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.
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Lovingston Cafe
165 Front StBest 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.
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Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop RdPopular 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.
Mountain Mama's
632 Front StLocal 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.
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El Mariachi Mexican Food
37 Tanbark PlazaCrowd-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.
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Chicken Coop Restaurant
40 Front StClassic, 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.
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Vito's Lovingston
8181 Thomas Nelson HwyClassic 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.
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Subway
65 Callohill DrTried and true. In a plaza with grocery store Food Lion, Chen's chinese, and McDonald's. Wheelchair accesible.
McDonald's
44 Callohill DrMost popular restaurant in the world. No outdoor seating. Wheelchair accessible.
Typical Chinese-American fare. Indoor seating only. Wheelchair accesible.
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Chen's
73 Callohill DrTypical 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.
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Dr. Ho's Humble Pie
4916 Plank RdThe 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.
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Basic Necessities
2226 Rockfish Valley HwyDarling 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.
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Blue Ridge Pig
2198 Rockfish Valley HwyClassic barbecue, no twist. A go-to with incredible decor. Don't miss it. Indoor and outdoor seating.
TajMahal Kitchen Afton
190 Rockfish School LaneA taste of India, with dishes to go.
Thin crust pizza and hand-scooped ice cream. Fast, casual, friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
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Chirios Pizza
2777 Rockfish Valley HwyThin crust pizza and hand-scooped ice cream. Fast, casual, friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
Paulie's Pig Out
7376 Rockfish Valley HwyBBQ 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.
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Stoney Creek Bar & Grill
1354 Stoney Creek WGreat 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.
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Blue Mountain Barrel House
495 Cooperative WayBeautiful 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.
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Virginia Distillery Co.
299 Eades LnGreat 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.
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Trager Brothers Coffee Roasters
190 Rockfish School LnInfamous 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.
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Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub
200 Mosbys RunHigh-end local brewery with events, pop-ups, indoor and outdoor seating. Wheelchair accesible.
Bold Rock Hard Cider
1020 Rockfish Valley HwyHard cider and a variety of classic American dishes.
Local microbrewery with local beef burgers, classic American food and live music.
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Wild Wolf Brewing Company
2461 Rockfish Valley HwyLocal 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.
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Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative
3079 Rockfish Valley HwyOur 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
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LOCKN' Festival
1510 Diggs Mountain RdA 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 RdSite 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.
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Veritas Vineyards and Winery
151 Veritas LnStunning 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.
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Lovingston Winery
885 Freshwater Cove LnAward winning wines off of the main highway, with guided tours and weekend events.
Local award-winning wines and stunning view of the Blue Ridge.
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Delfosse Vineyards & Winery
500 DelFosse Winery LnLocal 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.
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Humpback Rocks
Blue Ridge ParkwayShort 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.
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Crabtree Falls
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.
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Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
Blue Ridge Tunnel TrailFascinating 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 TrailGreat 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.
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Spy Rock
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.
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Fortune's Cove Preserve
Fortune's Cove LaneShort, 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!
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James River
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
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Blue Ridge Parkway North Entrance
Blue Ridge Parkway22 (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 RoadFestivals 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