Excuse us as we wax poetic about the county wedged between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the James River. There’s just so much packed into the (relatively) small geographic area of Nelson County! The Blue Ridge Parkway begins at Route 250 in Afton. (And there’s plenty of hiking along the Appalachian Trail.) The county’s orchards feature over 40 different varieties of apples and peaches, but that’s not the only local crop. There are nine wineries to explore, and a new beer trail, to boot. Hit the slopes (or spa) at Wintergreen, or get your history fix at the Oak Ridge Estate dating from 1802.

Pictured at right: Wintergreen Resort is perched high atop the Blue Ridge and boasts 26 slopes and trails for skiing and snowboarding. A four-season resort, Wintergreen also offers golf, 22 tennis courts, 6 swimming pools, and a full-service spa.