Guidebook for Nelson County

Deborah
Guidebook for Nelson County

Restaurants + Dining

From macro burgers to microbreweries, find the nosh to nourish your taste buds while on retreat in the beautiful Blue Ridge! Selections are from diverse cuisines, for a range of appetites and dietary restrictions.
Best restaurant in Lovingston, according to us ;) Salads, sandwiches, prime rib some evenings. Options for outdoor patio dining, and vegetarian friendly. Wheelchair accessible; booths and tables.
13 locals recommend
Lovingston Cafe
165 Front St
13 locals recommend
Best restaurant in Lovingston, according to us ;) Salads, sandwiches, prime rib some evenings. Options for outdoor patio dining, and vegetarian friendly. Wheelchair accessible; booths and tables.
Popular local stop with live music, craft beer, pizza, burgers, and salads. Vegetarian friendly. No reservations. Wheelchair accessible via ramp; booths, tables, indoor and outdoor seating and a bar.
358 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop Rd
358 locals recommend
Popular local stop with live music, craft beer, pizza, burgers, and salads. Vegetarian friendly. No reservations. Wheelchair accessible via ramp; booths, tables, indoor and outdoor seating and a bar.
Local hub with steaks and seafood.
12 locals recommend
Mountain Mama's
632 Front St
12 locals recommend
Local hub with steaks and seafood.
Crowd-pleasing Mexican-American food, with a range of popular staples: tacos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas, margaritas and more. Booths and tables; no outdoor seating. Wheelchair access via ramp.
16 locals recommend
El Mariachi Mexican Food
37 Tanbark Plaza
16 locals recommend
Crowd-pleasing Mexican-American food, with a range of popular staples: tacos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas, margaritas and more. Booths and tables; no outdoor seating. Wheelchair access via ramp.
Classic, delicious fried chicken stop-in attached to a gas station. Small tables; best for carry-out or picnics. Not wheelchair accesible.
8 locals recommend
Chicken Coop Restaurant
40 Front St
8 locals recommend
Classic, delicious fried chicken stop-in attached to a gas station. Small tables; best for carry-out or picnics. Not wheelchair accesible.
Classic American Italian food: spaghetti, garlic bread, and pizza. Tables; no outdoor seating.
25 locals recommend
Vito's Lovingston
8181 Thomas Nelson Hwy
25 locals recommend
Classic American Italian food: spaghetti, garlic bread, and pizza. Tables; no outdoor seating.
Tried and true. In a plaza with grocery store Food Lion, Chen's chinese, and McDonald's. Wheelchair accesible.
6 locals recommend
Subway
65 Callohill Dr
6 locals recommend
Tried and true. In a plaza with grocery store Food Lion, Chen's chinese, and McDonald's. Wheelchair accesible.
Most popular restaurant in the world. No outdoor seating. Wheelchair accessible.
McDonald's
44 Callohill Dr
Most popular restaurant in the world. No outdoor seating. Wheelchair accessible.
Typical Chinese-American fare. Indoor seating only. Wheelchair accesible.
9 locals recommend
Chen's
73 Callohill Dr
9 locals recommend
Typical Chinese-American fare. Indoor seating only. Wheelchair accesible.
The one and only. Fabulous pizza, salads, and a diversity of vegan and vegetarian-friendly entrées from curry to stew. Vegan pizza! Live music on weekends, local beer served. No outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
65 locals recommend
Dr. Ho's Humble Pie
4916 Plank Rd
65 locals recommend
The one and only. Fabulous pizza, salads, and a diversity of vegan and vegetarian-friendly entrées from curry to stew. Vegan pizza! Live music on weekends, local beer served. No outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
Darling French-style café with amazing pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches. Delightful. Not wheelchair accesible. Indoor and outdoor seating.
103 locals recommend
Basic Necessities
2226 Rockfish Valley Hwy
103 locals recommend
Darling French-style café with amazing pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches. Delightful. Not wheelchair accesible. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Classic barbecue, no twist. A go-to with incredible decor. Don't miss it. Indoor and outdoor seating.
59 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Pig
2198 Rockfish Valley Hwy
59 locals recommend
Classic barbecue, no twist. A go-to with incredible decor. Don't miss it. Indoor and outdoor seating.
A taste of India, with dishes to go.
TajMahal Kitchen Afton
190 Rockfish School Lane
A taste of India, with dishes to go.
Thin crust pizza and hand-scooped ice cream. Fast, casual, friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
36 locals recommend
Chirios Pizza
2777 Rockfish Valley Hwy
36 locals recommend
Thin crust pizza and hand-scooped ice cream. Fast, casual, friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
BBQ and ribs. Authentic, messy, delicious.
42 locals recommend
Paulie's Pig Out
7376 Rockfish Valley Hwy
42 locals recommend
BBQ and ribs. Authentic, messy, delicious.
Great place for lunch staples: BLT, burgers, grilled cheese, soups and salads. Perfect pit stop after 9 or 18 holes at the adjacent golf course. Beautiful view off the patio.
15 locals recommend
Stoney Creek Bar & Grill
1354 Stoney Creek W
15 locals recommend
Great place for lunch staples: BLT, burgers, grilled cheese, soups and salads. Perfect pit stop after 9 or 18 holes at the adjacent golf course. Beautiful view off the patio.

Drinks & Nightlife

Beautiful outdoor views. Music many weekends . Now has indoor and outdoor seating and barbecue, tacos, etc. Fire pit. Some weekends you can help plant/harvest hops. Wheelchair accesible.
43 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Barrel House
495 Cooperative Way
43 locals recommend
Beautiful outdoor views. Music many weekends . Now has indoor and outdoor seating and barbecue, tacos, etc. Fire pit. Some weekends you can help plant/harvest hops. Wheelchair accesible.
Great drinks with lovely patio for relaxing outside or on cooler days inside by the fire. Take a tour if time permits.
38 locals recommend
Virginia Distillery Co.
299 Eades Ln
38 locals recommend
Great drinks with lovely patio for relaxing outside or on cooler days inside by the fire. Take a tour if time permits.
Infamous local roastery, hidden in plain sight. Outdoor seating with a stunning view - or grab n' go. Wheelchair accesible.
38 locals recommend
Trager Brothers Coffee Roasters
190 Rockfish School Ln
38 locals recommend
Infamous local roastery, hidden in plain sight. Outdoor seating with a stunning view - or grab n' go. Wheelchair accesible.
High-end local brewery with events, pop-ups, indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
326 locals recommend
Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub
200 Mosbys Run
326 locals recommend
High-end local brewery with events, pop-ups, indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
Hard cider and a variety of classic American dishes.
251 locals recommend
Bold Rock Hard Cider
1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy
251 locals recommend
Hard cider and a variety of classic American dishes.
Local microbrewery with local beef burgers, classic American food and live music.
127 locals recommend
Wild Wolf Brewing Company
2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy
127 locals recommend
Local microbrewery with local beef burgers, classic American food and live music.

Seasonal Events

Our amazing local market features the typical fresh herbs and veggies, as well as art by local crafters and artisans, live bluegrass music, Amish baked goods, local honey... and, a great place to go dogwatching. Wheelchair accesible on dirt ground that may get muddy.
36 locals recommend
Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative
3079 Rockfish Valley Hwy
36 locals recommend
Our amazing local market features the typical fresh herbs and veggies, as well as art by local crafters and artisans, live bluegrass music, Amish baked goods, local honey... and, a great place to go dogwatching. Wheelchair accesible on dirt ground that may get muddy.
A seasonal music festival. Check out their website for 2021 lineup and COVID plan. https://www.locknfestival.com
8 locals recommend
LOCKN' Festival
1510 Diggs Mountain Rd
8 locals recommend
A seasonal music festival. Check out their website for 2021 lineup and COVID plan. https://www.locknfestival.com
Site of the annual Festy Experience, a local music festival. For more info, visit https://www.nelsoncounty-va.gov/Organization/the-festy-experience/
Infinity Downs Farm
1500 Diggs Mountain Rd
Site of the annual Festy Experience, a local music festival. For more info, visit https://www.nelsoncounty-va.gov/Organization/the-festy-experience/

Vineyards

Stunning destination for events and weddings, as well as an upscale dining room for meals and wine tastings.
262 locals recommend
Veritas Vineyards and Winery
151 Veritas Ln
262 locals recommend
Stunning destination for events and weddings, as well as an upscale dining room for meals and wine tastings.
Award winning wines off of the main highway, with guided tours and weekend events.
19 locals recommend
Lovingston Winery
885 Freshwater Cove Ln
19 locals recommend
Award winning wines off of the main highway, with guided tours and weekend events.
Local award-winning wines and stunning view of the Blue Ridge.
44 locals recommend
Delfosse Vineyards & Winery
500 DelFosse Winery Ln
44 locals recommend
Local award-winning wines and stunning view of the Blue Ridge.

Hiking

Short but very steep hike with stunning wraparound views of the Blue Ridge. Beginner-intermediate.
203 locals recommend
Humpback Rocks
Blue Ridge Parkway
203 locals recommend
Short but very steep hike with stunning wraparound views of the Blue Ridge. Beginner-intermediate.
Popular local hike with a paved walkup. The first of several overlooks is wheelchair accessible, but please be aware that the paved trail can be slick with mist or dew. Stunning view of the waterfall. Crosses over the Appalachian Trail at the top.
212 locals recommend
Crabtree Falls
212 locals recommend
Popular local hike with a paved walkup. The first of several overlooks is wheelchair accessible, but please be aware that the paved trail can be slick with mist or dew. Stunning view of the waterfall. Crosses over the Appalachian Trail at the top.
Fascinating historical re-opening of a pre-modern era railway tunnel passing through the Blue Ridge Mountain. Cyclist and wheelchair-friendly path.
46 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
46 locals recommend
Fascinating historical re-opening of a pre-modern era railway tunnel passing through the Blue Ridge Mountain. Cyclist and wheelchair-friendly path.
Great flat local hike that is friendly to cyclists, wheelchairs, dogs on a leash, children and aging folks. Beautiful walk or ride along the Piney River. Beginner level.
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
Great flat local hike that is friendly to cyclists, wheelchairs, dogs on a leash, children and aging folks. Beautiful walk or ride along the Piney River. Beginner level.
Challenging hike with rewarding 360-degree view at the top. Spots for overnight camping. Overlaps with the Appalachian Trail. Not wheelchair accessible. Intermediate-advanced level. Download or print a map before you go, likely the summit and most of the trail is out of cell service range.
26 locals recommend
Spy Rock
26 locals recommend
Challenging hike with rewarding 360-degree view at the top. Spots for overnight camping. Overlaps with the Appalachian Trail. Not wheelchair accessible. Intermediate-advanced level. Download or print a map before you go, likely the summit and most of the trail is out of cell service range.
Short, medium or long loop around the Cove. Steep beginning leads to intermediate level hike - or advanced if you take the full loop. Stunning views along the way.
12 locals recommend
Fortune's Cove Preserve
Fortune's Cove Lane
12 locals recommend
Short, medium or long loop around the Cove. Steep beginning leads to intermediate level hike - or advanced if you take the full loop. Stunning views along the way.

Fishing

Upper and Middle James River cross through Nelson County. Fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass). Please visit https://dwr.virginia.gov for seasonal rules and regulations about fishing before casting out!
35 locals recommend
James River
35 locals recommend
Upper and Middle James River cross through Nelson County. Fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass). Please visit https://dwr.virginia.gov for seasonal rules and regulations about fishing before casting out!
The Rockfish River is a beautiful location for fishing, swimming, catching some sun and enjoying the sound of the water passing by. Please protect our natural spaces and pack out what you pack in. Check https://dwr.virginia.gov for fishing regulations.
Rockfish River
The Rockfish River is a beautiful location for fishing, swimming, catching some sun and enjoying the sound of the water passing by. Please protect our natural spaces and pack out what you pack in. Check https://dwr.virginia.gov for fishing regulations.

Cycling

22 (road bike) or 40 (mountain bike) mile rides with stunning views of the Blue Ridge. Loop maps available at https://www.nelsoncounty.com/outdoor-adventures/biking/#tab-7e2abc33b1e2b410ed4
177 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway North Entrance
Blue Ridge Parkway
177 locals recommend
22 (road bike) or 40 (mountain bike) mile rides with stunning views of the Blue Ridge. Loop maps available at https://www.nelsoncounty.com/outdoor-adventures/biking/#tab-7e2abc33b1e2b410ed4
Festivals and events, like the annual LOCKN music festival, take place on this historic estate. There is 30-mile road bike loop that traverses the valley property. Find the map at https://www.nelsoncounty.com/outdoor-adventures/biking/#tab-7e2abc33b1e2b410ed4
OAK RIDGE
544 Oak Ridge Road
Festivals and events, like the annual LOCKN music festival, take place on this historic estate. There is 30-mile road bike loop that traverses the valley property. Find the map at https://www.nelsoncounty.com/outdoor-adventures/biking/#tab-7e2abc33b1e2b410ed4