The 16 Best Things To Do In Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee

The excitement of "The Birthplace of Country Music" doesn't stop across state lines.

Bristol, VA/TN
Photo:

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

About 40 minutes north of Johnson City, Tennessee, sits Bristol, a charming little town that's split between two states. The Virginia-Tennessee state line cuts right horizontally across Bristol’s main thoroughfare, called State Street, allowing both states to claim it as their own. But there’s no denying Bristol knows exactly where it stands: This small mountain city is as essential to country music—if not more so—as its more famous sister city, Nashville.

Country music has been putting this corner of the American South on the map since the early 20th century when Ralph Peer, a talent scout and music producer, traveled to Bristol from New York City during the 1920s to record the tunes coming out of the area. The most famous and influential of Peer's recordings came from A.P. Carter and his family. Around a century later, the legend and legacy of the Carter Family still impact Bristol. The town is still alive with the genre’s legacy, drawing in visitors for its Birthplace of Country Museum, its live music, heritage distilling and winemaking, and its natural beauty. 

And with a buzzy country inn and the ever-growing presence of Virginia’s wine business, Bristol is more alive than ever. Visitors here can occupy themselves by staying right in town, but those who venture beyond State Street and down the surrounding country roads will be rewarded by the sounds and sights of what put Bristol on the map in the first place. You can visit any time of year, but come in the fall to celebrate Bristol's music legacy during the annual Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival.

Bristol VA/TN mural

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

What To Do

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 early pre-recording days and explores the impact the music Ralph Peer reordered in the early 20th century continues to have on country music today.

birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA 24201

Bristol, VA

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

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, 615 State St., Bristol, VA 24201

willowcreekbristol.com, 619 State St., Bristol, VA 24201

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

Drive Out To The Carter Family Fold

The 35-minute drive from downtown Bristol to the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will show you the Appalachian beauty that has inspired some legendary folk and country songs. The drive is a journey unto itself, and after spending the better part of an hour passing few other cars on the road, you may be surprised when you arrive at the very lively Carter Family Fold. Part museum, part concert venue, part dancehall, it's the perfect spot to learn how to two-step.

Arrive early, buy some popcorn for $1, and settle into a night of music that doesn’t get more country, local, or authentic. Members of the Carter family introduce the evening, rock their grandbabies to sleep on the stage, and lead the charge to get the audience to join in the dancing. 

carterfamilyfold.org, 3449 A P Carter Hwy., Hiltons, VA 24258

Bristol, VA/TN

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

Hear Some Music

For a small town with one main street, Bristol sure puts on a show—many of them each night. State Street is anchored by the The Paramount, a 1930s-era theater, where performances are heavily dominated by country music but also feature other genre musical acts, as well as occasional offer comedy, films, and ballet. The theater has 750 seats and an art deco style you can't miss.

paramountbristol.org, 518 State St., Bristol, TN 37620

See A Race And Christmas Lights At Bristol Motor Speedway

Nothing is quite as Southern as NASCAR. Spend an afternoon at the Bristol Motor Speedway, watching race cars zoom around the half-mile oval track. The facility has campgrounds for fans to stay before events, hosts one of the biggest drag races in the country, and illuminates the course with more than 3 million Christmas lights each holiday season. 

bristolmotorspeedway.com, 151 Speedway Blvd., Bristol, TN 37620

South Holston Lake

Tennessee Tourism

Explore The Outdoors

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 campgrounds in 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

Historic Bristol

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

Where To Eat And Drink

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

Get A Doughnut at Blackbird

Blackbird Bakery is famous in the region (one bite will reveal why) for its pies and pastries, cakes, and tarts. Come for the doughnuts, but if you don't have time to stop and savor, the bakery has a second drive-through location as well.

blackbirdbakerybristol.com, 188 Piedmont Ave., Bristol, VA 24101

Bristol, VA/TN

courtesy of Virginia Tourism

Where To Stay

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-accoladed Nicewonder 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

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Sources
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  1. Olson T. Victor Talking Machine Company Sessions in Bristol, Tennessee—the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Stoneman, and Others. Library of Congress.

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