Overview
Fairfax, usually called Fairfax City by the locals, is the county seat of Fairfax County, in the state of Virginia. The city has roots dating back to the 1700s. It has character and an identity of its own not often found in the much newer and largely homogeneous exurban areas in Northern Virginia.
11 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fairfax
Chocolate Lovers Festival
During the first full weekend of March, the Chocolate Lover's Festival is held in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Events include historic building open houses, children's activities, vendors selling various edible chocola…
Blenheim Civil War Encampment/Historic Homes Tour
Every other year in the Spring, a Civil War re-enactment camp is held at the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. The encampment features military muster, drill, and firing demonstrations. Alternating with …
Spotlight on the Arts
Each April, Fairfax, in cooperation with George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and City of Fairfax schools, sponsors the Spotlight on the Arts Festival. The Festival runs for three weeks and featu…
National Trails Day
In June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks Fairfax
Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show
The largest hometown parade and fireworks celebration in the Washington metropolitan region is held in Fairfax. The day's events include a parade through downtown Fairfax, tours of historic buildings and local museums, a…
Irish Festival
In September, a festival of Irish and Celtic song, dance, and music is held.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 14 mi away (major hub). Directions
The intersection of US-50 and US-29 is located within the city. The two major highways join together to form Fairfax Boulevard for approximately 2.8 miles before separating. VA-123 and VA-236 both pass through the city. VA-236 is named Main Street in the city (though it diverts onto North Street for about three blocks in Old Town Fairfax) and then becomes Little River Turnpike once the city line is crossed. In addition, I-66 is on the outskirts of the city.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $89–$89 a night (typical $97), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$190.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chocolate Lovers Festival, National Trails Day
- Lunch Chipotle
- Afternoon Fall for the Book Festival, Festival of Lights & Carols
- Dinner Pelano's Italian Food
- Evening Auld Shebeen
Day 2
- Morning Blenheim Civil War Encampment/Historic Homes Tour, Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show
- Lunch Viet House
- Afternoon Fall Festival, Civil War Day
- Dinner Dolce Vita
Day 3
- Morning Spotlight on the Arts, Irish Festival
- Afternoon The Holiday Craft Show
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The intersection of US-50 and US-29 is located within the city. The two major highways join together to form Fairfax Boulevard for approximately 2.8 miles before separating. VA-123 and VA-236 both pass through the city. VA-236 is named Main Street in the city (though it diverts onto North Street for about three blocks in Old Town Fairfax) and then becomes Little River Turnpike once the city line is crossed. In addition, I-66 is on the outskirts of the city.
The nearest Metro station is Vienna/Fairfax-GMU. This is the Western terminus of the Orange line. There are numerous CUE buses from the Metro station to various points in Fairfax. Taxis are available at the Metro station and fare to any point in Fairfax is approximately $10-15.
Get around
The downtown section of the city is 4 blocks wide by 2 blocks long. There are numerous free public parking lots and parking decks surrounding the downtown section. The city encourages visitors to park and walk. No building is more than a 5-minute walk from a free parking lot.
The local bus system in Fairfax is largely served by the CUE bus system. The buses run between George Mason University, the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU metro station, and other locations within or just outside of Fairfax. GMU students, staff and faculty with a valid ID ride free.
Fairfax boasts many shops and restaurants, along with a few hotels. Outside of the downtown section, the city is populated mainly with suburban residences. Fairfax Boulevard, which runs along the northern border of the city, is populated with strip malls.
See
The Fairfax County Courthouse is the oldest and most historic building in Fairfax. Its design is used as a prototype for many Virginia courthouses built between 1800 and 1850. The first meeting of the Fairfax Court was held April 21, 1800. During the Civil War, the Courthouse was used by the Union forces as military headquarters which resulted in the damage or loss of several records. The original building of the Fairfax County Courthouse is now used as the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.
One of the oldest buildings in the city is a former elementary school. Built 1873, the Fairfax Elementary School remains the oldest two-story building the city has ever seen and was built for an outrageous $2,750. This building reflects a new era of free public education in Virginia and the growth of the Fairfax area. Throughout the years, the school building was used for housing special education and adult education classes as well as a police academy training center. The historic building was renovated and, on July 4, 1992, it opened as the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center. The Old Town Hall is the social and architectural cornerstone of Fairfax. Joseph Edward Willard had it built in 1900 as a gift to Fairfax. Built by Arthur Thompson, a local contractor, the classical revival style building retains much of its original woodwork. It now houses the Huddleson Library, as well as the Fairfax Art League, and can be rented for weddings, business meetings and other private and business-related special events.
The following buildings in Fairfax are on the National Register of Historical Places:
Do
The city hosts a wide variety of annual events:
Do Chocolate Lovers Festival
During the first full weekend of March, the Chocolate Lover's Festival is held in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Events include historic building open houses, children's activities, vendors selling various edible chocolate products, and even chocolate sculpture contests.
Do Blenheim Civil War Encampment/Historic Homes Tour
Every other year in the Spring, a Civil War re-enactment camp is held at the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. The encampment features military muster, drill, and firing demonstrations. Alternating with the Civil War encampment is an Historic Homes Tour of homes in the city.
Do Spotlight on the Arts
Each April, Fairfax, in cooperation with George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and City of Fairfax schools, sponsors the Spotlight on the Arts Festival. The Festival runs for three weeks and features music, dance, theater, art, and choral concerts. Events take place at venues throughout the city and the colleges.
Do National Trails Day
In June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks Fairfax
Do Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show
The largest hometown parade and fireworks celebration in the Washington metropolitan region is held in Fairfax. The day's events include a parade through downtown Fairfax, tours of historic buildings and local museums, an Old Fashioned Fireman's Day at the Company 3 fire station, and a live concert and fireworks display at Fairfax High School.
Do Fall for the Book Festival
Fairfax has a new regional public library building that was completed in 2008. Each fall, the Fall for the Book Festival features readings, discussions, lectures, and exhibits from nationally-recognized writers and professionals. The program is coordinated with a school-wide reading project, "All Fairfax Reads".
Do Fall Festival
A Fall Festival is held in historic Old Town Fairfax on the second Saturday in October. This event includes more than 500 arts, crafts, and food vendors, and is usually held outdoors on the streets of the city. Attendance is about 35,000 to 45,000.
Do The Holiday Craft Show
An annual Holiday Craft Show is held at Fairfax High School on the third Saturday and Sunday of November. The event features hundreds of craft vendors. Attendance is about 8,000 to 10,000
Do Festival of Lights & Carols
On the first Saturday in December, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts a Festival of Lights and Carols. Activities include photos with Santa, caroling, a yule log, hot mulled cider, illumination of historic Old Town Fairfax, and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Buy
Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria, two large shopping malls, are approximately 6 miles north of the city on Rt. 123 in the city of Tysons.
Shop Fairfax Corner
Eat
Fast food
Eat Chipotle
The locally very popular semi-Mexican burrito joint.
Casual dining
Eat Pelano's Italian Food
Open daily at 11AM. A small family-owned Italian restaurant. $8-$16.
Eat Viet House
A small pho restaurant with two locations in Fairfax City
Eat Viet House (Second Location)
A small pho restaurant with two locations in Fairfax City.
Fine dining
Eat Dolce Vita
A small Italian restaurant offering traditional cuisine and an extensive wine list. The neighboring Cantina catered event venue and Dolce Veloce Ciccheti Wine Bar are owned by the same family that owns and runs Dolce Vita.
Drink
Drink Auld Shebeen
An Irish pub offering traditional cuisine during the day, pub games and Irish music throughout the week, and dancing and music late at night.
Sleep
Nearby
Vienna
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
Burke
City / town · 5 mi away
Annandale
City / town · 6 listings · 5 mi away
Tysons
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Centreville
City / town · 12 listings · 7 mi away
Chantilly
City / town · 19 listings · 7 mi away
Falls Church
City / town · 22 listings · 8 mi away
Reston
City / town · 30 listings · 8 mi away
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