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Wytheville & Abingdon Areas

About Wytheville & Abingdon Areas

Wytheville is a Small Town with a BIG Experience. Located at the crossroads of Interstates 77 and 81 just 30 minutes from the Fancy Gap entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a variety of attractions for all ages to enjoy while surrounded by the beauty of travel in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From an animal park and herb gardens to wineries and a dinner theatre featuring popular musicals, from historic museums and an Indian village to the top of Big Walker Mountain featuring artisans and craftsmen, from unique shopping to outdoor recreation, there is an almost endless array of activity options.

Founded in 1778, Abingdon is home to the world-famed Barter Theatre, the William King Museum & the Arts Depot. The Historic District hosts the Sinking Spring Cemetery tour and Main Street’s antique shops and galleries. Enjoy music under the stars at the town’s many concerts, featuring world famous musicians. Each August, the Virginia Highlands Festival, voted one of the Nation’s Top 100 Events, showcases antiques, arts, crafts, and more. Other Abingdon events include Plumb Alley Day, the Highlands Jazz Festival and Overmountain Victory Trail’s Annual September Revolutionary War Reenactment.

Just west of Wytheville lies Tazewell County, the adventure tourism capital of the Appalachians. Here, you’ll find hiking trails, bicycling routes, ATV trails, and the Back of the Dragon route enjoyed by motorcyclists and sportscar enthusiasts alike. The county was created in 1799 from parts of Wythe and Russell Counties. The county seat, established in 1800, was originally called Jeffersonville but was renamed Tazewell in 1892.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail accessible in Abingdon, the nearby Mount Rogers National Recreation Area located in Smyth County, as well as the hiking, biking, fishing and watersports available throughout Southwestern Virginia in the Heart of Appalachia. NASCAR fans will find the Bristol Motor Speedway only a few minutes away in beautiful Northeast Tennessee.

Area Visitor Centers

Motorcycles at a roadside overlook

Lodging, Dining, & Things to Do

The sun setting over a curvy road in the mountains of VA

Stories from Wytheville & Abingdon Areas

Winter lights in the shape of quilt squares are brightly lit at night at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Celebrate Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains
November 18, 2021
Family-friendly, Seasonal, Skiing, Arts & Culture
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A retriever lies in front of the LOVEwork in Wytheville which highlights trains, hot air balloons and the town's location at the crossroads of I-77 and I-81.
Virginia is for Photograph Lovers
September 16, 2021
Driving Tour, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Motorcycle-Friendly, Road Trip
Virginia's creative and sometimes whimsical LOVEworks are a wonderful photo opportunity. Why not start a new tradition and make some family memories finding and photographing a few LOVE signs while enjoying the out of doors this year?
Two volunteers clean a sign at Rocky Knob along the Parkway.
13 Free Things to Do on (or near) the Blue Ridge Parkway
June 17, 2021
History & Heritage, Education & Classes, Hiking Trails, Waterfalls, Sunset Views, Sunrise Views, Get Involved, Stargazing, Live Music
Many activities in the regions surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway are available year-round for free. Special events, hiking, live music, volunteering and lots more are included in this article.
Polly Woods hosted early travelers in her single story log home near the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
Discovering History & Heritage in the Blue Ridge
February 24, 2021
History & Heritage
A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is literally a trip through time. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself.
Numerous motorcycles are parked in the gravel lot in front of Big Walker Lookout's multistory tower.
8 Tips for Planning Your Parkway Travels
January 25, 2021
Caves & Caverns, Gems & Minerals, Native American Culture
The last Tuesday in January is National Plan for Vacation Day. Academic research shows that trip planning and anticipation bring positive effects. Here are some tips for planning your upcoming Parkway travels.
Joyful children stand at the top of a sledding hill with their sleds.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Parkway’s Wide Open Spaces (Even when the road is closed)
December 31, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Stargazing, Waterfalls, Fishing, Winter Sports, Motorcycle Route
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike.
A purple women's sweater hangs over a black shirt and necklace in a store.
Tis the Season to Shop Online
December 4, 2020
Online Store, General & Country Stores, Apparel, Gems & Minerals, Home & Garden, Local Food
Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list from the comfort of your home and have the gifts delivered to your door or directly to the recipient.
A Blue Ridge Parkway overpass in Fancy Gap, VA displays stonework from the 1930s.
Tours, Trails and Routes to Stimulate Your Senses
October 14, 2020
Artisan Trails, Craft Beer, Driving Tour, Food & Beverage Trails, Live Music, Local Food, Farms & Agriculture, Motorcycle Route, Music Trails, Wine Lovers
These routes offer sites worth visiting that promise to tickle your taste buds, enthrall your eyes and enchant your ears. There are tours, routes and trails to suit every traveler, taste, and location from Tennessee to Virginia.
411-foot Whitewater Falls drops over the rocks into multiple streams surrounded by fall-colored leaves.
Waterfalls Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
September 9, 2020
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Nature & Outdoors, Hiking Trails
Numerous waterfalls are located throughout the Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway regions. Some are visible from the road and some require a hike. This list notes the location and ease of access for each waterfall.
Blue Ridge Farm Museum offers a view of a historic farmstead including structures and gardens.
Exploring Farms & Orchards Along the Blue Ridge
August 26, 2020
Farm Stay, Farms & Agriculture, Farming Heritage, Working Farm
The Blue Ridge Mountains are dotted with farms producing everything from Christmas trees to trout. Fruit, flowers, herbs, jams, jellies, pies, wreaths and other crafts are all produced right here in the mountains. And what better way to get outside this year than to enjoy the fresh air of a mountain farm?

Recommended Itineraries

A bridge over a foggy lake leads to fall-colored trees on the opposite shore at Hungry Mother State Park.
Claw of the Dragon Road Trip
Region: Virginia
Duration:2 - 3 days
Motorcycle Route
Looping through the Blue Ridge Mountain range, the Claw of the Dragon is one of the most popular destinations in the South among motorcycle enthusiasts.