So you've been stationed at Fort Bragg and just arrived in the Fayetteville area. You're wondering to yourself "why are there so many abandoned cars on the side of the road?" Yeah, you'll get used to that. So first of all, welcome! Secondly, here's my local business guide for Fayetteville to help you get settled in. 

Read more

Lunchtime is approaching. Tolerance for your annoying coworker is diminishing by the second. The hangry monster is about it hit. It's about to be an emergency. Before you do anything drastic, I'm here to help with this detailed guide on the best places for lunch in Fayetteville. Whether you need a quick grab and go option or want to sit down for a lunch date, it'll have you covered (and full!) Of course, if you have any other favorites just share it in the comments section so others can try them too. Bon appetit!

Read more

It's the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and for good reason. Linville Falls has it all. It's easily accessible and with hikes that are good for all skill levels and there's lots of beautiful scenery along the way. Here's a complete guide on how to hike to Linville Falls from the visitor center covering all the trails there. You'll have everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

Read more

The weather is warming up so it's time to go coastal. Today I'm sharing an awesome day trip itinerary for a coastal city in North Carolina that's full of charm and character. Here's a detailed guide on how to plan a day trip to New Bern with everything you need to know for a fun-filled adventure.

Read more

You know I love a unique roadside attraction here at The Katie Show Blog, and I'm bringing another one to you today. Possibly one of the most interesting and unique ones I've seen so far and I am very grateful that I was able to squeeze this one in before I moved away. If you're in North Carolina, I'd love to help you plan a visit to it as well! Here's a full guide for visiting the Collettsville Cup House in North Carolina with everything you need to know to maximize your visit.

Read more

I'm coming to you today with another fun, unique attraction in North Carolina. I think these are my favorite because they add a unique character to the destination. If the city was a person, these unique attractions are the personality that make each place different. This one makes for a fun day trip from Fayetteville, but there's enough to do in the area that you could also turn it into a weekend or 4 day weekend trip quite easily too. Here's a full guide with everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Mickey Coffee Pot Historical Marker in Winston-Salem, NC.

Read more

Don't sell yourself short - you deserve a complete spa day experience, not just a one hour treatment. I'm talking fluffy robe, hot tub, sauna, steam room, treatment, and free smoothies. Fortunately, I know just the place where you can get all that and more. Here's my full guide on how to plan a day trip to The Spa at Pinehurst for the epically relaxing day you deserve. It's got everything you need to know to plan your day and if you have any questions, just let me know.

Read more

This area might just be my favorite part of North Carolina. It's charming, full of outdoor adventures, cute wildlife, great food, and lots of local stores to check out. Here's a detailed guide with everything you need to know about how to spend a weekend in Banner Elk. I've included a range of things, some I did and some I didn't, so you have a broad list of things to add to your weekend itinerary. No matter what you do, I hope you enjoy this gorgeous area of North Carolina as much as I did.

Read more

Pack your adventure bag and get ready for some epic views. I feel like this super popular hike is a must do while you're living in North Carolina because it'll serve up those quintessential Blue Ridge Mountain views on a picture perfect platter. Plus it's just a fun hike to do. Here's my detailed guide for the Rough Ridge hiking trail with everything you need to know to prepare for an awesome day out.

Read more

Are you ready for a hiking challenge? Here's my favorite hike in North Carolina so far. This hike has it all. It's a full day adventure with enough challenges to keep it interesting, incredible views, and cliffside ladders that make for an epic photo. Here's my full guide on how to hike Profile Trail to MacRae Peak. If you have any questions let me know, otherwise I hope it helps you plan your day out!

Read more

One amazing thing about living in North Carolina is that you don't even have to leave the state to have an awesome weekend away. There's so much opportunity for adventure here and a lot of variety as well so you're not always stuck doing the same thing. It's a pretty amazing place to call home, or even an adopted home for a few years. Today I'm sharing some tips to help you plan a weekend away in a cool town with lots of incredible scenery. Here's my guide on how to spend a weekend in Maggie Valley with what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. I hope it can help you and if you have any questions just let me know.

Read more

If you do a lot of hikes in the same area, at some point they start to look the same. It can get to a point where you might want to mix it up. Maybe to see some different scenery, different vegetation, or maybe something really unique. Maybe something like hiking on an old speedway complete with old cars and empty buildings that give it the feeling of a zombie movie set. Here's my complete guide on how to plan a day trip to the Historic Occoneechee Speedway trail with everything you need to know to prepare for a fun adventure.

Read more

If you're planning to visit Maggie Valley, the impressive nature is probably going to be the highlight of your trip. It's just a wonderfully gorgeous area and it has a bit of everything! Today we are taking a closer look at a really cool waterfall with this guide on how to hike to Soco Falls in Maggie Valley. It's got everything you need to know to plan your adventure and more. If you have any questions, just let me know otherwise have fun hiking!

Read more

So you've been sent to Fort Bragg and now you need to figure out what to do on the weekends, right? If you like the outdoors, this one is for you. Here's my guide to 10 awesome hikes 1 hour from Fayetteville to help you plan your adventures. The list starts with the hikes closer in to Fayetteville and moves further out as it goes along. I often find that when I move to a new place that's a good way to start exploring as I get used to the area after a move. Happy hiking!

Read more

Writing this one presented a tricky situation. You see, I think it's a cool place to visit for an easy outdoor outing but there was this one thing that brought it down for me. It was a weird situation where I liked it and think people should check it out, but I wouldn't necessarily be in a rush to go again. Let me explain and let's explore it together. Here's my full guide to help you plan a day out to the scenic Mott Lake, North Carolina.

Read more

My Lords and my Ladies, I'm very happy to share this with you today. Over the weekend I attended my first ever Renaissance Festival and, well, it was far better than I could've imagined. As I entered the gates, I was whisked back in time and into a place where us nerds were *finally* cool. It was the best day ever! Here's my full review as well as lots of tips for the Carolina Renaissance Festival to help you prepare for your adventure.

Read more

This one has to be a must do while you're living in or visiting North Carolina. It's pure magic. I think it doesn't matter how many animals you've seen in the wild, every time you get an encounter with them is something special. Here's a guide full of useful tips on how to spot Elk in Cataloochee Valley to help you prepare for your visit. Of course, if you have any questions just let me know and please share this so others can plan a visit too.

Read more

In November of 1983, a combination of poor weather and alcohol led to the crash of a small Cessna 414A plane, killing all on board. The wreckage still lies in the quiet mountains where it landed, leaving a unique site for hikers. Here's my full guide on how to hike to the Waterrock Knob plane crash with everything you need to know to plan your outing.

Read more

Who doesn't love a good brunch? Noone, right? That's what I thought. Well today I'm here to give you some new ideas with my top 8 places to go for brunch in Fayetteville. Some of them are the classic mimosa and pancakes style brunch experience and others offer something a little different. Either way, they're all good for a mid-morning date. If you have any others, feel free to share it in a comment, otherwise enjoy!

Read more

It's time to let your inner basic girl shine because today's post is all about flower fields. While they might be over for this year - sorry I didn't get to this earlier to allow more time for you to get there, I'm hoping this can help you prepare for future years. Here's my guide on checking out the sunflowers in Raleigh at Dorothea Dix Park. You can visit just for the flowers and I've added some tips at the end with other things to do in the area if you want to make a full day trip of it. Hope it helps and as always, if you have any questions just let me know.

Read more

Jordan Lake has just about everything. Beaches, camping, hiking trails, bird watching, boating, and a whole lot of gorgeous nature. Best of all, since it's only an hour away from Fayetteville, it makes for a great option for an adventure day in the sun and water. Here's my guide on where to swim at Jordan Lake with everything you need to know to plan your adventure.

Read more

Even though I moved to the US in 2013, I've never actually been to a 4th of July event. I haven't deliberately avoided them, it's just that each year I've either been working or traveling and missed the whole experience. Is that grounds for being arrested for treason? Who knows, but if it helps my case, it all changed this year. I'm sharing this post on what it was like to spend 4th of July at Fort Bragg because as we know, no one America's harder than a bogan Aussie immigrant. Oh yeah, and also because if you move here in the future (btw hi - what's the future like?) and you're debating whether drive your flying car to attend this event or not (do they still have events in the future or are they all on Zoom?) at least with this you'll have an idea of what to expect.

Read more

If you saw my post last week but feel a little overwhelmed about what to pack to go off the grid, I hope this will help! Here's my guide on what to pack for glamping at Glamping Unplugged. I've written it based off my experience at that specific glamping site, but I'm sure you could adapt it to wherever you will be going glamping - whether that's in the US or somewhere else. Just check what facilities you'll have and make whatever changes you need. Either way, I hope it can help make the packing process easier and give you a few ideas on how to keep it simple but still have an awesome time!

Read more

When you watched George of the Jungle, did you ever dream of living in his treehouse? Well, here's your chance. Sort of. Today I'm sharing a solo adventure I recently went on which was an off the grid glamping experience. It's got unique accommodation, nature, and a healthy balance of relaxation and adventure. If you plan to go glamping in North Carolina, here's everything you need to know to plan your stay at the awesome Glamping Unplugged.

Read more

"I'm here for Andre." That's what I said when I walked into the Rankin Museum of American Heritage. You see, when I moved to North Carolina, I didn't know much about it at all. I wouldn't have been able to point to it on a map (though I had a guess it was up north somewhere so even my guess was wrong!) The only thing I did know was wrestling history. Actually, wrestling is about all I know generally speaking - I'm the girl who went to WrestleMania alone after all. North Carolina gave us a lot of great wrestlers and Andre the Giant owned a ranch here. On this adventure I went to the town where he had his ranch to see if there were any tributes to him and I ended up finding this hidden gem of a museum. Here's my guide on how to plan your own visit. Even if you're not a wrestling fan, it's still worth a visit because it's got a lot more than just wrestling memorabilia and makes for a fun day trip.

Read more

Are you ready? I have another World's Largest thing for you today. And it's another one that is right here in North Carolina. If you're in the Fort Bragg area it makes for a perfect day trip whether you're on a solo adventure like me, heading out with friends, or have family visiting and want to take them somewhere unique. Here's why you gotta visit the World's Largest Strawberry Building and how to prepare for your visit so you have everything you need to know to get exploring.

Read more

I'm excited to share this one with you today because it's a hiking area with a unique twist. You'll be able to hike around a diverse range of settings, share the space with lots of wildlife, and even see a historic water powered mill. Here's my guide on how to plan a day trip to Historic Yates Mill County Park with everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

Read more

I'm keen to try just about anything to experience local cultures and traditions when I'm traveling or living somewhere - when in Rome, right? Recently, I got to try another tradition in my new home which is picking strawberries at a local farm. It's not just a common spring activity here in North Carolina, but in a lot of places in America and it's an adventure that's as delicious as it is fun. Here's my guide on 3 awesome local places to go strawberry picking near Fayetteville. I've also linked their Facebook pages and I recommend following them for updates on the season.

Read more

Are you struggling to figure out where to start when it comes to getting out and exploring Fayetteville? Today I'm here to help get your adventures started with this guide for 6 easy hikes in Fayetteville that are all kid and dog friendly. I've also linked my in-depth guides for each which contain all the information you need to plan your adventures. If you're new to living here, these are great options to get you started exploring the local area. I hope it helps and if you have any questions, just let me know!

Read more

Are you ready for an off the beaten path waterfall hike? While it might not be the biggest waterfall you'll ever see, at least it's something and getting out in nature is always a bit of fun, right? Here's a detailed guide for hiking the Pauline Longest Trail in Fayetteville where you can see a cool waterfall and gorgeous river views. As always, if you have any questions just let me know otherwise I hope this helps you plan your hike!

Read more

An easy nature trail for dogs, check. Scenic area without a long drive, check. Outdoor trail running or cycling area, check. A waterfall, check. This is an awesome local spot to get outdoors and soak up some sunshine. Here's my practical guide on how to plan a hike at the Cape Fear River Trail in Fayetteville, NC with all the tips you need to plan your day out.

Read more

I'm coming to you with another local Fayetteville outing this week. It's a great spot if you want to get outside for a bit without committing to a full day drive. It's great for families and trail runs and there's a lot of tours offered if you want to get more in depth to learn about the area. Here's my full guide on how to plan a visit to the Lake Rim pool and park in Fayetteville NC. If you have any questions, just let me know and I'm happy to help however I can otherwise I hope you have a fun adventure!

Read more

I'm really happy to share this one with you today because it was one of those outings that was unexpectedly awesome. Like much cooler than I expected when I went there. This spot has family-friendly trails, a waterfall, lots of tour options, and even dinosaur sculptures. Here's my full guide to help you plan a visit to the awesome Clark Park, Fayetteville NC. One of Fayetteville's coolest parks in my opinion. If you have any questions, of course let me know otherwise I hope you have a fun outing there too!

Read more

You want to know something that was on my dream list for this year? Visiting a unique world's largest thing - and the quirkier the better. I found one right here in North Carolina, planned a little solo day trip, and am sharing all the details today. If you're living around Fayetteville, it makes for a unique and easy day trip as well as just being plain old cool. Here's my guide on how to visit the World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point, NC with everything you need to know to plan your day out.

Read more

When you first move somewhere, what do you need to set up? A place to live, a gym, and to find some good coffee shops, right? Well, I'm here to help you sort out one of those things with this list of the best coffee shops in Fayetteville. I love a Starbys as much as the next basic bish but here are some other options where you can support local businesses and find some unique coffee shops. Because after all, getting into the local community is the best way to start settling in somewhere.

Read more

I don't want to jinx it but the weather seems to be warming (and drying) up. I feel like the Titanic meme while saying "it's been 84 years since I've seen sunshine." Ok, a bit dramatic but dang it feels like it's been raining forever, right? Now that we have a little sunshine, it's the perfect time to start getting in some outdoor adventures. I did this one as a mid-week solo adventure last week and today I'm sharing all the details to help you plan your own visit. Here's a guide on how to plan a visit to Reservoir Park in Southern Pines.

Read more

It's my six month anniversary of living in Fayetteville - how fast the time goes! I had wanted to do a post like this when we first arrived but the move in process was... rough. Not through anything specific to the location, just because of moving on only three weeks notice in the middle of a pandemic. It made finding a place to live and the settling in process a lot more difficult. I felt like it was a bit unfair to do first impressions at the start when we were so wrapped up in restrictions and dealing with organizing everything. The six month anniversary was a little more fair of a time frame to actually get some time to experience the new home. Here's my take on what getting stationed at Fort Bragg has been like so far.

Read more

Are you ready for Carvers Creek part two? You might remember I have already blogged the Long Valley Road access section of this park, and today I am following it up with the other side. Truth be told, I went there on a whim expecting it to be the same as the first one I had done. I thought I'd be out for a quick hike then home for lunch, but no. This one's a lot bigger and there's a lot more to explore. By the time I was done I was happy for the time in a beautiful area but starving! Here's what you need to know to prepare for the Carvers Creek Sandhills Access park so you are ready for an awesome adventure out there.

Read more

One thing for sure is that here in North Carolina there's no shortage of beautiful outdoor experiences. I have another hiking guide for you today that will take you on a slightly less crowded trail that leads to an awesome 5 tiered waterdall. Here's my guide on how to hike to Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC with everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.

Read more

If you want to get out of the house and into the outdoors but don't want to drive too far, I've got a great place for you. I like this one because it's good for just about everyone. If you're a beginner, there's easy well-maintained trails, if you want to add some oomph to it, you can run them. If you're bringing a pup or kids, it's good for both. Here's my guide on how to plan a day hiking at Raven Rock State Park with everything you need to know to plan your day out.

Read more

Let's say you're new to living in the Fayetteville area and want to start getting out and about to explore. Where do you even start? Today's post is for you and the place I'm sharing is a great place to start. It's easy to get to, not too far from Fort Bragg, and very beginner-friendly. Also, if you're nervous about getting out during the week with the kids or by yourself, it's a good one to ease you into the solo outdoor adventures. Here's my guide on how to plan a day trip to Carvers Creek State Park.

Read more

Today I'm posting a little throwback to the first outing I did since moving to North Carolina. This is a hike I did when I first got here and was still living in a hotel room. We rented a car for errands and maximized it by throwing in a family hike. Oh the relief to be out in nature again! It's just the best feeling, especially when paired with exploring a new home base. I'm here to help you plan a visit too, so here's my guide on hiking in Weymouth Woods with everything you need to know to plan your day out. It's an easy day trip idea if you're living in the Fayetteville area.

Read more

When I moved to North Carolina I was told I had to try apple cider donuts. It seemed that if I was going to be experiencing east coast traditions, this one wasn't optional. I wasn't going to question the good advice of people who recommend things to me and I'll try anything twice so it was added to my list. When I found this place, it was actually just a last minute fun day out and I had no intentions of blogging it, but... since it was a really cool outing I figured I'd share all the details here for people who might want to visit in the future. [Heads up that the pics are just some I took for fun on my phone] Here's where to get the best apple cider donuts near Fayetteville. If you're living in North Carolina, make sure this is on your list to visit during fall.

Read more