Phil & Christina's Guidebook
Activities
This former railway turned biking/hiking trail is a beautiful, virtually peddle-free 17- to 34-mile ride through national forest and over rushing whitewater. An absolute must do activity while in the area! See our Sundog Outfitters entry for bike rentals and shuttle service. Reservations recommended.
https://www.vacreepertrail.org/
https://vacreepertrail.com/
http://www.sundogoutfitter.com/
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Virginia Creeper Trail
331 Douglas DriveThis former railway turned biking/hiking trail is a beautiful, virtually peddle-free 17- to 34-mile ride through national forest and over rushing whitewater. An absolute must do activity while in the area! See our Sundog Outfitters entry for bike rentals and shuttle service. Reservations recommended.
https://www.vacreepertrail.org/
https://vacreepertrail.com/
http://www.sundogoutfitter.com/
Our favorite Virginia Creeper Trail bicycle rental and shuttle service.
http://www.sundogoutfitter.com/
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
SunDog Outfitter
331 Douglas DrOur favorite Virginia Creeper Trail bicycle rental and shuttle service.
http://www.sundogoutfitter.com/
One of a kind hiking destination. A literal natural labyrinth of vertical stone walls. Truly a geologic wonder! The views from the mountaintop and the rhododendron tunnels along the trail are icing on the cake.
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/landmarks/a-guide-to-the-great-channels-a-one-of-a-kind-maze-of-boulders-and-crevices-in-southwest-virginia
https://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/GreatChannels/
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Channels
One of a kind hiking destination. A literal natural labyrinth of vertical stone walls. Truly a geologic wonder! The views from the mountaintop and the rhododendron tunnels along the trail are icing on the cake.
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/landmarks/a-guide-to-the-great-channels-a-one-of-a-kind-maze-of-boulders-and-crevices-in-southwest-virginia
https://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/GreatChannels/
Uniquely beautiful water features and geology. Please scroll through the pictures; the actual Devil's Bathtub is not featured in the first few photos. A great hiking destination during dryer weather. Careful, there are 13 stream crossings on this route; some are slippery! We don't recommend attempting this hike after significant rainfall.
https://www.virginia.org/listing/devils-bathtub-%26-waterfall/7792/
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Devil's Bathtub
Devils Fork Loop TrailUniquely beautiful water features and geology. Please scroll through the pictures; the actual Devil's Bathtub is not featured in the first few photos. A great hiking destination during dryer weather. Careful, there are 13 stream crossings on this route; some are slippery! We don't recommend attempting this hike after significant rainfall.
https://www.virginia.org/listing/devils-bathtub-%26-waterfall/7792/
Well defined trails through gorgeous craggy balds and large, climbable rock formations. Incredible long-range mountain views and wild miniature horses. Why would you miss this natural treasure?!
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/landmarks/an-insiders-guide-to-grayson-highlands-state-park-virginias-land-of-high-peaks-grassy-balds-and-wild-ponies
143 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Grayson Highlands
829 Grayson Highland LaneWell defined trails through gorgeous craggy balds and large, climbable rock formations. Incredible long-range mountain views and wild miniature horses. Why would you miss this natural treasure?!
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/landmarks/an-insiders-guide-to-grayson-highlands-state-park-virginias-land-of-high-peaks-grassy-balds-and-wild-ponies
Great fly fishing shop and guide service. Bonus: It's very conveniently located and set in a cozy historic log cabin.
Note: Please contact me for other fly fishing tips and local guide services. -Phil
https://vcflyshop.com/
Virginia Creeper Fly-Fishing
16501 Jeb Stuart HwyGreat fly fishing shop and guide service. Bonus: It's very conveniently located and set in a cozy historic log cabin.
Note: Please contact me for other fly fishing tips and local guide services. -Phil
https://vcflyshop.com/
Okay, so we can't recommend this one yet, because we haven't tried them out. But, they get great reviews and claim to offer the longest, fastest, highest zip lines in Virginia! They also offer river tubing. We think they deserve a mention here. If you check out Hungry Mother Adventures, please let us know what you think.
https://hungrymotheroutdooradventures.com/
Hungry Mother Adventures
760 Walkers Creek RoadOkay, so we can't recommend this one yet, because we haven't tried them out. But, they get great reviews and claim to offer the longest, fastest, highest zip lines in Virginia! They also offer river tubing. We think they deserve a mention here. If you check out Hungry Mother Adventures, please let us know what you think.
https://hungrymotheroutdooradventures.com/
Established in 1933 and located in a building constructed in 1829, Barter Theatre is designated as the Virginia State Theater. Its Depression-era concept of trading farm goods for entertainment provides for interesting reading, if you care to dive in online.
Many well-known stars have performed in this beautifully maintained building. Examples include...
Ned Beatty
Will Bingham
Ernest Borgnine
James Burrows
Gary Collins
Hume Cronyn
Frances Fisher
Wayne Knight
Larry Linville
Patricia Neal
Gregory Peck
John Spencer
Elizabeth Wilson
Our experience is that the shows are very well produced, directed, and performed. A great destination or beginning/ending to an outing in downtown Abingdon. Extra credit: The theatre has a wine and draft beer bar.
https://bartertheatre.com/
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Teatro Barter
127 W Main StEstablished in 1933 and located in a building constructed in 1829, Barter Theatre is designated as the Virginia State Theater. Its Depression-era concept of trading farm goods for entertainment provides for interesting reading, if you care to dive in online.
Many well-known stars have performed in this beautifully maintained building. Examples include...
Ned Beatty
Will Bingham
Ernest Borgnine
James Burrows
Gary Collins
Hume Cronyn
Frances Fisher
Wayne Knight
Larry Linville
Patricia Neal
Gregory Peck
John Spencer
Elizabeth Wilson
Our experience is that the shows are very well produced, directed, and performed. A great destination or beginning/ending to an outing in downtown Abingdon. Extra credit: The theatre has a wine and draft beer bar.
https://bartertheatre.com/
A historic railroad depot in downtown Abingdon turned arts studios and galleries, this is a must do for anyone who appreciates local arts and crafts. Featuring pottery, painting, incredible 3D woven tapestries (very unique!), jewelry, etc., artists are usually around to tell their stories and to discuss their work and processes. I challenge you to leave without a new piece of art in your hands!
https://www.abingdonartsdepot.org/
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arts Depot
314 Depot Square SWA historic railroad depot in downtown Abingdon turned arts studios and galleries, this is a must do for anyone who appreciates local arts and crafts. Featuring pottery, painting, incredible 3D woven tapestries (very unique!), jewelry, etc., artists are usually around to tell their stories and to discuss their work and processes. I challenge you to leave without a new piece of art in your hands!
https://www.abingdonartsdepot.org/
Sightseeing
(Note: Please search Abingdon, Virginia online. The photos via this link don't represent the town at all.)
Charming historic downtown. Home to the longest continually operating theater in the US, the Barter Theater. Check out The Tavern for Sunday brunch. Built in 1779 and also a restaurant, it's the oldest bar in Virginia, 8th oldest in the US. Eat at any of the many restaurants that helped Abingdon get the USA Today designation of Best Small Town Food Scene in the US, currently two years running. We highly recommend The Girl and the Raven. For great BBQ (pork shoulder or brisket) and live music, try BoneFire Smokehouse. Enjoy the antique stores; coffee, tea and dessert shops; and other specialty shops along Main Street.
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Abingdon
(Note: Please search Abingdon, Virginia online. The photos via this link don't represent the town at all.)
Charming historic downtown. Home to the longest continually operating theater in the US, the Barter Theater. Check out The Tavern for Sunday brunch. Built in 1779 and also a restaurant, it's the oldest bar in Virginia, 8th oldest in the US. Eat at any of the many restaurants that helped Abingdon get the USA Today designation of Best Small Town Food Scene in the US, currently two years running. We highly recommend The Girl and the Raven. For great BBQ (pork shoulder or brisket) and live music, try BoneFire Smokehouse. Enjoy the antique stores; coffee, tea and dessert shops; and other specialty shops along Main Street.
https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/
"Trailtown USA". A quaint and charming stopover town along the Appalachian Trail. Home to the famous Virginia Creeper Trail and its many bike rental and shuttle services. Plenty of hiking trails in and around the town.
http://www.visitdamascus.org/
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Damascus
"Trailtown USA". A quaint and charming stopover town along the Appalachian Trail. Home to the famous Virginia Creeper Trail and its many bike rental and shuttle services. Plenty of hiking trails in and around the town.
http://www.visitdamascus.org/
Beautiful park with a bridge connecting its large river island to the rest of its nice network of trails. Breathtaking views of the lake, mountains, and river from atop the huge earthen dam. The beginning of the South Holston River tail waters and its world-class brown trout fishing!
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
South Holston Dam
Beautiful park with a bridge connecting its large river island to the rest of its nice network of trails. Breathtaking views of the lake, mountains, and river from atop the huge earthen dam. The beginning of the South Holston River tail waters and its world-class brown trout fishing!
Food Scene
Trust us - and the hundreds of other patrons responsible for their 4.9-star rating - the relatively new The Girl and the Raven already offers one of Abingdon's best dining experiences! Welcoming and attentive ownership and staff round out the mouthwatering flavors. Great for breakfast or lunch and for dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays. Ample indoor seating is thoughtfully separated into cozy dining rooms, and the large deck accommodates plenty of outdoor tables. And yes, The Girl and the Raven has a full-service bar.
https://thegirlandtheravencafe.com/
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Girl & The Raven
380 E Main StTrust us - and the hundreds of other patrons responsible for their 4.9-star rating - the relatively new The Girl and the Raven already offers one of Abingdon's best dining experiences! Welcoming and attentive ownership and staff round out the mouthwatering flavors. Great for breakfast or lunch and for dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays. Ample indoor seating is thoughtfully separated into cozy dining rooms, and the large deck accommodates plenty of outdoor tables. And yes, The Girl and the Raven has a full-service bar.
https://thegirlandtheravencafe.com/
Set in a 1779 building, The Tavern is the oldest bar in Virginia and the 8th oldest in the US. It's also a wonderful restaurant. The building remains true-to-its-history, inside and out. We recommend their brunch, which is reasonably priced. Their dinners are delicious, but all that flavor comes with a high price tag!
https://abingdontavern.net/
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Tavern
222 E Main StSet in a 1779 building, The Tavern is the oldest bar in Virginia and the 8th oldest in the US. It's also a wonderful restaurant. The building remains true-to-its-history, inside and out. We recommend their brunch, which is reasonably priced. Their dinners are delicious, but all that flavor comes with a high price tag!
https://abingdontavern.net/
Great BBQ (pork shoulder and brisket) and live music Thursdays through Saturdays. Bone Fire's set in a historic building in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Welcoming owners and staff.
https://www.thebonefiresmokehouse.com/
(Update: A recent guest warned us of a less-than-expected food experience at Bone Fire. We maintain that their food has been very good in the past, but want to pass this along until we're able to try them out since reopening after a pandemic-related shut down and concurrent remodel.)
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bonefire Smokehouse BBQ
260 W Main StGreat BBQ (pork shoulder and brisket) and live music Thursdays through Saturdays. Bone Fire's set in a historic building in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Welcoming owners and staff.
https://www.thebonefiresmokehouse.com/
(Update: A recent guest warned us of a less-than-expected food experience at Bone Fire. We maintain that their food has been very good in the past, but want to pass this along until we're able to try them out since reopening after a pandemic-related shut down and concurrent remodel.)
This is our Abingdon answer to "Cheers". Good quality farm-to-table food in a quaint downtown Abingdon setting. Good live music on Friday nights. And yes, the staff (save any newcomers) know our names ;-)
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
White Birch Food and Juice
170 E Main StThis is our Abingdon answer to "Cheers". Good quality farm-to-table food in a quaint downtown Abingdon setting. Good live music on Friday nights. And yes, the staff (save any newcomers) know our names ;-)
Great, high-quality food in a thoughtfully decorated full-service restaurant. Set in a historic building in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Nice front patio seating available.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rain Restaurant
283 E Main StGreat, high-quality food in a thoughtfully decorated full-service restaurant. Set in a historic building in beautiful downtown Abingdon. Nice front patio seating available.