When is the last time you spent time alone with your sweetheart? If you’re like most parents, it's probably been too long and you might be due for some couples therapy! My husband and I found ourselves with no children last weekend, and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to visit someplace new. It was important for us to choose a destination where we'd spend the majority of time outdoors, and avoid anywhere crowded. We wanted something nearby, where we could be "on vacation” within a couple of hours, and preferred to keep our travel dollars in-state as a boost to our own economy. Abingdon, VA proved to be the ideal destination that offers history, charm, and the great outdoors close by!
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We started by looking at where to stay. If you’ve been reading NRV Macaroni Kid you know I try and support local businesses where I can, and hotels are no different. The Martha Washington Inn is a historic hotel that dates back to the early 1800s! No cookie-cutter accommodations here- each of the elegant 63 rooms as well as the common areas, are filled with unique art and artifacts with much of it related to Virginia history, Martha Washington College and the suffragette movement. History and art buffs alike will enjoy browsing the corridors and will find lots of nooks that invite you to enjoy a quiet moment. The library was especially gorgeous and bibliophiles will want to plan to spend some time browsing and reading in overstuffed chairs.
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The Martha is extraordinary enough for a honeymoon yet is family-friendly. It’s walkable to shops and restaurants, however, you might not want to leave! The resort boasts ample activities for guests to enjoy, among them tennis and pickleball courts, a 19 hole mini-golf course, indoor pool, 2 -story hot tub, trampoline and playground equipment, a gym, and even a spa! As much as I enjoyed our grownup weekend, I was sorry my kids were missing out on all the fun available and just poking around the resort.
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The Martha is home to the Sisters American Grill and Joe and I were guests here for dinner and breakfast. Diners can choose from a grand dining room with multiple seating areas, or dine on the porch or in a cozy brick courtyard. We choose the courtyard and enjoyed a very private seating area which was lovely and romantic. Sisters features an award-winning wine list and a farm-to-table menu that changes seasonally and is full of local fare. Both meals were excellent, but a few selections stood out. We enjoyed an heirloom tomato platter that tasted like summer on a plate, and my filet of beef was cooked perfectly and almost melted in my mouth. Joe chose butter chicken in a rich curry sauce, which was flavorful yet not overpowering. A flourless chocolate torte was outstanding and a wine our server helped us pick was so good we purchased a second bottle to enjoy on the front porch, which is full of rocking chairs and wicker furniture and begs guests to slow down. I also enjoyed my morning coffee on the porch. Coffee, tea and homemade muffins are complimentary each morning. You need not be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the restaurant, which also caters and hosts private events.
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Abingdon is ideal for the outdoor enthusiast and is home to the Virginia Creeper Trail. This was our first time biking the trail, and I was happy to find it's true you don’t even need to pedal much of it! Even with Joe’s bum knee, he was able to enjoy the ride and the views along the trail are lovely. It connects to the AT, and welcomes bikers, hikers and horses. The area is home to a number of shuttle services that can drop you off at the top of the trail and even provide bike rentals, and you can coast your way down most of the 35-mile trail or be picked up mid-way in Damascus. The top of the trail is largely shaded and runs along a river with multiple areas to fish, swim or wade in the water. One can't help but think about the many journeys that have taken place on that same path over the years. Parts of the trail likely started as Native American footpath before its expanded use by European and early American explorers. It was home to a railroad that transported lumber, goods and passengers for 70+ years, but was never profitable and closed in 1977. You’ll still ride over 47 trestles and bridges from the railroad, and there are a variety of places to stop and grab a snack or meal, but many of these along with the bathrooms were closed due to COVID so plan accordingly.
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Insider Tip: Train enthusiasts will want to see the engine on display at the trailhead and tour the Creeper Trail Info Center! We saw some families with kids as young as 6-ish biking the trail, but they looked frustrated and I’d suggest this is best left for tweens on up.
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Another Abingdon gem we enjoyed was seeing The Wizard of Oz at Barter At The Moonlite. This is the Barter Theatre's genius solution to help keep the arts alive and the Barter Theatre Players working. They’ve adapted to a stage created at the Moonlite Drive In- reviving it in the process. The town rallied to make it happen with numerous partners and volunteers and the results are impressive. The drive-in has been restored and looks great, and guests can buy tickets online that can be scanned through your window for a completely contactless experience. I appreciated the ample volunteers directing you to your “space" that you select when you buy the ticket- no need to line up early for a “good” spot! They held signs that told you exactly what to do, made the program and everything you might want to know available online they text you when you purchase tickets and you literally need not even roll down your window! It was all so efficient and well done, from ticketing to the show itself which was well-lit, sounded great and was lots of fun to see. Next up are Beauty And The Beast and Mary Poppins: https://bartertheatre.com/
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The next stop on our visit was the William King Museum of Art. This fine arts museum offers three rotating galleries, making it a great stop to pop in whenever you're in Abingdon as it is constantly changing! Appalachia is the central theme here, and even the building is noteworthy, as it's a 100+ year old schoolhouse! Several of the classrooms are now working art studios and visitors might catch an artist at work. The museum is free to visit but accepts donations, and we were the only guests at the time of our visit.
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The SWVA Cultural Center and Marketplace is that interesting looking building off 81 that was referred to as Heartwood in the past. It has completely transformed into an outing destination that offers a look at all things Appalachia. Learn about the music, crafts, food and culture of Southwest VA in a variety of exhibits including films and performances, and browse work for sale by local artists of literally all mediums. We left with a locally written book and a felted pillow that brings a smile. Insider Tip: Shop online at https://shop.swvaculturalcenter.com. It’s like our own SWVA Etsy!
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We found the town of Abingdon to be charming and the historic district is brimming with character. We enjoyed walking downtown and looking at houses that date back hundreds of years, and there is a self-guided walking tour you can take with a map available at the Abington Visitor Center. Abingdon was named in USA Today’s Best Small Town Food Scene in 2019 and 2020, and you'll have no shortage of finding a good meal. We enjoyed brunch at The Tavern- Abdindon's oldest restaurant which dates back to 1779! You'll find outdoor seating here on two stories.
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In all, a weekend was not enough time to fit in everything we wanted to see and do, and we're already looking forward to a return visit and bringing our kids to bike the VA Creeper Trail with us. Now that I know how much there is to offer, and how close it is to us here in the New River Valley, we don't need to wait for a special event and can just enjoy a day! If you're ready to explore Abingdon, Virginia, the Abingdon Visitor Center (above) can help you plan a trip and you can learn more at www.visitabingdonvirginia.com.
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I was the guest of the Barter Theatre and Sisters American Grill for the purposes of review. All opinions are my own.
About the author: Jennifer Chasse is a New Englander who moved to Blacksburg, VA with her family in 2010. She's served as the New River Valley Macaroni Kid Publisher for the past nine which allows her to share family fun including travel & the arts and encourage her community to support local business. Read about some of her travel adventures at JenniferConnects.
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