Things to Do in Hope Mills

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.

White-sand beaches flank a 6-acre manmade, sand-bottom lake at Fantasy Lake Water Park, a family-friendly destination offering attractions both in and out of the water. There are numerous water slides, including enclosed-tube slides, open slides with foam mats, and drop slides that unleash adrenaline by sending bodies freefalling to a splash landing. Visitors can also glide into the lake on swings or play games of volleyball or basketball waist deep in water. Pedal-boat rentals are included with admission, giving legs a chance to do some of the work after walking around on your hands all day. Kid-friendly ziplines and other attractions populate a children’s zone, and the savory scents of barbecue drift from charcoal grills in a picnic area.

Deborah Reavis, the resident artist at Wine, Paint & Canvas, has nearly two decades of teaching art under her belt, making her an excellent tutor for classrooms full of fledgling painters of all ages. Seated in front of rows of provided easels and surrounded by the works of past classes, students follow their instructors’ directions to produce the evening’s piece. Though everyone works from the same template, each student has the chance to stylistically personalize their work by mixing colors or painting only the coolest facial hair on self-portraits. Before brush touches canvas, guests can mingle over glasses of BYO wine and bottles of beer, with soda available for purchase.