If you’ve been hearing that Lizzie McAlpine song everywhere lately, (you know the one “Spring Into Summer”) and it’s got you dreaming about disappearing into the mountains for a few days… yeah, we felt that too.
There’s something about this stretch of the season, where it’s right after spring but not quite full-blown summer, that just feels good in the Blue Ridge.
The mornings are still cool. The sun stays out a little longer. People start lingering on patios again. You roll the windows down more often. It’s that sweet spot where the world’s waking up, but hasn’t gotten too busy yet.
- In Afton, the vines are getting green again. Tasting rooms start to open their big barn doors, and you’ll see people with sunglasses and wine flights out on the hillside at Veritas, flying kites at Valley Road, or sharing a cider under the string lights at Bold Rock.
- In Charlottesville, the downtown mall starts to hum again — musicians in the corners, kids with ice cream, people wandering in and out of bookstores and cafés. It’s that time when locals start taking their lunch breaks outside again, and college students stick around just a little longer before heading home.
- Over in Nelson County, hikers are swapping snow gear for trail runners. The Parkway’s open, wildflowers are blooming, and the grills are starting to fire up. People float down the river. Sit by the creek. Sip something cold on a porch that looks out over a mountain that finally has color again.
You’ll see people setting up hammocks. Picking strawberries. Sneaking out of work a little early on a Friday just to get a head start on the weekend. Breweries start booking more live music. Wineries stay open a little later. It’s not quite the full swing of summer yet — and that’s the magic of it.
There’s room. Room to move. Room to breathe. Room to show up somewhere new and not feel like you’re late to the season.
And the weather? It’s the best it’s going to be. Not too hot, not too buggy. Just fresh enough to still feel new, and warm enough to leave your jacket behind.
There’s no itinerary required this time of year. Just a place to land at the end of the day, a trail or two to explore, and someone to share a drink with when the sun starts to set. If only it was apple season as well (we’re looking at you, Carter Mountain) then this would quite
It’s the kind of season that reminds you that you don’t always need big plans. Sometimes just a good spot and a little space to breathe is enough to be rejuvenating.
And okay, look… we wouldn’t be a very good vacation rental company if we didn’t at least mention that we’ve got some pretty great places to stay while you’re here. Our homes are tucked into the heart of it all, close to the wineries, trails, and local spots that make this place worth coming back to every season.
We’re small, local, and hands-on. No call centers, no corporate runaround- just real people who love where we live and want to help you love it, too. Whether you’re booking your first stay or your fifth, we’re here to make sure the house is just right, the views are what you hoped for, and the whole experience feels like the reset you’ve been needing. Explore several options on our page to find a home that fits you and the experience you want to have.
Come for the quiet, the color, the fresh air — stay for the kind of hospitality that’s harder to find these days.