehurst, the “home of golf” and of the 2014 U.S. Open Championships. Don’t miss the Carolina Hotel, a breathtaking historic building.
Weekend Destinations
Raleigh, N.C. is about 1 hour away – vibrant downtown with music, festivals, and museums
Wilmington, N.C. is about 2 hours away – historic homes, notable restaurants, relaxed beaches
Myrtle Beach, S.C. is about 2 hours away – family-friendly beaches, famous boardwalk, countless mini-golf courses
Charlotte, N.C. is about 3 hours away – home of the Panthers!
Charleston, S.C. is about 3 hours away– southern charm, breathtaking homes unlike anywhere else in the country
Asheville, N.C. is about 4 hours away – arts galore, delicious restaurants, beautiful mountain vistas
Washington, D.C. is about 5 hours away – our nation’s capital, several free sights to see
When I first moved here, I wasn’t sure how I was going to keep myself occupied during the many deployments I anticipated. More than three years later, I’m still finding new things to see and do in the area. After taking countless road trips and exploring the state, I have found myself calling North Carolina my second home – don’t be surprised if you find yourself doing the same!
***
Karen Orwin, Corvias Communications Specialist at Fort Bragg
I’m Karen, a proud Army wife. I do my best to stay optimistic and to never sweat the small stuff. I have an intense love for Syracuse University basketball and, subsequently, all things orange. I love to travel the world. When I’m not on a plane to my next destination, I enjoy running and bicycling. Stop in to see me at the Fort Bragg Corvias Program Office!