Things to Do in Bristol, VA & Bristol, TN
The twin cities of Bristol, VA, and Bristol, TN, comprise a wonderful vacation destination for people who love music, the arts, the outdoors, history, playing the slots, and of course, NASCAR! The VA/TN state line runs down the middle of State Street in the shared downtown district, uniquely separating the towns. But the tale of these two cities doesn’t stop there. With so many things to do in Bristol, VA, and Bristol, TN, and we’re sharing the highlights here to help you plan your Bristol vacation.
Things to Do in Bristol if you Love Music
The Birthplace of Country Music museum
The “big bang” of country music traces its roots back to Bristol, to the year 1927. This Smithsonian affiliate museum offers interactive, permanent exhibits, rotating exhibits, music performances, and community events.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
A three-day music festival held each Fall in downtown Bristol and featuring music like country, bluegrass, rock, blues, and more. Over 100 bands perform annually, placing this on a music lovers Must Do list.
Things to Do in Bristol if you Love the Arts
Paramount Center for the Performing Arts
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this beautiful, art deco theater is your Bristol destination for plays, music, dance, film, and family entertainment.
Cameo Theater
This landmark theater, built in 1925, now hosts a range of entertainers, from music groups to comedians to quartets.
Blue Ridge Comedy Club
Professional comedian and producer, Shawn Carter, founded this comedy club which hosts a mix of comedians, open mics, and game nights in Bristol.
Things to Do in Bristol if you Love the Outdoors
South Holston Lake and Dam
Are you looking for a great place to fly fish or fish for smallmouth bass? If so, South Holston Lake is one of the best! If water fun is more your style, South Holston is also a top destination for kayakers and rafters.
Steele Creek Park
A 2,200 acre destination for folks who love the active outdoor lifestyle! Steele Creek Park boasts activities like disc golf, horseshoes, paddle boats, splash pad, walking/hiking/biking trails, and a lake.
Bristol Caverns
Used in Frontier days by Indians as an escape route, Bristol Caverns now hosts tours of its stalagmites and stalactites, and colorful mineral formations all year round.
The Bristol Motor Speedway
In a category all by itself, the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” short track brings hundreds of thousands of NASCAR fans to Bristol every racing season. In addition to hosting NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Infinity Series races, the Bristol Motor Speedway is also known as “The Last Great Colosseum” because of its structure and capability to host other events like concerts and football games.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
The addition of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino brought convention space, a spa, slots, table games, plus indoor and outdoor concert and entertainment venues and stages, an interactive sports experience, and racing experience to our twin cities. Maybe you’ll be the next big winner!
As you plan your Bristol getaway, we invite you to check out our short-term rental homes. Meet Wild Thang, Boho Broad, and Ole Gal. Once booked with us, you’ll have your home-away-from-home set when you venture to our twin cities to take in the music, theater, hiking, world-class gaming, and fast cars that make us “a good place to live”.