Itineraries
Family Adventures in Abingdon
An Abingdon getaway that's fun for all ages (3 Days/2 Nights)
Playing is for the young, and the young at heart. Make time for your whole family to play together with a getaway in Abingdon, Virginia. This three-day itinerary offers activities that are fun for all ages, with a special emphasis on getting off of your electronic devices, and in to the great outdoors.
Day One
Check in to one of the family-friendly hotels offering free breakfast and a pool, or give your family room to spread out in one of Abingdon’s convenient downtown vacation rentals. Visit our lodging page for plenty of great options.
That evening, head to Barter Theatre for a Broadway quality performance from the state theatre of Virginia.
Older children and adults will enjoy the main stage offerings (insider tip: the box office staff keeps detailed information about the age-appropriateness of every play and musical). Younger children will love the world-class children’s theatre of the Barter Players. Not just for kids, these hour-long shows will have you laughing and cheering along to one of your favorite classic children’s stories.
Day Two
Begin your day with a ride on the famous Virginia Creeper Trail. Start at Whitetop Mountain and enjoy a 17-mile downhill stretch through Jefferson National Forest, or start in Abingdon for a ride favored by locals, crossing the beautiful Holston River trestle bridge and others. Either way, the ride is accessible for all ages, with convenient shuttle services to pick you up after your ride. The Virginia Creeper Trail Bike Shop offers an all-inclusive package of a bike, helmet, and shuttle service, starting in Abingdon or Whitetop.
The Abingdon section of the trail has one more special attraction: Abingdon Vineyards, just a few yards off the trail near Alvarado Station. Nestled in the trees along the South Holston River, the winery offers a flight of wine tastings for the adults, and a creek for the kids to explore, plus snacks and a chance to pet the resident dogs.
After a big day on the trail, refuel with dinner at Bella’s Pizza or JJ's Restaurant and Sports Bar, both popular with all ages. Save room for dessert at The Ice Cream Stop, offering hand-dipped ice cream, soft-serve, shakes, tornados, banana splits, and more.
Day Three
Start your day at Wolf Hills Coffee on Court St. With coffee roasted on the premises, breakfast and lunch options are available.
Explore Abingdon’s two centuries of history with a self-guided walking tour brochure. See if you can find the site where Daniel Boone was attacked by wolves, and find out why Barter Theatre used to accept vegetables instead of money.
Head to William King Museum of Art to watch artists working in their studiosand view the unparalleled Appalachian art, crafts, and furniture collection. Check out the Art Lab, a hub for fun and learning. Equipped with painting, drawing, printmaking, and clay studios; a darkroom; and digital and 3D labs, it’s a space where critical thinking is engaged, curiosity is sparked, and creativity flourishes. It’s a place to examine our world's rich diversity through the lenses of art, craft, and technology.
Pets will also enjoy visiting Abingdon as we boast many locations that include pet-friendly amenities, such as the Abingdon Dog Park at
The Rec Coomes Recreation Center.
