Things to Do in Fuquay-Varina

The expert referees and staff at Black River Paintball have hosted games of speedball, woods play, and simulated urban warfare for more than 22 years. Outdoor fields at two locations—each spanning at least 85 acres of wooded terrain—comprise bunkers, particleboard barriers, and thick patches of undergrowth that serve as ideal spots for players to hunker down after assaults or botched Braveheart monologues. Onsite rental shops arm participants with all necessary equipment including markers, goggles, and paintballs. In addition to walk-on rounds, the facility accommodates players during annual tournaments and scenario games, including themed survival quests based on properties such as G.I. Joe, World of Warcraft, and Harold and the Purple Crayon.

As one of the oldest courses in the Raleigh area, Raleigh Golf Association’s 18-hole course retains the same expanse of lush greenery as its 1929 prototype while benefiting from a number of refinements made during a 1998 renovation overseen by David Postlethwaite. Fairways arch over emerald waves of grass, connecting to form a 6,088-yard course dotted with mature trees and waterways. The club also encompasses a nine-hole course that is occasionally open to the public and always open to Arnold Palmer doppelgängers. A pro shop stocked with the latest golf gear and accessories beckons to golfers in need of new equipment.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, 6,088-yard course

• Course rating of 68.8 from the farthest tees

• Slope rating of 123 from the farthest tees

• Four tee options

Nestled within Lil' Black Creek Farm's 150 sprawling acres, Country Fun Park's tree-enclosed fields play host to myriad outdoor activities. Guests can spend an afternoon sniping out foes in the 3-acre, custom-designed paintball arena or take advantage of pig picking or spending time with farmer Ben's animals to barrage them with tactical assaults of love and affection. Golfers hone swings under the open sky at the driving range.

Trees sway on the shoreline. A bald eagle arcs across the sky. The lake ripples as a pontoon boat calmly cuts through its surface. The captains of Jordan Lake Pontoon Cruises, who are licensed for guiding on inland lakes, usher their passengers across the lake on various excursions from morning to night. On the seasonal Fall Leaf Cruise, they showcase the area's colorful fall foliage, and on Eagle-Viewing Cruises they help passengers catch glimpses of the lake's large bald-eagle population. They also lead guided fishing trips and charter the boat for swimming and fishing excursions. On select tours, captains provide breakfast and coffee or snacks, and invite passengers to board with their own drinks.