Laura’s Guide to Nelson County
Food scene
Great stop for breakfast or lunch- limited hours, as of December 2020 they were open Wed-Sat 9:30-2:30. Amazing food and baked goods!!
25 locals recommend
Sweet Bliss Bakery
2789 Rockfish Valley HwyGreat stop for breakfast or lunch- limited hours, as of December 2020 they were open Wed-Sat 9:30-2:30. Amazing food and baked goods!!
Mac's Country Store
7023 Patrick Henry HwyAmazing breakfast biscuits and fried chicken!
Blue Ridge Pig
2198 Rockfish Valley HwyI highly recommend the smoked turkey croissant with dill sauce!
My favorite local restaurant and they also make amazing beer- outdoor seating is plentiful, beer flights are available, and the food is great!
43 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Barrel House
495 Cooperative WayMy favorite local restaurant and they also make amazing beer- outdoor seating is plentiful, beer flights are available, and the food is great!
Decent Italian at a great price- you can order online for pickup or call ahead. I love their eggplant parmesan!
25 locals recommend
Vito's Lovingston
8181 Thomas Nelson HwyDecent Italian at a great price- you can order online for pickup or call ahead. I love their eggplant parmesan!
I love this adorable little wine and cheese shop that also does Sunday brunch and is often open for dinner- best to confirm their hours online or call ahead.
103 locals recommend
Basic Necessities
2226 Rockfish Valley HwyI love this adorable little wine and cheese shop that also does Sunday brunch and is often open for dinner- best to confirm their hours online or call ahead.
Super good pizza and salads (I'm a huge fan of their Caesar and shaved beet salads), on the way to our place if you're coming from Charlottesville.
65 locals recommend
Dr. Ho's Humble Pie
4916 Plank RdSuper good pizza and salads (I'm a huge fan of their Caesar and shaved beet salads), on the way to our place if you're coming from Charlottesville.
Wineries
One of my favorite local wineries- beautiful views and great wine!
262 locals recommend
Veritas Vineyards and Winery
151 Veritas LnOne of my favorite local wineries- beautiful views and great wine!
Beautiful views, great wine, and they have excellent food. A bit pricey but worth the occasional splurge- go ahead and order the cheese plate!
207 locals recommend
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
5022 Plank RdBeautiful views, great wine, and they have excellent food. A bit pricey but worth the occasional splurge- go ahead and order the cheese plate!
Another one of my top local wineries to visit- the views are amazing here!
133 locals recommend
Afton Mountain Vineyards
234 Vineyard LnAnother one of my top local wineries to visit- the views are amazing here!
Not as stuffy as many other wineries in the area, and although the views are not spectacular the wine IS!!! My favorite is their "hopped Chardonnay" but they have a lot of other great wines too.
73 locals recommend
Cardinal Point Winery
9423 Batesville RdNot as stuffy as many other wineries in the area, and although the views are not spectacular the wine IS!!! My favorite is their "hopped Chardonnay" but they have a lot of other great wines too.
Breweries
My favorite local brewery! The Afton location is a full service restaurant that gets PACKED on the weekends, so I much prefer to visit their production facility, the Blue Mountain Barrelhouse, but either way they make great beer.
358 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop RdMy favorite local brewery! The Afton location is a full service restaurant that gets PACKED on the weekends, so I much prefer to visit their production facility, the Blue Mountain Barrelhouse, but either way they make great beer.
I'm not usually a cider fan but I do love Bold Rock- they have some great dry ciders and also lovely views and ambiance. Things have changed a lot due to COVID and they do get crowded on the weekends, so definitely do your research online/call ahead.
169 locals recommend
Bold Rock Hard Cider
72 School House RdI'm not usually a cider fan but I do love Bold Rock- they have some great dry ciders and also lovely views and ambiance. Things have changed a lot due to COVID and they do get crowded on the weekends, so definitely do your research online/call ahead.
What can I say? They have a lot going for them, but the prices are way too high and the food is not that great if you ask me.
326 locals recommend
Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub
200 Mosbys RunWhat can I say? They have a lot going for them, but the prices are way too high and the food is not that great if you ask me.
This place will really surprise you! They have an amazing "meadow" spot down by the river out back, some okay beers, and pretty good eats from their food truck.
74 locals recommend
Brewing Tree Beer Co.
9278 Rockfish Valley HwyThis place will really surprise you! They have an amazing "meadow" spot down by the river out back, some okay beers, and pretty good eats from their food truck.
Sightseeing
A year-round resort- Wintergreen offers skiing and snow tubing in the winter, golf, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and more in the spring/summer/fall. There are a few decent restaurants at the resort, but you will likely find better prices and variety in the valley.
47 locals recommend
Wintergreen Resort
A year-round resort- Wintergreen offers skiing and snow tubing in the winter, golf, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and more in the spring/summer/fall. There are a few decent restaurants at the resort, but you will likely find better prices and variety in the valley.
Nice spot for running, biking, or even riding a horse! Great out and back flat packed gravel trail (I think it's 7 miles long?) that is not typically crowded. The trail is shaded and parallels the Piney River with some lovely water views.
24 locals recommend
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail Piney River Trail Head
3124 Patrick Henry HwyNice spot for running, biking, or even riding a horse! Great out and back flat packed gravel trail (I think it's 7 miles long?) that is not typically crowded. The trail is shaded and parallels the Piney River with some lovely water views.
Runs from May-October on Saturday mornings 7-12, super cute little market with lots of great finds!
36 locals recommend
Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative
3079 Rockfish Valley HwyRuns from May-October on Saturday mornings 7-12, super cute little market with lots of great finds!