Rural feel meets community-centric feel in Vermont
Anchored by a quaint town center, Fairfax offers a close-knit community within the rural landscape of northwest Vermont, about 26 miles north of Burlington. Local establishments line Main Street, peppered between town buildings and New England-style homes, blending the natural setting with a small-town feel while staying connected to larger communities like St Albans and Milton or the more urban Burlington. Fairfax’s rural environment provides residents with easy access to various outdoor recreation. The Lamoille River cuts through the town’s south side, creeks vein their way throughout the community and lakes are peppered in between, all offering scenic views. Additionally, proximity to major thoroughfares like Interstate 89 provides residents with accessibility to surrounding towns.
Vernacular New England homes
Modest New England-style homes cluster along Main Street in Fairfax and spread out on increasingly larger lots as residential streets branch off into the verdant Vermont landscape. Townhouses and condos in duplexes may also be found closer to the town center, though most of the housing stock here consists of single-family homes. Farmhouses and colonial-styles mingle alongside Craftsman and Cape Cod styles. Prices for real estate typically range between $160,000 and $850,000, depending on property size and home age. Parcels of land are also available, providing opportunities for custom new homes.
One school campus for all grades at Bellows Free Academy
Bellows Free Academy has a Fairfax location along with its St Albans location. Situated on one campus, the Fairfax academy is split into the Bellows Free Academy Elementary School and the Bellows Free Academy Middle/High School Fairfax. Both schools earn C-plus overall scores from Niche. The building is currently expanding and under construction, slated for completion in August of 2025, in time for the 2025-2026 school year. Plans include additional classroom wings, new music spaces, high school science labs and a new special education space.
Outdoor recreation and sports at Fairfax Community Park
Fairfax’s relatively rural setting puts residents in proximity to many outdoor recreational opportunities. Set along the Lamoille River, the Fairfax Community Park & Recreation Path offer a paved trail along the waterside with scenic views. The park also features sports facilities like baseball fields, multi-use fields and a playground. The town recreation department hosts many of its events and programming here, which includes youth sports teams and summer camps. More adult and youth recreation opportunities take place at the Fairfax Community Center.
The St Albans Reservoir sits within the 100 Acre Woods in North Fairfax. Hiking trails loop around the reservoir and snake throughout the forest. Just west in Georgia, locals can access the Russell Greene Natural Area and the Arrowhead Mountain Lake for additional outdoor recreation.
Various classes, programs and events at the Fairfax Community Center
The Fairfax Community Center is a hub for community programs and events, such as classes, summer camps, youth sports and more. The community center is currently expanding to update its space and building additional community rooms for local gatherings. Weekly sessions include yoga every Monday, and youth and adult karate classes on Tuesdays. Seasonal annual celebrations at the center bring residents of all ages together throughout the year. The center hosts holiday events such as an Easter egg hunt and a Fourth of July Parade. A Kids Day and Ducky Race take place at the Community Park in the summer. Food trucks, face painting, games and other activities fill the day, which centers around a rubber duck race on the river.
A small town center and nearby conveniences in St Albans and Burlington
While Fairfax’s center is small, a few local establishments imbue the town with character. Stone’s Throw Pizza & Wine is one of the only restaurants in Fairfax and welcomes folks in with its cozy atmosphere. Formerly a church, Steeple Market is an independent grocery store carrying local produce, dry goods and merchandise. The market also features a hot food and sandwich bar, as well as a butcher counter. In St Albans, about 12 miles north, locally owned stores and restaurants line Main Street, including From Scratch and Twiggs American Gastropub. Highgate Commons Shopping Center has a Hannaford grocery store and TJ Maxx alongside several services and fast-food chains.
Connecting to Interstate 89 and beyond
Fairfax is a primarily car-dependent town, due to a lack of public transportation in the area. Fairfax’s Main Street runs through the town and serves as its main thoroughfare. Interstate 89 and Highway 7 run parallel to each other just minutes from Fairfax and connect with Burlington, about 26 miles south. Train stations serviced by Amtrak are located in St Albans and Burlington.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
