In the neighborhood . .
Abingdon is an interesting place to live.
ElderSpirit Community is situated within a 15 min. walk of the Town Center. The Town of Abingdon, located in Washington Co., southwest Virginia, is an historically designated town, established in 1778, with all the charm that this implies. There are many points of interest for residents and visitors to enjoy. An overall view can be gained on the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau site.
We are proud to be part of the Abingdon community and a member of the Washington County Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Restaurants abound to satisfy various food preferences. And if you are a local food "foodie", a Local Food Guide, listing local restaurants and farms, is published every year by Appalachian Sustainable Development, Inc.
A thriving Farmers Market offers fresh local produce, eggs, dairy and meats, much of it organic and sustainably raised and pastured. For some ES members the market is within a pleasant Saturday morning walk.
Our local vineyards include Abingdon Vineyard and Winery, Mountain Rose Vineyard and Davis Valley Winery. Two local craft breweries are Wolf Hills Brewing Co. in Abingdon and the Damascus Brewery.
Arts and entertainment are alive here.
The William King Museum of Art hosts a variety of exhibits of national importance as well as offering classes.
The Abingdon Arts Depot is a community-based center with regional impact.
Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace (formerly known as Heartwood) is the area's gateway to regional crafts and culture, and also offers great music and food.
Abingdon is a nexus for Appalachian crafts, as demonstrated by Holston Mountain Artisans, where unique, functional and/or decorative items made in both contemporary and traditional styles are available for purchase.
Recreation and exercise, indoors and out, are alive here.
The famous Barter Theatre is a first class live theater, the State Theater of Virginia and the nation's longest-running professional theater.
Health and fitness are offered at the Harry L Coomes Recreation Center in the form of exercise programs on all levels of fitness, swimming and yoga. Seniors may access these free or at a very reasonable rate. Whitetop Yoga is also nearby, offering scaleable and modifiable workouts for the fitness buff of all levels.
Outdoor recreation can be accessed easily on the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is a 34 mile trail with Rail to Trail Hall of Fame status, located right next to ElderSpirit, with opportunities for biking, walking, or resting on a trail bench.
Virginia's two highest mountains, Mount Rogers and Whitetop, are within an hour's drive, and offer the most amazing hikes and views. Grayson Highlands, the Appalachian Trail and the National Forests offer many other hiking trails. The Appalachian Trail and the Creeper Trail cross in a neighboring small town, Damascus.
Scenic Holston Lake is 12 miles away and offers a lovely setting for water activities and picnicking. For the golf enthusiast Clear Creek Golf Course and other courses are nearby.
The countryside around Abingdon is largely agricultural with picturesque small towns and beautiful country roads.
Educational opportunities are alive here.
Quality learning opportunities, many of which are very inexpensive and sometimes free to seniors, are offered by Emory and Henry College, King University and East Tennessee State University.
The College for Older Adults and the Virginia Highlands Community College offer a variety of subjects such as history, photography, yoga, cooking, and computer to name but a few. Several ElderSpirit members have taught COA classes on a volunteer basis.
