n o d g n i 48 Hours in Ab WEEKEND GETAWAY
Enjoy one of the luxurious rooms at The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, or indulge in one of its spa services (left).
Spice crusted Scottish salmon at Abingdon’s Rain restaurant.
Riding the Virginia Creeper Trail.
The Arts Depot resides in an old Abingdon train station.
A holiday escape to Virginia’s Wolf Hills by Vanessa Infanzon | photography courtesy Rick Hamm Photography and The Martha Washington Inn & Spa
Historic buildings, shops, restaurants, art galleries and pocket parks along Main Street’s bricked sidewalks make Abingdon, Virginia, an idyllic town for a weekend getaway. Daniel Boone is said to have explored the area in the mid-1700s, naming it Wolf Hills, after his dogs were attacked by a pack of wolves. Abingdon embraced this legend; you’ll find lupine art and sculptures across the town.
in a building originally built in 1832 for the Preston family. By 1858, the property had been sold and established as Martha Washington College, a women’s school until 1932, when the college closed. After an extensive renovation, the property became The Martha Washington Inn. The hotel offers 90-minute private tours for a fee; ask at the front desk for details.
The Abingdon community celebrates the holiday season by dressing up the town in lights and scheduling special activities. A 48-hour retreat in a magical place, only three hours from Lake Norman, may be just the treat you need during this winter holiday.
Spend the afternoon exploring Abingdon’s art galleries and gift, thrift and antique shops. The Arts Depot, housed in an old train station, features six studios – meet the artists, see them work and ask questions. Holston Mountain Artisans and Antiques is an artisan co-operative with 115 members. Wander through the displays of jewelry, paintings, pottery and woodwork. Grab a drink and afternoon snack in Abingdon Commons, a marketplace with shops and eateries such as Semolina Neapolitan Pizzeria and Tumbling Creek Cider Company.
Friday
Check in at The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, or “The Martha” for those in the know. The historic estate boasts 63 rooms and suites, 36
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | NOVEMBER 2025