Looking for a memorable Virginia getaway? Travel to one of the most underrated parts of the state, exploring Bristol, Abingdon, and the epically scenic region of Southwest Virginia. Make it a long weekend trip, taking off a Friday and following this itinerary for an awesome three-day adventure in Virginia.
In the fall, Bristol hosts Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a three-day music festival that celebrates Bristol’s heritage as the Birthplace of Country Music and there are always dozens of talented bands worth seeing at this incredible annual event.
TRIP PLANNING OVERVIEW
Stay at: A Tailor's Lodging or Creeper’s End Lodging in Abingdon, each starting around $115 per night. The Bristol Hotel in Bristol, starting at $179 per night.
A Tailor's Lodging is a historic restored property in the heart of downtown Abingdon. Featuring beautiful woodwork and antique furnishings, the inn has been renovated with all the modern amenities, including luxurious showers, TVs in every room, and a mini fridge stocked with anything you could possibly want, from sodas and bottled waters to milk and cream options for your morning coffee.
Just around the corner, Creeper’s End Lodging consists of two charming cottages that hold seven apartment-style suites. Each room has its own unique layout that caters to every type of guest, from families with small children to solo travelers looking for a quiet spot to unwind at the end of a long day.
The Bristol Hotel in downtown Bristol is conveniently situated just off State Street and within walking distance to all the restaurants, shops, and attractions of the city. This historic boutique hotel offers a rooftop bar, gourmet restaurant, and stunning rooms at affordable rates.
Suggested Prior Reservations: Accommodations at Creeper’s End Lodging, A Tailor's Lodging, and The Bristol Hotel, bike rentals through Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop, tours with Adventure Mendota, dinner at 128 Pecan or Rain Restaurant.
FRIDAY
Begin Friday with the drive out to Abingdon and make a quick stop at The Peppermill for lunch. A hidden gem of Southwest Virginia, dine on the porch of a historic home and enjoy upscale lunch options with a view.
Once you’ve finished lunch, your next stop is the Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop. The shop rents mountain bikes to riders looking to take on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a 34-mile rail-trail that runs from Whitetop Station inside Mount Rogers National Recreation Area to downtown Abingdon, ending just blocks from the bike shop. The trail is a leisurely downhill ride, but you’ll have the option to choose a shorter bike route if 34 miles seems a bit daunting. We decided on a nine-mile stretch from the shop to Alvarado, which provided a picturesque ride through the rural wooded landscape outside Abingdon. In addition to offering rentals, the bike shop provides a shuttle service, ferrying you and the bikes back to the shop after the ride.
Even though the trail is fairly easy, you’ll find yourself in need of a break after hours of biking. Check in to either A Tailor's Lodging or Creeper’s End Lodging, both a short distance from Abingdon’s best restaurants and shops, then get ready for your evening out.
Abingdon has tons of noteworthy restaurants (fun fact: there are more restaurants per-capita in Abingdon than in San Francisco), so narrowing it down for dinner is no easy task. We recommend dining at either 128 Pecan or Rain Restaurant. 128 Pecan is casual yet timeless, with a menu featuring upscale southern fare. Start with an appetizer (both the calamari and the parmesan fries were delicious), then choose from entrees like grilled lamb chops, shrimp & grits, and lemon rosemary grilled chicken.
Rain Restaurant is a casual fine dining restaurant also within the downtown area, serving upscale classics like Filet Mignon, Blackened New York Strip, Yellowfin Tuna, and House Crab Cakes, as well as an array of tasty sandwiches and burgers and seasonal specials.
Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos
After dinner, stroll over to the Barter Theatre to catch a show. The official state theatre of Virginia, the Barter Theatre has been a staple of the community since 1933. Resident actors team up with special guest stars to put on popular Broadway plays and musicals like Steel Magnolias, Singin’ in the Rain, and Sister Act.
Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos
Grab a drink after the show at the Martha Washington Inn & Spa, located just across the street from the Barter Theatre. The elegant historic hotel blends old southern charm with modern luxury, and the on-site restaurant and bar is the perfect place to end your first evening in Southwest Virginia.
SATURDAY
Wake up early on Saturday for breakfast at Blackbird Bakery in Bristol. Pick out breakfast from the glass cases containing an assortment of homemade muffins, donuts, pastries, and other sweet treats. Add a specialty coffee to fully wake up, and grab a seat at the patio tables outside if the weather permits.
Hit the road heading northwest for Clinch River Adventures. They'll get you geared up and ready to explore one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the country, the Clinch River. Choose your kayak experience from a 90-minute trip all the way to a full day, 7-hour exploration trip, or opt for a slower-paced tubing adventure for 2 hours of serene float time. No need to stress, the Clinch River Adventure staff will handle all the heavy lifting and greet you as you exit the river, loading up the kayaks or tubes and shuttling you back to the shop.
If water sports aren’t your first choice, consider hiking at the Channels Natural Area Preserve, a seven-mile round-trip hike to sandstone slot canyons that are approximately 400 million years old. While it’s not a beginner-level trek, the payoff of the massive stone channels at the end is well worth the hike.
Head back towards Bristol, where you’ll grab lunch at the Burger Bar. This classic burger joint looks like something straight out of the 1950s, complete with neon signs, swivel seating at the Formica countertops, and retro pendant lighting overhead. Legend has it that country music star, Hank Williams Sr., ate his last meal at Burger Bar, and in our opinion, that’s a pretty fantastic last meal. Start with one of the juicy burgers with all the toppings and add a side of their chili cheese fries but save room for a classic milkshake, blended in flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Marshmallow Crème, and Chocolate Raspberry.
Next up, pay a visit to the iconic Birthplace of Country Music Museum, just a short walk from Burger Bar. The museum traces Bristol’s history in country music back to 1927, when the famed Bristol Recording Sessions brought together some of the most important acts in country music, including the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. After learning about these recordings and the effect they had on the music industry as a whole, you’ll see how these songs are still being played by musicians over 90 years later.
Spend an hour or so browsing a few of the shops off State Street in Downtown Bristol. Check out the Paramount Theater, a national historic landmark that was built in 1931 and still hosts concerts, movies, and other entertainment on a regular basis. If you’re interested in seeing the interior of the Art Deco-style theater outside of scheduled show times, you can request a tour of the property in advance.
Craft beverage lovers should head to Lumac Rooftop Bar at the Bristol Hotel, where you can sample a wide array of brews or get craft cocktails while enjoying breathtaking views from high above the city. The bar also has a full-service restaurant where you can order light fare like Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip or enjoy dinner, with dishes ranging from burgers and sandwiches to locally sourced sirloins and upscale seafood entrees.
Journey back to the Bristol Hotel for a good night’s sleep.
SUNDAY
Kick-start your last day in Southwest Virginia at White Birch Kitchen & Juice in downtown Abingdon. Besides a handful of healthy breakfast entrees, the restaurant blends up an array of smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and wellness shots using simple, locally sourced ingredients like fresh fruit, spices, and health-conscious produce including wheatgrass and spinach. Try the Scram-bowl, made with your choice of home fries, local grits, or rice & quinoa topped with scrambled egg, mushrooms, spinach, caramelized onions, goat cheese, avocado, red pepper yogurt sauce, and fresh parsley. It’s filling enough to get you through your morning but still light enough that you won’t be tempted to go back to bed.
Spend a little more time exploring downtown Abingdon's shops, then pick up a picnic lunch from The Girl & The Raven. The menu features an array of breakfast fare, sandwiches and wraps, salads, juices and wellness lattes, and house-roasted coffees.
Photo Credit: Kyle LaFerriere, @laferriere.photography
Grab your lunch and get back on the road for Grayson Highlands State Park, about an hour east of Abingdon, where you’ll park at the base of the Rhododendron Trail inside Grayson Highlands. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the resident wild ponies along the trail, as well as some stunning scenery from the top of the short quarter-mile hike.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Moore
After reaching the top of the trail, you can connect to the Appalachian Trail for further exploration along the mountains, or head back down the trail to start your trip back home.
Looking for more travel ideas around Virginia? Below are a few more 72-hour guides to help you plan your next visit.
