Fairfax (Virginia)

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.

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.

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:
colspan="3" | *The Old Courthouse and the Old Jail lie within the county enclave within the city.

Site	Year Built	Address	Listed
29 Diner (Tastee 29 Diner)	1947	10536 Fairfax Boulevard	1992
Blenheim	circa 1855	3610 Old Lee Highway	2001
City of Fairfax Historic District		Junction of VA 236 and VA 123	1987
Old Fairfax County Courthouse* (now the Juvenile Court)	1800	4000 Chain Bridge Road	1974
Old Fairfax County Jail*	1891	10475 Main Street	1981
Fairfax Public School (Old Fairfax Elementary School Annex)	1873	10209 Main Street	1992
Ratcliffe-Logan-Allison House (Earp's Ordinary)	1812	200 East Main Street	1973

The city hosts a wide variety of annual events:

• Chocolate Lovers FestivalDuring 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.

• Blenheim Civil War Encampment/Historic Homes TourEvery 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.

• Spotlight on the ArtsEach 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.

• National Trails DayIn June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks Fairfax

• Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening ShowThe 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.

• Irish FestivalIn September, a festival of Irish and Celtic song, dance, and music is held.

• Fall for the Book FestivalFairfax 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".

• Fall FestivalA 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.

• The Holiday Craft ShowAn 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

• Festival of Lights & CarolsOn 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.

• Civil War Day

  phone: +1 703 591-0560
  address: 3610 Old Lee Highway
  Historical talks, reenactments, music, and food. Tours of Blenheim House.

• Fairfax 275th anniversary

  phone: +1 703 790-0643
  address: 4000 Chain Bridge Raod
  Events throughout year, including special programs and exhibits at Fairfax Regional library, Sully plantation and at Blenheim civil war site on April 29, a talk by the current Lord Fairfax at Sherwood Regional library on June 15, and day-long festivities at the historic courthouse and surrounding plaza on June 17

• Fairfax 275th anniversary

  phone: +1 703 790-0643
  address: 4000 Chain Bridge Road
  Various events all year celebrating the county's 275th Anniversary. Events on April 29 at the Fairfax Regional Library, Blenheim and Sully. Events on June 17 at historic courthouse and plaza

Tyson Corner Center and Tyson Galleria, two large shopping malls, are located approximately 6 miles north of the city on Rt. 123.

• Fair Oaks Mall

  address: 11750 Lee Jackson Highway
  Anchored by Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Sears, and JCPenney.

• Fairfax Corner

  address: Monument Dr. & Government Center Parkway

Fast Food

• Chipotle

  phone: +1 703 934-7099
  address: 11062 Lee Hwy
  The locally very popular semi-Mexican burrito joint.

Casual Dining

• Pelano's Italian Food

  phone: +1 703 865-4010
  address: 11184 Lee Hwy
  Fairfax, VA. Open daily at 11am. A small family-owned Italian restaurant. $8-$16.

• Viet House

  phone: +1 703 934-0923
  address: 11216 Lee Hwy
  A small pho restaurant with two locations in Fairfax City

• Viet House

  phone: +1 703 691-0090
  address: 9966 Main Street
  A small pho restaurant with two locations in Fairfax City.

Fine Dining

• Dolce Vita

  phone: +1 703 385-1530
  address: 10824 Lee Hwy
  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.

• Auld Shebeen

  phone: +1 703 293-9600
  address: 3971 Chain Bridge Rd
  An Irish pub offering traditional cuisine during the day, pub games and Irish music throughout the week, and dancing and music late at night.

• Hard Times Cafe

  phone: +1 703 267-9590
  address: 4069 Chain Bridge Rd
  A great bar for young professionals and college kids. Good, inexpensive food and drinks. Always playing sports on the TVs and Thursdays from 3PM-9PM is dollar domestic bottles.

• Best Western Fairfax

  address: 3535 Chain Bridge Rd

• Candlewood Suites

  address: 11400 Random Hills Road

• Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks

  address: 11220 Lee Jackson Highway
  (Rte. 50).

• Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks

  address: 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway

• Marriott Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks

  address: 11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Rte. 50)

• Residence Inn Fair Lakes Fairfax

  address: 12815 Fair Lakes Parkway

• Holiday Inn Express Fairfax

  phone: +1 703 359-2888
  address: 10327 Fairfax Blvd
  Contemporary design.

• SpringHill Suites Fairfax Fair Oaks

  phone: +1 703 691-7880
  address: 11191 Waples Mill Road
  Suites with microwave, mini-fridge, large work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center.

• Hyatt House Falls Church/Merrifield

  phone: +1 571 327-2277
  address: 8296 Glass Alley Fairfax, 22031