Top: Martha Washington Inn, Middle: Town House, Bottom: Barter Theater
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day or for a memorable weekend trip with good friends, consider driving to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to Abingdon, Virginia. Located just five hours from Atlanta, Abingdon is a quaint old town known for its history, theater, outdoor activities, beautiful countryside and its vacation-friendly pace.
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Lodging
The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa, a women’s college-turned-Civil War hospital-turned-inn, is Abingdon’s crown jewel, featuring in-room fireplaces, plush bedding and oriental rugs on hardwoods. Its 51 rooms vary in size and amenities, but each come with a high standard of service and a luxurious aim. The hotel’s recently built spa offers a full menu of services for both men and women, including the “Dapper Chap” facial, designed to counteract skin irritants from shaving and athletic activities.
If you’re looking for a more intimate lodging experience, several bed & breakfasts have also made names for themselves in Abingdon. The White Birches Inn has ranked #1 in Inn Traveler Magazine’s “Most Affordable Luxury” category two years in a row, and the Inn on Town Creek’s gardens alone make a great place for a reflective stroll. The breakfasts at these B&Bs are also of special note, as are the food and the more affordable rooms at The Victoria & Albert Inn.
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Dining
The New York Times put this area of Virginia on the map last fall when it featured a little upstart of a restaurant in Chilhowie, Virginia, about twenty minutes from Abingdon. Worth the short interstate drive, the Town House has made a name for itself in impressive culinary circles, silencing the myth that small town Southern food is simplistic, overly-greasy and unsophisticated, and surprising locals with new flavors and artful presentation. The Grill’s refurbished dining room is a work of art and well worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
If you’re hoping to catch a show at the theater in Abingdon, or would prefer to walk to dinner, we recommend The Tavern. In a building whose cornerstone was laid in 1779, The Tavern’s sloped floors, low ceilings, great food and extensive wine list make for a memorable experience, and the restaurant’s lively German owner, Max, is likely to stop by your table to make sure everything is to your liking.
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Entertainment
The Barter Theater, the “State Theater of Virginia” and one of the longest-running theaters in the U.S., has helped many young actors get their starts, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Kevin Spacey. Opened in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, the Barter was so named because patrons often traded meats, fruits and vegetables for the actors’ performances; the original ticket price was 40 cents, or the equivalent in goods. Today, the theater produces a number of musicals, dramas and comedies with top-notch actors in the lead.
Finally, if the weather is warm enough when you visit, don’t miss a walk or a bike ride along the Virginia Creeper Trail, once a train route. The bucolic setting and fresh air translates to real freedom from whatever is on your mind. Mt. Rogers, Virginia’s highest mountain, is also nearby, as is scenic White Top. For more leisurely outdoors activities, consider a historic walking tour of Abingdon or a horse-drawn carriage ride, beginning at the Martha Washington.
