Abingdon, Virginia is one of the oldest standing settlements in the United States. It’s the famous old stomping ground for Daniel Boone, where he camped out and was allegedly attacked by a pack of wolves. After that, he started to refer to the area as “Wolf Hills” and it kind of stuck.
Abingdon is an incredibly walkable city, with many self-guided historical walking paths and designated sidewalks, which makes it the perfect summer day trip.
Here’s how I would spend a day in Abingdon, VA.
Let’s start the day off on the right foot, with a very large cup of coffee. Wolf Hills Coffee House makes for an easy and slower start to your day. They have more syrup options than I could count, which allows for creative pairings like White Chocolate and BlackBerry. I opted for a Cookie Butter Iced Latte, which did not disappoint. This is right off Main Street, which makes it a great place to park and walk through downtown and onto some of the next few stops.
Over 35 miles of slightly tamed wilderness, The Virginia Creeper trail starts close to the heart of downtown and makes an excellent afternoon detour.
The trail has a rich history, as it follows the old Virginia-Carolina railroad line and leads almost to the border.
As someone who enjoys a good, long leisurely walk as a key part of her morning routine, the trail was incredibly peaceful, filled with both farm and forest creatures, and good for the soul.
Rendezvous – International Cafe
After all that walking, it’s past time for lunch. Rendezvous is a great little cafe with freshly baked bread, homemade Baklava, and some tasty crepes.
They have a great lunch deal for a mozzarella, pesto, and tomato sandwich and chips that you can enjoy outside on a nice summer day.
After lunch at Rendezvous, I highly encourage you to round the corner and catch an early afternoon show at The Barter Theater.
The Barter Theater opened its doors in 1933, making it one of the longest running theaters in the United States.
I’ve attended one too many theatrical performances, from the West End to my own high school’s auditorium, so just take it from me that a show at the Barter Theater is worth catching. If you don’t have the kind of friends that you can text and say, “Hey, let’s go watch this live performance,” you need better, more nerdy, friends.
The theater also acts as an auditorium for other local events. This summer, during the Virginia Highlands Festival, the theater is going to host world-famous chef, entrepreneur, and my favorite TV show host of all time, Andrew Zimmern for a live table talk on July 19th. My foodie heart is full – and you can bet I’ll be there trying to catch a glimpse of the former “Bizarre Foods” host.
Andrew if you’re reading this, I’ll be the one with the giant grin plastered on her face the whole time.
Okay, so now that we’ve exercised, eaten, and been cultured – it’s time for dessert. But we have one day in Abingdon, let’s do something different!
The Girl and The Raven offers a unique eatery experience in the form of their Classic Affogato. Affogato is a classic Italian dessert combining the best of both worlds: ice cream and espresso. It’s still early in the day after catching the show, so let yourself get carried away with caffeine.
Not to mention their crafted cocktails and excellent menu options.
If you find yourself in Abingdon during the Virginia Highlands festival, make the most of your afternoon by exploring and diving into the local culture and culinary art scene!
Thanks so much for checking out the blog! Let me know if you end up making the day trip to Abingdon, VA. I’d love to join you for a Wolf Hills coffee or on your stroll through the Creeper Trail. Just not the whole 35 miles if you please.
-Allison Cook
The Gallivanter 
One response to “A Day in Abingdon, VA”
[…] Festival is held annually in Abingdon, VA. Abingdon has a rich history and culture all its own that I’ve mentioned before on the blog. This time, my trip was all about their culinary […]
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