Local Guidebook
Food scene
Coffee on par with anything you've had in Seattle, NYC, or London?!! And in the historic district of downtown Abingdon? It's true. Plus, owners Hugh, Julie, and Ariane lived here at this house--before it was Abingdon Donkey Lodge--and are responsible for all the amazing renovations.
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The Girl & The Raven
380 E Main StCoffee on par with anything you've had in Seattle, NYC, or London?!! And in the historic district of downtown Abingdon? It's true. Plus, owners Hugh, Julie, and Ariane lived here at this house--before it was Abingdon Donkey Lodge--and are responsible for all the amazing renovations.
This is our favorite gastro-pub in Abingdon. You can dress up or down here, and their exquisite food and drinks will leave you wondering how small-town Abingdon has a restaurant scene that can compete with any metropolis! Our Friday evenings are often spent in jeans and t-shirts on Rain's outdoor patio. We usually go early so we don't have to make a reservation.
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Rain Restaurant
283 E Main StThis is our favorite gastro-pub in Abingdon. You can dress up or down here, and their exquisite food and drinks will leave you wondering how small-town Abingdon has a restaurant scene that can compete with any metropolis! Our Friday evenings are often spent in jeans and t-shirts on Rain's outdoor patio. We usually go early so we don't have to make a reservation.
This place is an Abingdon INSTITUTION. For lunch or dinner, we LOVE the quirky atmosphere and the traditional American foods at 128 Pecan. You'll be greeted by Jack, the owner, when you walk through the door. Tell him we sent you.
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128 PECAN
128 Pecan St SEThis place is an Abingdon INSTITUTION. For lunch or dinner, we LOVE the quirky atmosphere and the traditional American foods at 128 Pecan. You'll be greeted by Jack, the owner, when you walk through the door. Tell him we sent you.
Undoubtedly, the most famous restaurant in Abingdon, and the SECOND-oldest still-standing building in the county (WE'RE the first), dining at The Tavern is an experience you'll not soon forget. The ambience is as stunning as the (German-inspired) food. Eating outside under their pergola is our favorite! You'll likely need a reservation. The Tavern serves dinner year-round, and Sunday brunch seasonally.
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The Tavern
222 E Main StUndoubtedly, the most famous restaurant in Abingdon, and the SECOND-oldest still-standing building in the county (WE'RE the first), dining at The Tavern is an experience you'll not soon forget. The ambience is as stunning as the (German-inspired) food. Eating outside under their pergola is our favorite! You'll likely need a reservation. The Tavern serves dinner year-round, and Sunday brunch seasonally.
If you like Mediterranean food, you'll LOVE Greeko's. For lunch or dinner, their hummus, falafels, and gyros are first-class. Greeko's is a quick place to grab a bite to eat AND one of the only non-chain restaurants in Abingdon to be open on Mondays.
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Greeko’s Grill & Café
217 W Main StIf you like Mediterranean food, you'll LOVE Greeko's. For lunch or dinner, their hummus, falafels, and gyros are first-class. Greeko's is a quick place to grab a bite to eat AND one of the only non-chain restaurants in Abingdon to be open on Mondays.
Pastry Chef Anthony Perkins (and Christal's high school classmate) has hit it OUT OF THE PARK with his cozy sweet shop in downtown Abingdon. Whether you're dreaming of creamy home-made ice cream, made-from-scratch desserts, or hand-roasted coffees, this bakery is a must-visit when you're in town.
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Anthony's Desserts
401 W Main StPastry Chef Anthony Perkins (and Christal's high school classmate) has hit it OUT OF THE PARK with his cozy sweet shop in downtown Abingdon. Whether you're dreaming of creamy home-made ice cream, made-from-scratch desserts, or hand-roasted coffees, this bakery is a must-visit when you're in town.
Craving Mexican? Puerto Nuevo is our area's absolute BEST Mexican restaurant. They have a huge menu. And the seafood? It makes us SWOON! Try their fresh-made guacamole and the mixed (squid and shrimp) tostadas! Heaven!
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Puerto Nuevo Fresh Mex & Seafood Abingdon VA
912 East Main StreetCraving Mexican? Puerto Nuevo is our area's absolute BEST Mexican restaurant. They have a huge menu. And the seafood? It makes us SWOON! Try their fresh-made guacamole and the mixed (squid and shrimp) tostadas! Heaven!
This is a local favorite for New American chow with a huge menu, a casual atmosphere, and our favorite wait staff and bartender in town--all inside a historic mansion with a big outdoor covered porch.
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Peppermill
231 W Main StThis is a local favorite for New American chow with a huge menu, a casual atmosphere, and our favorite wait staff and bartender in town--all inside a historic mansion with a big outdoor covered porch.
Things To Do
No trip to Abingdon is complete without attending a performance at the famous Barter Theatre. It is the nation's longest-running professional theater, producing more than 25 plays, musicals, and live-band showcase performances every year. During COVID restrictions, performances are held outdoors at The Moonlite drive-in theatre. It is a spectacular experience!
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Barter Theatre
127 W Main StNo trip to Abingdon is complete without attending a performance at the famous Barter Theatre. It is the nation's longest-running professional theater, producing more than 25 plays, musicals, and live-band showcase performances every year. During COVID restrictions, performances are held outdoors at The Moonlite drive-in theatre. It is a spectacular experience!
What can we say? Christal has a thing for caves, especially the paved and well-lighted ones you can explore safely without even getting dirty! These majestic caverns are filled with history, stories, beauty, and oddities that you can see nowhere else!
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Bristol Caverns
1157 Bristol Caverns HighwayWhat can we say? Christal has a thing for caves, especially the paved and well-lighted ones you can explore safely without even getting dirty! These majestic caverns are filled with history, stories, beauty, and oddities that you can see nowhere else!
Most tourists don't know about this local gem. There's nothing else in Virginia like it. About an hour from Abingdon Donkey Lodge (and a very, very narrow and windy road later), you'll arrive at the base of The Channels Nature Preserve. It's a challenging 6-mile hike (3 miles each way) to see the gigantic maze-like rocks at the top. You won't be sorry you spent half your day here.
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The Channels
Most tourists don't know about this local gem. There's nothing else in Virginia like it. About an hour from Abingdon Donkey Lodge (and a very, very narrow and windy road later), you'll arrive at the base of The Channels Nature Preserve. It's a challenging 6-mile hike (3 miles each way) to see the gigantic maze-like rocks at the top. You won't be sorry you spent half your day here.
This treasure is just 1/2 mile from our property--and draws visitors from all over the country who come to partake in its extraordinary views by the water, its weekend parties with food trucks and bands, and its amazing vino!
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Abingdon Vineyards
20530 Alvarado RdThis treasure is just 1/2 mile from our property--and draws visitors from all over the country who come to partake in its extraordinary views by the water, its weekend parties with food trucks and bands, and its amazing vino!
USA TODAY recently rated the Virginia Creeper Trail as the 2nd-best trail in the entire nation. And it's right outside your front door here at Abingdon Donkey Lodge! Rent a bike (or bring your own) from any of the multitude of bike shops in Damascus; they'll even shuttle you to the top of Whitetop Mountain, where you can coast the 17 miles back to where you started. (Please do make a reservation, especially on weekends.) One of our favorite things about the Creeper Trail is people of any biking ability can enjoy it. We often walk on the trail as well. It is a full 34.3 miles long from start to finish.
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Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail
Virginia Creeper National Recreation TrailUSA TODAY recently rated the Virginia Creeper Trail as the 2nd-best trail in the entire nation. And it's right outside your front door here at Abingdon Donkey Lodge! Rent a bike (or bring your own) from any of the multitude of bike shops in Damascus; they'll even shuttle you to the top of Whitetop Mountain, where you can coast the 17 miles back to where you started. (Please do make a reservation, especially on weekends.) One of our favorite things about the Creeper Trail is people of any biking ability can enjoy it. We often walk on the trail as well. It is a full 34.3 miles long from start to finish.
Abingdon Donkey Lodge is located 6 miles from the Appalachian Trail, as it passes through the small town of Damascus, Virginia. Damascus is a fun, casual, and laid back town (with a brewery and distillery of its own) known as Trail Town, USA, because seven nationally known trails intersect there.
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Appalachian Trail
Abingdon Donkey Lodge is located 6 miles from the Appalachian Trail, as it passes through the small town of Damascus, Virginia. Damascus is a fun, casual, and laid back town (with a brewery and distillery of its own) known as Trail Town, USA, because seven nationally known trails intersect there.
Want to hike Virginia's highest peaks (over 5000 ft. above sea level) and see wild ponies while you're at it? Grayson Highlands State Park is approximately a one-hour drive from Abingdon Donkey Lodge--but it's stunning views and hiking trails for hikers of all ability levels make it well worth the drive.
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Parco Statale di Grayson Highlands
829 Grayson Highland LaneWant to hike Virginia's highest peaks (over 5000 ft. above sea level) and see wild ponies while you're at it? Grayson Highlands State Park is approximately a one-hour drive from Abingdon Donkey Lodge--but it's stunning views and hiking trails for hikers of all ability levels make it well worth the drive.
Colonial and Revolutionary War buffs, look no further! Abingdon Muster Grounds is open from dawn until dusk year-round for self-guided walking tours. The Keller Interpretive Center, located within the 9-acre Muster Grounds, is open seasonally. It is the premier center for Colonial Backcountry history from the American Revolutionary period in Southwest Virginia. Exhibits help visitors discover what life was like for the Overmountain Men, Backcountry Women, African-Americans and Native Americans, as well as British Loyalists, and a history of Washington County, the Overmountain region of Southwest Virginia. Artifacts used at the Battle of Kings Mountain and others from the late 18th-century Overmountain region are on display.
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Abingdon Muster Grounds
1780 Muster PlColonial and Revolutionary War buffs, look no further! Abingdon Muster Grounds is open from dawn until dusk year-round for self-guided walking tours. The Keller Interpretive Center, located within the 9-acre Muster Grounds, is open seasonally. It is the premier center for Colonial Backcountry history from the American Revolutionary period in Southwest Virginia. Exhibits help visitors discover what life was like for the Overmountain Men, Backcountry Women, African-Americans and Native Americans, as well as British Loyalists, and a history of Washington County, the Overmountain region of Southwest Virginia. Artifacts used at the Battle of Kings Mountain and others from the late 18th-century Overmountain region are on display.
Country music began about 35 minutes from here in Bristol. This Smithsonian museum is one of the nicest we've ever seen, and is like a time capsule from the early 20th century until now. If you're a fan of country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, or even rock, this museum is a must-see! We go at least once a year!
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Birthplace of Country Music Museum
101 Country Music WayCountry music began about 35 minutes from here in Bristol. This Smithsonian museum is one of the nicest we've ever seen, and is like a time capsule from the early 20th century until now. If you're a fan of country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, or even rock, this museum is a must-see! We go at least once a year!
Are you a fan of country, bluegrass, or folk music? Then put on your dancing shoes! Held at the home-place of the famous Carter Family (A.P., Sara, and Maybelle) in Hiltons, Virginia, these weekly concerts are held seasonally on Saturday nights. If you plan on attending, take Interstate 81 to Gate City Highway. Otherwise, your GPS may take you on some crazy, one-lane roads. The Carter Fold is approximately one hour from Abingdon Donkey Lodge.
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Carter Family Fold Music Shows
3449 A P Carter HwyAre you a fan of country, bluegrass, or folk music? Then put on your dancing shoes! Held at the home-place of the famous Carter Family (A.P., Sara, and Maybelle) in Hiltons, Virginia, these weekly concerts are held seasonally on Saturday nights. If you plan on attending, take Interstate 81 to Gate City Highway. Otherwise, your GPS may take you on some crazy, one-lane roads. The Carter Fold is approximately one hour from Abingdon Donkey Lodge.