Fairfax County, Virginia

Fairfax County is simply bursting with things to keep you as busy as you like on your visit. The county is perfectly situated just to the West of Washington DC and basically surrounding (on three sides) Dulles International Airport.

I have visited several times over the years and always had a fun time making videos at some of these iconic locations like Mount Vernon (George Washington's home), The Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Wolftrap, Great Falls, Tyson's Corner and so on!

fast facts

Destination Name: Fairfaix County
State: Virginia
Closest Major Airport(s): DUL,

Time Zone: Eastern
Currency: US Dollar
Continent: North America
Country: USA
Primary Language: English

get there and around (transport)

By Car: If you're driving, utilize four major interstates to get you here. Interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495 all run through Fairfax County.
Interstate 495 - commonly referred to as the Capital Beltway - wraps around Washington D.C. and runs through Fairfax County, other portions of Northern Virginia and Maryland. To help make your trip more predictable, and faster during rush hours, you can use the new 495 Express Lanes. The 495 Express Lanes have a toll and operate alongside the regular lanes on the Virginia side of I-495. All drivers need an E-ZPass to use the Express Lanes.
Interstate 95 is a direct route into the region from both the North or South. I-95 recently opened up new HOT lanes that operate in the middle of the interstate from Stafford County into Fairfax County and are about 30 miles long. The lanes are reversible and are also tolled similar to the I-495 lanes. Buses, carpools with three or more people (HOV-3+) and an E-ZPass Flex switched to HOV mode, motorcycles and emergency vehicles can use the Lanes without paying a toll. Learn the access routes
By Plane: If you are arriving by plane then you have multiple arrival options as well. Washington Dulles International Airport,Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Airport all serve visitors to Fairfax County. Dulles is located in western Fairfax County while Reagan National is approximately 5 miles away from the county's eastern border. BWI is within a 45 minute drive of Fairfax and interstate access makes this an easy drive.

when to go (the weather)

Peak Season: Summer
Value Season: Winter
Shoulder Season: Spring & Summer

Weather in Fairfax County (and Northern Virginia) is uniquely positioned and enjoys a four-season climate, with a comfortable spring and fall, hot summers, and plenty of winter for skiing!

Hottest month (on average): July
Coldest month (on average): January

Video: Erik's Travel Tip No. 167 - What To Do When It Rains

family fun (video)

Bringing the family to Fairfax County for a vacation is an excellent idea. Take a look at a video we shot spotlighting some of the highlights for the whole family.

video archives

official tourism resources

Most destinations in the U.S. have an official tourism bureau. Learn more by watching this video. In addition, here are links to the official bureaus for this destination, the state and the USA.

Official Fairfax County, Virginia CVB
www.fxva.com/

Official State Tourism Bureau Site

Official USA Tourism Site

MEET ERIK THE TRAVEL GUY

Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy is an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to consumers who can't afford to "get their vacations wrong". He is the host and managing editor of the internationally syndicated television series "Beyond Your Backyard" for public broadcasting stations (PBS) and other networks/VOD platforms. Erik The Travel Guy is also host of the new podcast, Erik The Travel Guy - The Podcast. He leads an incredibly talented team of industry pros and is the editorial driving force of his platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, Erik believes travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, he has learned that travel brings cultures together and he eagerly shares that spirit with his viewers. Read Erik's Full Bio.