There’s just something extra special about a long weekend getaway. Three nights in Nelson County offer more time to linger, to relax, to stress less. It’s the perfect little staycation for guests traveling from Washington, DC, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina and we’ve designed the best way to spend it for each season. With a long weekend getaway at our modern bed and breakfast, you’re sure to drive home happy, relaxed, and more connected with yourself, each other, and nature.
The Indigo House is located in Nelson County with easy access to the Rockfish Gap Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Wintergreen Resort, and Shenandoah National Park. While the area is very car-dependent, we find it’s time best spent with the windows down and the music up. While there’s no wrong time of year for three nights in Nelson County, you may prefer a certain season or month based on local events and attractions.
SPRING
The Indigo House in the spring bursts to life with foggy sunrises and sweeping mountain views. It’s the ideal season to explore scenic waterfalls, wander through lush trails, and unwind under starlit skies. While March still has a chance for snow and cooler temps, it really starts to look like spring in April, and luscious greenery follows in May (our rainiest month).
Local events kick off each spring. The farmer’s markets are in full production starting in May. The Monticello Wine Trail kicks off the season with many wine tasting events. Foxfield Races hosts a spring event featuring steeplechase racing, a vendor village, and wine tasting.
Things To Do:
- Waterfall and Wildflower Hikes
- Monticello Wine Week
- Foxfield Races
- Tom Tom Festival & Porchella
- Farmer’s Market Season Opens
- Horseback Ride in the Vineyards
- AT Thru Hikers
- Goat Snuggle Sessions
Itinerary
Thursday
Arrive at the Indigo House.
Stretch your legs on the Rockfish Valley Trails.
Enjoy a local’s favorite: $8 burger nights at Bold Rock.
- Return to the Indigo House for board games.
Friday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Get outside! Either walk through the Blue Ridge Tunnel, schedule a horseback ride through the vineyards, or ride your bike.
Grab lunch and wine from Veritas.
Return to the Indigo for a nap or read in the hammock.
Enjoy happy hour at Basic Necessities.
Saturday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Go for a long waterfall hike or explore Shenandoah National Park. See our seasonal trail recommendations here.
Watch the sunset at Blue Mountain Brewery with a pizza and a flight.
Sunday:
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Go shopping at Tuckahoe Antiques, Rockfish Country Store, and Greenwood Antiques.
SUMMER
As June transitions to July, it really starts to feel like summer. That’s when you can expect long, warm days with varying amounts of humidity, evening fireflies, and hazy sunrises. August is reliably warm and humid, but there’s a special energy to wine country as the vineyards start harvesting their grapes. All summer long, you can also enjoy lingering sunrises, afternoon storms, wildflowers, and a few mosquitoes.
Things To Do:
- King Family Polo on Sunday afternoons
- Rock Climbing
- Fly Fishing
- Outdoor Movie Nights at the Indigo House on Summer Saturdays
- Free Concert Fridays at Ting Pavilion
- Grape Harvest Season
- Veritas and Waynesboro’s Summer Concert Series
Itinerary
Friday
- Arrive at the Indigo House.
Grab dinner from roadside BBQ joints like Paulie’s Pig Out or The Blue Ridge Pig.
Drive over to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a sunset hike at Humpback Rocks or Dripping Rock South.
Saturday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Explore the Nelson County Farmer’s Market.
- Enjoy a picnic lunch with takeout from Greenwood Grocery or Batesville Market.
Spend the afternoon exploring tasting rooms. Try the hard cider or distilled spirits at Bold Rock; they have creek access perfect for your pup.
Return to the Indigo House for a free outdoor movie night.
Sunday:
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Pop over to King Family’s free polo matches, where there’s tailgating, food trucks, and an endless supply of the best rosé.
Take an evening creekside stroll on the Camille Trail and grab dinner and drinks from Three Notch’d or Blue Mountain Brewery.
Monday:
- Breakfast at the Indigo House before check out.
- Go to Chiles U-Pick farm for summer blackberries, peaches, or blueberries.
AUTUMN
Temperatures start to cool down in September and stay comfortable through October’s leaf changing. Fall is our peak season, so be prepared for busier parking lots and crowded trailheads. This time of year, we love wooded trails with overlooks to see the foliage.
If you want to avoid the crowds and have the amber sunrises to yourself, plan your visit for a weekday.
Things To Do:
- Queen City Magic (Harry Potter-inspired weekend in Staunton)
- Oktoberfest
- Blue Ridge Corn Maze
- Fall Festivals
- Leaf Peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway or via a hot air balloon
- Winery Harvest Dinners
Itinerary
Thursday
Arrive at the Indigo House.
Grab a pizza to go from Blue Mountain Brewery. Drive over to Blue Ridge Parkway overlook to watch the sunset while eating your pizza!
Friday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Grab lunch to go from Greenwood Grocery.
Go hiking in Shenandoah National Park or off the Blue Ridge Parkway. See our seasonal trail recommendations here.
Return to the Indigo House for showers and then enjoy a four-course meal with wine pairing from the Farmhouse at Veritas.
Saturday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Enjoy some of the many fall festivals, corn mazes, and outdoor events. Go apple picking.
Grab dinner at a brewery and enjoy live music.
Sunday:
- Sunrise hike on Humpback Rocks.
- Breakfast at the Indigo House before checkout.
- Go for a short hike and grab apple cider doughnuts for the drive home.
WINTER
Because the leaves have fallen by Thanksgiving, “stick season” runs from December through early April. Despite the appearance of winter, we’re still known to have some warmish days in December, March, and April. It seems January, February, and March are more likely to bring unpredictable snow, sleet, or an afternoon of flurries.
Winter can be a harder time to travel with your dog since the nights cool down so quickly, making outdoor dining chilly.
Things To Do:
- Ski and Snow Tubing Season at Wintergreen
- Scenic Train Ride
- Valentine’s Day Getaway at the Indigo House
- The Farmer’s Market at IX Park
- Winter Wander Trail at Boars Head
- Virginia Festival of the Book (March)
- Charlottesville Ten-Miler
Itinerary
Friday
Arrive at the Indigo House.
Grab dinner from Brewing Tree (pet-friendly indoor dining).
Saturday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Grab another cup of coffee and read by the fire.
Spend the afternoon shopping in one of our nearby towns like Crozet (20 mins away), Charlottesville (30 mins away), or Staunton (30 mins away). Visit the largest antiques store on the East Coast in Verona (30 mins away).
Grab BBQ takeout for dinner to eat by the fire at the Indigo.
Sunday
Breakfast at the Indigo House.
Explore the Rockfish Valley Trails or go snow tubing at Wintergreen.
Grab lunch at Devil’s Backbone.
Spend the afternoon exploring the tasting rooms. Many allow dogs inside!
Grab a pet-friendly, indoor dinner at Pro Re Nada. If you don’t have a dog, indulge at the Farmhouse at Veritas for their multi-course, wine-paired dinner.
Monday:
- Breakfast at the Indigo before check out.
- Grab a cup of coffee to go from Beltie’s Farm Cafe or Trager Brothers coffee shop.
Sometimes, a regular weekend just isn’t enough time to explore! Drop a comment below with your favorite activity to do in Nelson County.