Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina has all the small-town charm with the big city amenities just a short drive away in Raleigh. Once a resort town called Fuquay Springs, it was formed in 1909 and centered around a spring reportedly having healing powers. You can still visit the spring in the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, but there’s more to do than that–enjoy the downtown shops, fun breweries, beautiful trails, and historic sites.
It is a small town with a big heart–and you’ll see that in the events they provide and the thoughtfulness that goes into their restaurants and galleries.
Breweries in Fuquay-Varina
Aviator Brewing Company
The Aviator Brewing Company began in an airplane hangar and now offers tours and samples. Try one of their 24 hand-crafted, award-winning beers and sit back and relax on their outdoor patio. Near the brewery is Aviator Smokehouse and Aviator Pizzeria and BeerShop. Stop by the Smokehouse for St. Louis style smoked ribs, homemade onion rings, smoked pork, and wings, as well as their funky wing sauces. Their MocoLoco sauce has around 1 million Scoville units of heat and contains Ghost Chili Peppers. Earn the bragging rights and go try it with friends!
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Fainting Goat Brewing Company
Visit the Fainting Goat Brewing Company for a variety of handcrafted brews in a casual atmosphere. Pet lovers enjoy their dog-friendly patios and outdoor fire pits. You’ll find food trucks on location with a variety of delicious, irresistible food finds.
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The Mason Jar Lager Company
The Mason Jar Lager Company specializes in Lagers and also has a variety of food trucks to choose from as well as live music. This is a great place just to chill and have a beer with friends and family.
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Restaurants in Fuquay-Varina
Assaggio’s Pizzeria and Ristorante
Assaggio’s Pizzeria and Ristorante is another local favorite with New York-style pizza, quality wine, and subs. Named after the Italian word “Assaggio”, which means to taste, each dish is made with quality ingredients that are sure to impress.
Stick Boy Bread Co
This charming, family-owned bakery is a must-stop when visiting Fuquay-Varina. Artisan bread, pastries, desserts, & beverages are just a few of the made-from-scratch items that you can enjoy.
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History and Art in Fuquay-Varina
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Check out The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, with a nearly 300-seat theatre, art gallery, painting, dance, and digital studios. They also offer various art classes in their classrooms there. Sewing, jewelry, performing art classes–you name it, they have it!
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The Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex
The Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex is worth a visit to learn about the interesting history of the town and is home to artifacts, the Centennial Museum, and the Squire Ballentine School.
Events in Fuquay-Varina
The Grower’s Market of Fuquay-Varina is on Wednesdays and Saturdays and can give you a great sample of local products and live music. Another opportunity for live music is the Fuquay-Varina Concert Series, which runs in the spring and fall. Local
breweries and food trucks give visitors fun options to eat and drink while they enjoy the show. Kids can visit the free play area with fun inflatables and Mimi the Clown.
July 3, enjoy the Independence Day Celebration at South Park, with live music, inflatables, and fireworks.
Attend the Ice Cream Social at the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park on the National Ice Cream Day in July. The town offers free ice cream, lemonade, and iced tea while socializing with neighbors. How cute is that?!
October 3, it’s the Celebrate Fuquay-Varina event, with over 8,000 people typically attending the festival. With a magic show, storyteller, BMX show, musical acts, a chili cook-off, classic car show, food vendors—it’s an event worth attending. There is also a free Kid’s Zone and rock wall for your kids so everyone will be sure to have a great time!
October 17 is the Haunted Trail for both young children and adults alike. Families can attend earlier to avoid big scares, and older children and adults can go later on in the evening on the Frighten Trail for a scary walk through the woods.
December 3 is the Tree Lighting with choral performances, an outdoor ice skating rink, sleigh rides, and the festival of lights at the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park.
Things to Do Outdoors in Fuquay-Varina
The area has 20 parks and offers a wide variety of adult and youth sports leagues. Baseball, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, soccer, and more–it offers even more city sports options than some larger cities do!
South Park
South Park has a 6,000 square foot splash pad with over 35 water features and a huge tilting bucket to get really soaked! Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, it’s perfect for a hot summer day with the kids.
Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park
This park has beautiful natural bridges, overlooks offering views of wildlife, and the Jeff Wells Memorial Trail that is perfect for an afternoon walk. This 25-acre park is perfect for the entire family! You’ll find two illuminated and fenced-in softball fields, an illuminated and fenced-in baseball field, a batting cage, two separate playgrounds for the kids, a quarter-mile walking/jogging track, a large multipurpose/soccer field, and a picnic shelter.
Fuquay-Varina offers so many events and festivals for individuals and families alike, as well as a thriving Arts Center and fun breweries and restaurants. It checks all the boxes as a great place to live!
Sources
“Top 10 Things to Do in Fuquay-Varina, N.C.” Visit Raleigh, Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.
“Fuquay-Varina Festivals | Fuquay-Varina, NC.” Fuquay Varina North Carolina, Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.
“Smokehouse | Aviator Brewing Company.” Aviator Brewing Company, Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.