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It is a principal city in the Kingsport–Bristol metropolitan area, which had a population of 307,614 in 2020. [ 5 ] The metro area is a component of the larger Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia, with a population of 508,260 in 2020.
- What to Do
- Explore The Outdoors
- Where to Eat and Drink
- Where to Stay
Dive Into Bristol’s Musical Legacy
Bristol and county music are practically synonymous. The Birthplace of Country Museum, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., seeks to give the birthplace of the genre in a larger historical and cultural context. The museum focuses its collection and exhibitions on the so-called “Bristol Sessions” of 1927 which have come to be considered the start of country music as we know it.The museum offers hands-on exhibits to understand how the genre evolved from the...
Go Antiquing
Bristol’s State Street retains a vibrant, colorful tableau of old storefronts, lunch counters, and new restaurants. Spend some time exploring the town and dive into its history at State Street antique stores like. Explore the 14,000-square-foot Willow Creek Antiques, which has around 80 booths, or the 15,000-square-foot Grand Antiques. Or visit The Boxwood, which is only open Thursday through Saturday. facebook.com/TheBoxwood, 533 State St., Bristol, VA 24201 facebook.com/GrandAntiquesBristol...
Buy A Few Records
While on State Street, stop into Cheap Thrills Records. The music shop has been around since the mid-1990s but moved to Bristol in 2022. Search for old (and new) country recordings here, as well as folk, rock, rap, jazz, blues, and pretty much any genre your heart desires. cheapthrillsrecords.com, 507 State St., Bristol, VA, 24201
Relax At South Holston Lake
This 7,580-acre reservoir in the mountains makes for a stunning afternoon by the water. Fish for smallmouth bass, fly fish for trout, hike around Osceola Island, kayak around the coves, or stay on one of many campgroundsin Cherokee National Forest, which borders the reservoir and features stops along the Appalachian Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for local fauna, like ospreys and black bears. discoverbristol.org, 918 Holston View Dam Rd., Bristol, TN 37620
Meander Through The Bristol Caverns
While you’d probably want to keep your eyes on the gorgeous mountains around Bristol, you should spend some time exploring the subterranean wonders the area can offer. Take a tour of the Bristol Caverns, which feature stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river, and huge caves that were formed hundreds of millions of years ago. bristolcaverns.com, 1157 Bristol Caverns Hwy., Bristol, TN 37620
Mountain Bike Through Sugar Hollow Park
On the Virginia side, this 400-acre city park has softball and soccer fields, picnic spots, a pavilion and pool, a dog area, and around 12 miles of mountain biking trails. Bike through the hills and the woods on these intermediate to advanced paths. The park also has 75 campsites available mid-April through October. bristolva.org, 23261 Sugar Hollow Dr. Bristol, VA 24201
Sample Local Whiskies
As half of Bristol falls in Tennessee territory, a visit here could not be complete without diving into the local distilling culture. Lost State Distilling is a good place to start. Here, you can sample singe-barrel bourbon and maple-flavored whiskey, as well as gin, rum, and vodka. loststatedistilling.com, 200 State St., Bristol, TN 37620
Order A Shake At Burger Bar
Burger Bar, a Bristol institution, is a mid-century classic spot to grab a burger, fries, and shakes. This joint has been around since 1942, and it's supposedly the last place country music legend Hank Williams, Sr. was seen before he died. theoriginalburgerbar.com, 120 Piedmont Ave., Bristol, VA 24201
Don't Miss Out On Virginia Wine
Right outside of the main drag of town is Nicewonder Vineyard. Cozy up around their fit pits to taste one (or maybe all) of the estate’s five varietals: Viognier, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc. Come for the wine and stay for the live music often on tap. (See more info about the hotel below.) nicewonderfarm.com, 22091 Nicewonder Dr. Bristol, VA 24202
Sleep Downtown At The Bristol Hotel
The Bristol Hotel is located just next door to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and will center you walking distance from all of Bristol’s live music, restaurants, and nightlife. The hotel, the tallest building in town, has a popular rooftop bar, the Lumac, with sweeping views of the town and the foothills beyond. bristolhotelva.com, 115 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA 24201
Embrace Appalachia At The Nicewonder
Outside of town, the much-accoladedNicewonder Farm & Vineyards, which opened in 2022, beckons to guests looking for a luxurious stay in the countryside. Stay in the inn or in one of their luxe yurts. Hickory, the inn’s restaurant, vies for first fiddle, with a menu that celebrates and embraces the duck fat-rich cuisine of the Appalachians. nicewonderfarm.com, 22010 Nicewonder Dr., Bristol, VA 24202
Try Your Luck At The Hard Rock
Fans of the Hard Rock Café have another reason to love the hotel chain. In 2022, the Hard Rock opened one of Virginia's first casinos in Bristol. The Bristol Casino has five different restaurants, 870 slot machines, plenty of card tables and hotel rooms, and more. casino.hardrock.com, 500 Gate City Hwy. Bristol, VA 24201
- Madeline Weinfield
- Drive through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you’re coming from happenin’ Asheville, North Carolina, or the Tri Cities Airport connecting Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, you’ll face scenic views from the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Check in at The Bristol Hotel. Bristol was due for a boutique hotel catering to the Instagram generation, and they got the perfect fit in The Bristol Hotel.
- Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Right next door to The Bristol Hotel and Vivian’s Table is the seminal Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a Smithsonian-backed institution highlighting the city’s role in what we now know as America’s country music industry.
- Hike around Steele Creek Park. Looking for an ideal lake-front picnic spot? Look no further than the peaceful grounds of Bristol’s Steele Creek Park. Hike to a secluded section (your friends at The Bristol Hotel can help guide you) of the park and pack leftovers from Vivian’s Table or scrounge something together at the local farmer’s market.
- Birthplace of Country Music Museum. 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA 24201. Monday: Closed. Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
- Bristol Motor Speedway. 151 Speedway Blvd, Bristol, TN 37620. Hours vary based on event. Tickets. You can buy tickets for events online. Description.
- Bristol Caverns. 1157 Bristol Caverns Hwy, Bristol, TN 37620. March 15 – October 31: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Sunday: 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm.
- Downtown State Street. State Street, Bristol, VA. Hours vary by store, restaurant, venue, and event. Tickets. Tickets vary by venue and event. Description.
On your first trip to Bristol, Virginia, explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, take a scenic hike through the Appalachian Mountains, visit the Bristol Motor Speedway, and savor the local cuisine. Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural beauty that Bristol has to offer.
As the gateway to the region’s outdoors, Bristol is home to world class fly fishing waters, mountain bike trails and hiking year-round. South Holston Lake, one of the most visited lakes in the region, is perfect for swimming, boating, fishing or waterskiing.
Strategically situated in the southeastern United States, Bristol Tennessee-Virginia is a twin city located directly on the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Bristol is part of the metropolitan statistical area of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, commonly called the Tri-Cities.
