Founded in 1778 as a civilized outpost on The Great Road to the West, Abingdon, Virginia, lies between the soaring peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Great Appalachian Valley just northwest of the Tennessee-Virginia border. It’s just off I-81, minutes north of Bristol, Tennessee, and two hours northeast of Asheville, North Carolina.
With its enthusiasm for historic preservation and passion for the contemporary, Abingdon is an arts, culture and dining destination; a walkable, bike-friendly and drivable town that’s easy to love. Tree-lined brick sidewalks in the National Register Historic District lead to preserved/re-purposed Victorian and Federal architecture full of art galleries, working artist studios, one of the oldest craft cooperatives in the nation, antique stores, unique shops and amazing restaurants.
Choose from cabins and cottages on the Virginia Creeper Trail, historic B&Bs or the Historic Hotels of America, AAA Four-Diamond Martha Washington Inn and Spa, with its romantic cozy indoor and outdoor nooks, intimate bar area and fine dining. The Martha was built in 1832 and still showcases the library, photos and furnishings from incarnations as a family home and women’s school. Guests are immersed in elegance and pampering: a glass of wine on the expansive porch, by a cozy fire or in the atrium-enclosed heated saltwater pool. The Spa at the Martha has been voted one of Virginia’s Top 10 Resort Spas. Full-service specialty spa treatments include couples’ massages. Pop the question or gaze into each other’s eyes in the decorated gazebo on the lawn. The LOVE letters nearby make for a great romantic photo opportunity.
Abingdon has been named “Best Small Town Food Scene in the Country” multiple years in a row by USA Today’s 10 Best. Any town boasting more than 30 independently owned restaurants is notable, but consider that Abingdon, with a population of 8,000, has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, New York or New Orleans. Choose from Traditional Southern to New South, farm-to-table to Southern country and BBQ, international cuisine and plenty of options for all tastes and budgets.
Romantic dining choices abound. Intimate historic ambiance, soft lighting and an exquisite little bar are found at Abingdon’s oldest building, The Tavern, serving patrons since 1779 as the last colonial outpost on the Great Road to the frontier. The menu boasts traditional German fare, such as Kassler Rippchen and Wienerschnitzel, along with signature dishes featuring steak, chicken and trout. Many original furnishings remain, along with the ghosts of dignitaries and ordinaries. Delight in an original cocktail and the incredible view overlooking historic Abingdon and the Blue Ridge Mountains at The Rooftop at Summers Roof and Cellar. Then journey down to The Cellar for a masterfully crafted dining experience with regionally sourced and homegrown ingredients. Their shareable menu changes with the season and includes offerings that range from brick fired bread and preserved food offerings to fresh seafood and dry-aged cuts of meat.
Toasts to Love Wolf Hills Brewing is a casual art and entertainment hub serving more than a dozen craft beers along with live music. Sweetbay Brewing Company creates year-round and seasonal brews inspired by a sense of place. The Spring House is home to a collective of craft beverage makers: Wolf Hills Coffee; Tumbling Creek Cider Company and Appalachian Teas & Botanicals, all offering specially curated beverage menus. Worth a short drive for award-winning wines, Abingdon Vineyards is tucked into some of the most beautiful countryside in Southwest Virginia on the creek leading to Holston Lake.
Take in a romantic comedy or drama at the 1930s-era Barter Theatre. Born from the determined, “show must go on” ingenuity of the Great Depression, the “State Theatre of Virginia” literally traded produce and ham for Hamlet and Broadway hits; survived, thrived, and hosts world-class plays. This opulent, red-velvet and gold jewel-box gives an excuse to dress up a little but is not required. www.VisitAbingdonVirginia.com
Journalists: For more stories for every season, as well as downloadable photos go to https://www.travelmediapressroom.com/virginia/abingdon-virginia/.