Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
A double yellow line runs down State Street in Bristol: step to the south side and you are in Tennessee, step north and you are in Virginia. The twin cities share one downtown, one famous welcome sign and one musical legacy, while the Tennessee side is home to a racetrack that seats a small city.
In 1927 a Victor Records producer set up a makeshift studio on State Street and recorded the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Those Bristol Sessions are often called the big bang of country music, and Congress later recognized Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music. Singer Tennessee Ernie Ford was born here, and his boyhood home is a small museum.
Today Bristol Motor Speedway packs its steep concrete bowl for NASCAR weekends, while the Paramount theater, live music bars and the September Rhythm and Roots Reunion keep the downtown busy. Caverns, a big city park and the trout waters of South Holston Lake are all within a short drive.
A short, steeply banked half-mile concrete oval wrapped in towering grandstands, nicknamed the Last Great Colosseum. NASCAR races in spring and the late-summer night race are the big events, and stadium-style concerts and college football have been held here too. Track tours run on non-race days.
Next to the speedway in a natural valley, this quarter-mile drag strip known as Thunder Valley hosts NHRA national events and local test-and-tune nights. The hills make a natural amphitheater for the noise. Bring ear protection, and check the schedule for open nights when locals race their own cars.
An Art Deco movie palace opened in 1931 on the Tennessee side of State Street, restored as a performing arts center with concerts, plays, classic films and touring shows. The glowing marquee is one of downtown's best night photos. Look at the schedule before your trip, as most events are evenings.
A limestone cave system southeast of downtown carved by an underground river, with lighted walkways leading past columns, draperies and large rooms deep below the surface. Guided tours last about an hour and stay at a cool temperature all year. Wear non-slip shoes, as the paths can be damp.
A long TVA reservoir southeast of Bristol, stretching into Virginia, with clear water, marinas, boat ramps and wooded shoreline backed by mountains. Below the dam, the South Holston River is famous for trout fishing. Rent a pontoon in summer, or visit the dam overlook for a quick view.
A Smithsonian-affiliated museum on the Virginia side of downtown that tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions with listening stations, interactive recording booths, film and artifacts. It also houses the Radio Bristol station. Allow two hours, and check for live music in its performance space.
The modest house where singer and television star Tennessee Ernie Ford was born in 1919 is now a small museum with family furnishings, photos and memorabilia from his career, including his hit Sixteen Tons. Volunteers lead the visits. It opens on limited days, so check ahead before going.
The main street of downtown Bristol, with Tennessee on the south side and Virginia on the north, marked by brass state-line markers in the middle of the road. It is lined with restaurants, record shops, antique stores and music venues. Take the classic photo straddling the line, then stay for dinner.
A large lighted sign arching over State Street that reads Bristol VA TN, A Good Place to Live, first raised in the early 20th century and now a symbol of the twin cities. It lights up every evening. The best views are from the east end of State Street near the railroad tracks, especially at dusk.
A three-day festival held each September on stages along State Street and in downtown venues, with bluegrass, Americana, country, blues and rock acts. It celebrates the city's role in early country recordings. Weekend passes sell out in good years, and lodging fills fast, so book early.
One of the largest city parks in Tennessee, with a lake for paddleboats and fishing, miles of wooded trails, a nature center, a golf course, picnic areas and playgrounds. It is a cool, shady escape on summer days. Trails range from easy lakeside loops to steeper ridge climbs.
No reviews yet. Been to Bristol? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Bristol? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: AppalachianCentrist, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Springfulutopia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Aplomado~commonswiki assumed (based on copy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Swampyank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Idawriter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Idawriter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Idawriter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Cecouchman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Cecouchman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Cecouchman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: en:User:Michael Greiner, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kim Phillips, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kim Phillips, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Clayman8392, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Clayman8392, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Clayman8392, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: ceedub13, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Awatson93, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jason Riedy from East Point, GA, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: James St. John, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
