Looking for mountain charm and musical heritage? Head to Bristol, Virginia! Known as the “Birthplace of Country Music,” Bristol straddles the Virginia–Tennessee state line and offers a rich blend of Appalachian culture, live music, racing thrills, and small-town charm. Whether you’re exploring museums, hiking nearby trails, or catching a show, Bristol delivers a soulful Southern escape.
Bristol, VA Highlights:
- Visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum: Learn how Bristol’s 1927 recording sessions shaped the future of country music.
- Stroll State Street: Walk the center of downtown where the Virginia-Tennessee border literally runs down the middle of the road.
- Catch a race at Bristol Motor Speedway: Experience one of NASCAR’s most iconic and thunderous short tracks just minutes away.
- Explore The Sessions Hotel: Stay in a renovated warehouse-style boutique hotel honoring Bristol’s musical roots.
- Take in live music at The Paramount Center: Enjoy concerts, theater, and community events at this historic venue.
Best Time to Visit Bristol, VA
The best time to visit Bristol is from April through October, when the weather is mild and music festivals and race weekends are in full swing. Fall is especially scenic with mountain foliage and cozy events downtown.
How to Get to Bristol, VA
- By car: Bristol is located along I-81, about 1.5 hours northeast of Knoxville, TN, and 2 hours southwest of Roanoke, VA.
- By air: The closest airport is Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), located about 20 minutes away in Blountville, TN.
- By bus: Greyhound and other regional lines provide limited service to the Bristol area.
Where to Stay in Bristol, VA
- The Sessions Hotel – Boutique hotel featuring music-themed rooms, a rooftop bar, spa, and Southern eatery downtown.
- Bristol Hotel (TN) – Just across the border in Tennessee with a rooftop bar offering sunset mountain views.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites – Convenient, modern lodging close to downtown and the Speedway with complimentary breakfast.
Best Things to Do in Bristol, VA
1. Feel the Beat Where It All Began at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
The Birthplace of Country Music is the museum in Bristol, Virginia, that showcases Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia’s key role in the birth and further development of country music. The museum, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, opened in 2014. Besides the museum, it includes the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, WBCM Radio Bristol, and a number of educational and community outreach programs. The museum occupies 24,000 square feet on two levels. In addition to core exhibits which focus on the 1927 Bristol Sessions which recorded some of earliest American country music, and a Special Exhibit Gallery with rotating exhibits, the Museum also has a performance theater, a learning center, the radio station and The Museum Store. The Core Exhibits are hands on and interactive and have a number of artifacts from the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA 24201, Phone: 423-573-1927
2. See the World Through a Lens at the Benjamin Walls Gallery
Benjamin Walls Gallery in Bristol, Virginia, is the signature gallery of internationally renowned Bristol-born fine art photographer Benjamin Walls. Wells is an environmentalist, artist and entrepreneur whose art won him six international awards. He exhibited his photos in 50 museums in 12 countries and five times at the Smithsonian. Collectors of his art include Grammy-award winners, Fortune 500 CEOs, politicians and Hollywood producers. He has helped raise more than $300,000 for charity. Besides selling his photos and books, Benjamin Walls sister company now offers luxury trips to destinations such as Cuba, East Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
701 State St, Bristol, VA 24201, Phone: 877-989-2557
Where to Eat:
3. Fuel Up with Flavor at McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is a family-friendly counter-serve chain of restaurants famous for their sweet tea and fabulous sandwiches such as 13-layer McAllister Club. Their Bristol location in the Euclid Avenue Shopping Center is modern and bright, offering the McAlister’s classic extensive menú with a wide range of fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, huge stuffed baked potatoes, soups, side dishes, desserts and a range of their signature specialty flavored sweet teas. The restaurant has a pickup window. Customers can use their smart phone app to order online or call the restaurant with their order and then come and pick it up at the window.
1321 Euclid Ave Ste 1, Bristol, VA 24201, Phone: 276-644-0695
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