We recently celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this month and as usual, we went on a trip. Except this year, our plans got a little sidetracked. We originally planned to go to Charleston (shocking I know), but with the possible hurricane coming in, we got scared and decided to cancel it.
Especially since we went through Hurricane Helene last year in Asheville. So we stumbled upon this really cool place, Nicewonder Farm in Bristol, VA. And because of that, I am sharing all the fun things to do in Bristol for couples today.
We mainly spent most of our time at Nicewonder, which was an amazing resort by the way. It was the perfect place to spend an anniversary at for sure. But, we did venture into downtown Bristol, VA for a little bit before arriving at Nicewonder.
I was pleasantly surprised that our plans ended up changing, because I definitely would come back here in a heartbeat. Everything there is just so beautiful and romantic, perfect for a date night! So if you’re celebrating an anniversary soon, or just want a nice romantic getaway, you need to check this place out!
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Things To Do In Downtown Bristol, VA
Bristol is very close to Abingdon, VA; which you may remember we visited this past summer for the first time and loved it as well. And even before coming into downtown, we stopped again in Abingdon to visit some of our favorite stores.
We had brunch at a cute cafe that we saw there last time but didn’t get a chance to check out. I highly recommend stopping by The Girl & The Raven if you’re wanting a delicious brunch too! After strolling the streets of Abingdon again, we drove into downtown Bristol.
Which I’ve got to say, is not as cute as Abingdon unfortunately. There were some cool looking restaurants and shops though, and of course, several antique stores.
We did go into the antique stores, but unfortunately I did not find anything worth taking home with me. But, it’s worth a stroll downtown to check out.
And it’s important to note that we were there on an early Tuesday afternoon too, so I would imagine the places here would be much busier during the weekends. We were just trying to kill some time before checking into Nicewonder and this was a fun way to do so!
Nicewonder Farm
Once we arrived at Nicewonder, we were immediately blown away by the gorgeous grapevines through the drive in. And then once we arrived inside, the whole resort is completely beautiful too.
It’s only a 28-room boutique hotel, so even if they are at full capacity, it’s not that crowded. And I think the whole time we were there, we only saw like 3 or 4 other couples staying there too.
It was so nice because it truly felt like we had the place to ourselves. I’m sure it depends on the time of your visit, but since we were coming in the off season, there really wasn’t too many people around.
You can stay at the inn, which is what we did, but they also offer yurts that you can stay in as well.
Places To Eat
After we arrived at Nicewonder, we didn’t leave for the entire stay. Granted, we were only there 2 nights, but it was just so peaceful and relaxing to stay at the resort and not have to worry about anything- even where to eat!
They have plenty of options on property for great food as well. I love having easy access to food when I want it!
Their Hickory Fine Dining Room was where we ate dinner and breakfast everyday, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Everything we had there was delicious and cooked perfectly!
They also have another dining option over at their tasting room. This is more like appetizers and wood fired pizzas there, but even still, it was delicious too! We got the pimento cheese sliders and a Margherita pizza there the first night we were there.
They also offer live performances and music every Saturday, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to see that since we were only there during the week. However, this is a great spot for lunch or snacks while you’re on the property.
The next day, we came back and got a charcuterie board and played Uno for a long time. It was so fun and relaxing. They have a ton of board games in their tasting room so you can play games while you drink and eat which is always a great idea!
They also offer a turn down service at nighttime and placed gourmet sweets and treats for us on a tray to enjoy each night which was so fun.
Things To Do At Nicewonder
There’s not too many things to do, which I think is the beauty of it all here. It was a great way to force us to relax and enjoy spending time together. Which makes Nicewonder one of the best places we’ve ever been on an anniversary trip!
But no worries, they do offer several things to do there on site as well so you’re not completely bored! They have an amazing infinity pool area, complete with a hot tub, and you can bet that’s where we spent a lot of our time!
And they have an amazing spa there as well. We splurged on our actual anniversary and ended up booking some services to enjoy. I did a facial while my hubby did a massage and both were amazing. Plus, when you book a spa service, you can enjoy the spa amenities there all day long too, which was very nice.
They have another, more private hot tub there as well as steam showers and saunas too that you can enjoy. I will say, our favorite thing to do there was to just sit by the fire every single night and enjoy the spectacular views.
You can even take a romantic walk around the pond there too. Like I said, it’s just super relaxing to be there and take it all in. It was the perfect spot to end each evening in. We would enjoy a glass of wine and I would bring out my Kindle and read by the fire all night, which is absolute perfection to me!
And they also offer s’mores every night, so if you want to take part in that while you’re out enjoying the fire, they will bring it all to you!
And I’ve got to say, the staff at Nicewonder are all incredible and so very nice. They will literally get you whatever you need in order to enjoy your stay to the fullest.
Other Activities To Do Near Nicewonder
If you want to go off property during your stay at Nicewonder, there are several fun activities to choose from as well.
You could golf at The Virginian, which we drove through using their property golf carts and it was an extremely beautiful golf course. So if you’re a golfer, you definitely should check that out.
Or you can do some fly fishing down the South Houlston, Watauga, or other local waters on a guided tour. Also, if you’re super adventurous, you can book a private helicopter tour too!
So as you can see, there are plenty of things you can do in Bristol, VA that would be perfect for couples! Especially if you like outdoor adventures like those listed above too.
Enjoy Bristol, VA
I hope this post gave you a little inspiration on what you can do as couples in Bristol, VA. I know when you say Bristol, most everyone thinks of Tennessee, but trust me, the Virginia side is worth checking out too!
And Nicewonder is such a great place to check out and stay in while you’re there too. It was the perfect romantic date spot for us to enjoy and celebrate our anniversary at.
We had such a fantastic time and I can’t wait to go back sometime. It was one of the most romantic things we’ve ever done for anniversary and I loved it. It was nice to travel somewhere different for a change.
Although, you know our love for Charleston is hard to beat! Bristol is another one of the best spots we’ve been to before. Have you ever been there before too? If so, I’d love to hear all about your trip below too!
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