Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Overview
Visiting the small town community of Fuquay Varina is similar to traveling back to North Carolina’s bygone era. A time where life was less stressful, less complicated, and everyone knows all of their neighbors. Fuquay Varina has a lifestyle a huge number of city dwellers are once again desperately seeking. Located in Wake County, Fuquay Varina is just a few minutes away from the state capital. The town offers the best of both city living and the charm of small town living.
Fast Facts
- William Fuquay was a Frenchman who settled in Sippihaw, a small farming town. It was his great grandson who was credited with the discovery of a local spring in the 19th century. The tobacco famers accidentally discovered the body of water while plowing the family plantation.
- Stephen Fuquay assumed that the spring had healing properties. Locals helped establish the spring’s reputation as a medicinal asset. Several locals and tourists came to the springs, while the residents busied themselves by offering plenty of side services.
- Ballentine was a squire of the Confederate Army. He received plenty of letters from southern ladies. One letter of note came from a particular Varina, who later fell in love with Ballentine. Ballentine named the new post office as Varina.
- As the mineral springs grew in popularity, Moonlight Excursions were developed. The town of Sippihaw was renamed to Fuquay Springs years before its incorporation. The present-day Fuquay Varina is a consolidation of both cities.
Best Hotel Accommodations
Conveniently located within a few miles’ radius of Fayetteville, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh, the Fuquay Mineral Spring Inn and garden along South Main Street enjoys a variety of tourists looking for a historic bed and breakfast. Adults and children alike are enchanted by this warm, spacious inn with a modern country décor. Guests are not the only ones to pause in front of this Victorian home. On one of the main streets, tourists are often seen stopping to enjoy its colorful garden abloom with pansies, daisies, snapdragons, and hollyhocks. Book your Fuquay-Varina with Reservations.com.
Tourist Attractions
There are plenty of sightseeing opportunities in Fuquay Varina. The original mineral springs for which the city was named can be found along Main Street’s southern end. The National Register of Historic District is just a block and a half of commercial buildings. Eateries, shopping places, and historic landmarks can be found in downtown Varina, along Stewart and Broad Streets. Broad Street is known as Old Varina, and effectively provides that homey feeling of a small town. The 1910 train depot building has been listed among the National Registry of Historic Places as well.
Restaurants and Dining
Because the city is a combination of two earlier towns, two distinct downtown areas can be found in Fuquay Varina. Massive renovations took place in many of its historic restaurants. The Aviator Taphouse can be found within the old train depot. The restaurant has an assortment of uniquely brewed beverages, and serves all the beers on draft. The restaurant also features a big outdoor patio, where regional musicians provide nightly entertainment. Just across the street is the Aviator Smokehouse, which serves local fresh collards, burgers, smokehouse ribs, grilled chicken sandwiches, and chopped barbeque plates. J&S Pizza has some of the best pizza in the city. Elliot’s Pharmacy still offers fresh squeezed lemonade and features a full service old-fashioned soda fountain.
