The Mantua community offers secluded streets near Fairfax
Mantua is a secluded bedroom community of northern Virginia, bridging the space between U.S. Route 50 and Little River Turnpike. Access to the two thoroughfares and proximity to major cities like Fairfax and Arlington, along with the nation’s capital, attracts commuters to the neighborhood. Within Mantua, single-family homes are woven into a landscape of dense foliage separating the properties. “Mantua is a family-friendly neighborhood, and when you move there, you’re moving into an instant, small community,” says Michelle Sagatov, owner of the Gold Group at Washington Fine Properties. “People also like the neighborhood because the lots are big, with mature trees and a beautiful tree canopy, and houses are pretty spread out from each other.” Other nearby amenities include multiple shopping plazas and a pipeline of highly rated schools.
Quiet roads shaded by trees in northern Virginia
Trees line Mantua’s streets, lending a peaceful atmosphere to the community. Homes are often set back from the roads, fronted by yards and backed by tree lines, and have a variety of architectural designs. “You can find everything – ranch-style homes, colonial-style homes and mid-century modern,” Sagatov says. “There is a really unique diversity to it, where it’s not like the same house was built over and over again.” Prices rarely dip below the million-dollar mark, with properties typically selling for between $1 million and $1.25 million.
A-rated schools for Mantua students
Fairfax County Public Schools serves the Mantua area and receives an A rating from Niche. Mantua Elementary School runs from kindergarten through sixth grade, while Frost Middle School spans seventh and eighth grade. Both schools also earn A ratings. “The elementary school is highly ranked,” Sagatov says. “Families, in particular, like the neighborhood because of that.” Carter G. Woodson High School also scores an A. In early 2025, Woodson High was awarded the Highest Achievement Award for Exemplar Performance by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University is about 5 miles south.
Fairfax-area malls are just west
Residents have access to shopping and dining close by. Just off the northwest corner, locals can shop at Giant Foods on U.S. Route 50 or visit nearby restaurants. Mary’s Restaurant Pollo A La Brasa dishes out Peruvian food, while Bon Bon’s Cakery & Café has coffee and Vietnamese fare. Several shopping centers offer more options off the southwest corner of Mantua. Fair City Mall has a Safeway, Marshalls and HomeGoods, while the Pickett Shopping Center has a Trader Joe’s. Dining near the malls includes Japanese food at Blue Ocean, American fare at Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen and Yemeni dishes at Saba Restaurant.
Area trails and resident-only clubs in Mantua
A stretch of undeveloped green space runs through northern Mantua. A trailhead of the Accotink Trail is located between Mantua Park and Sally Ormsby Park, both of which accommodate walking and biking. “There are a bunch of trailheads throughout the community,” Sagatov says. On the east side, the Mantua Hills Swim and Tennis Club is members-only, but provides a communal spot for Mantua residents. “I think the nicest thing is that it has its own community pool,” Sagatov says. “People have parties there, and it’s a nice gathering area.” Locals can also fish in the Accotink Creek. Just east of Mantua, Eakin Community Park has a playground, trails and sports courts and fields. The Fairfax Ice Arena and the private Army Navy Country Club are just west.
Proximity to northern Virginia highways
Residents can get around via public transit close by, but Arlington and Washington, D.C. are less than 20 miles east via Interstate 66. Drivers can get on Interstate 495 in under 3 miles. “Because you have Route 50, the turnpike and 495 right there, it gives a lot of flexibility for people going into the city,” Sagatov says. “There are a bunch of different thoroughfares.” Richmond is just over 100 miles south, while Baltimore is over 50 miles northeast. Public transportation is accessible via WMATA MetroBus services, which has bus stops on Route 50, the Little River Turnpike and Pickett Road. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus is less than 4 miles from central Mantua. Dulles International Airport is about 20 miles northwest.
Annual events in Fairfax proper
Downtown Fairfax is less than 5 miles from central Mantua and puts on events throughout the year, including a Fourth of July festival, where a parade starts the day and fireworks end the night. Less than 3 miles from the community, the Mosaic District mall hosts other events. “It’s a really nice, outdoor mall area with outdoor shopping, restaurants and a really unique movie theater,” Sagatov says. Each summer, Mosaic puts on Films in the Park, where locals can sit on the lawn below a massive movie screen to watch family-friendly flicks.
