Close to renowned covered bridges and defined by its frontier history, the “Friendliest Town in America” feels a little bit like a step back in time.
Located in northern West Virginia, Fairmont exudes small-town charm and laid-back appeal that have earned it the nickname, the “Friendliest Town in America.”
The history of Fairmont is evident in many aspects of the modern town, especially at Prickett’s Fort State Park. Providing a snapshot of the early Frontier Era, the park includes a reconstruction of Prickett’s Fort, which was built by English settlers for protection from attacks by Native Americans. Step into homes and shops to see actors re-enact life on the frontier, dressed in period attire to maintain authenticity. Browse through the museum before you leave.
Learn more local history at the West Virginia Folklife Centre. Organized by the Fairmont State University, the centre hosts rotating exhibits that showcase the region’s cultural heritage. It also serves as a local entertainment venue.
Explore Fairmont’s downtown area, which is located on the banks of the Monongahela River. Small boutiques, bakeries, cafés and galleries fill the quaint centuries-old architecture that lines Main Street, making it an ideal place to spend the afternoon.
Drive 10 miles (15 kilometres) outside the town centre and spend the afternoon at Valley Falls State Park. It offers miles of hiking and biking trails that weave around Tygart Valley River and its waterfalls.
Fairmont is also known for its close proximity to nine of the state’s renowned covered bridges. Beautifully preserved, the bridges provide an ideal photo opportunity during the autumn months when the leaves are changing colour. Visitors and locals often spend a day driving down the country roads of Marion County to photograph the historic structures. Barrackville Covered Bridge, built in 1853, serves as a statewide landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fairmont is conveniently located along Interstate 79. The closest international airport is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 95 miles (150 kilometres) north.
