Bristol State of Mind
State Street in Bristol brings you the best of two states.
With one foot in Tennessee and the other in Virginia you’re not just in Bristol, you are in a special STATE of mind. Here the music of the mountains made history; outlaws trying to outrun authorities eventually took the chase into the last great colosseum; and nature’s wide paintbrush created a backdrop of majestic mountains and sparkling waters. Bristol may be small on the map but it’s BIG when it comes to things to do.
State Street
Opened in 1931, this classic theater fell on hard times shutting down in 1979. Reopened in the 1990’s the theater is now the centerpiece of downtown revitalization in Bristol.
There aren’t many places where the main street in a town straddles the state line, but in the heart of Bristol, one side of the street proudly displays the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia while the stars of Tennessee’s grand divisions shine on the other. And in case you get confused about where you are, an historic sign at the end of State Street points you in the right direction and reminds you that whether it’s Bristol, Virginia or Bristol, Tennessee, it’s a good place to live (and visit)!
Once a thriving railroad town, Bristol, like many other cities saw shopping centers and malls drain the life out of downtown. Today, the heartbeat of both Bristols runs right down State Street. The bright colors and flashing lights of the restored Paramount Theater along State Street helped light the way to the Bristol boom of today. And in just the past few years, the restored Cameo Theater on the Virginia side brought even more flair to these “twin cities.” Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Bristol is the Birthplace of Country Music and home to one of racing’s biggest shrines.
Food Finds Aplenty
Whether you are going to see a show, checking out the shops and boutiques or in town for a race, you might find it difficult to decide where to eat downtown.
The Burger Bar sits on the Virginia Side just a block away from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. It’s classic neon sign and diner feel make it a favorite place to grab a burger and sides, but one of the big draws is a legend dating back to the 1950’s. Hank Williams, Sr. was said to be traveling from Alabama to Ohio when he stopped at the Burger Bar. That may have been the last place he was seen alive. Today on the menu you can grab a “Your Cheating Heart” burger what comes with caramelized onions, mushrooms and chiles or you can read the article up on the wall about the “Hillbilly Hammerstein.”
When you visit the Burger Bar be sure and check out all the dollar bills along the ceiling and walls and order the Big Mic, a burger with two large patties, three buns and a lot of cheese and flavor.
One of Bristol’s newest restaurants sits across the street in an old bus station. Union 41 is the creation of Chef T. who was a runner-up on both Hell’s Kitchen and Big Restaurant Bet. This upscale restaurant specializes in connecting family and farm to the restaurant dinner table.
This building which houses Chef T.’s Union 41 Restaurant was once a bus station.
Themed dinners and “Sunday Supper” are also part of the experience.
(I have known Chef T. for several years now, meeting her at Euphoria Greenville in South Carolina and visiting a former restaurant she operated in St. Paul, VA. As of this writing, I have not yet had a chance to try Union 41).
The Blackbird Bakery has become one of the most popular spots in Downtown Bristol. In fact they’ve opened a drive through location just a few blocks away along Commonwealth Ave.
Bristol’s two boutique hotels offer up dining options like Southern Craft BBQ and Vivian’s Table. For a savory meal with a Chicago vibe, check out the Angry Italian or quench your thirst at one of the downtown breweries or bars or check out Lost State Distilling right under the famed Bristol sign along State Street.
After your meal save room for dessert at Blackbird Bakery, a bakery and coffee house with a seemingly endless array of sweet treats including a brownie tower topped with strawberries and chocolate.
Birthplace of Country Music
In 1927, the music world experienced a Big Bang when the Victor Talking Machine Company sent Ralph Peer to Bristol to record some of the region’s musicians. Those sessions gave birth to the modern day Country Music industry. Decades later, Bristol celebrates its place as the Birthplace of Country Music with everything from a grand mural along State Street to historical markers and the centerpiece of it all, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Just a few blocks off State Street, this Smithsonian affiliated museum is a must see attraction, even if Country Music isn’t your thing. Hi-tech interactive exhibits help tell the story not only of the Bristol Sessions, but how these recordings help set into motion the music industry we know today. Along the way, much of Bristol’s history comes to life along with plenty of opportunities to hear live music throughout the year.
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum presents not only the story of Country Music, but the impact the recording sessions of 1927 revolutionized the music industry in general.
From Country Music to Hard Rock
While Bristol is known for Country Music, the newest attraction in the city places its bets on a future in Hard Rock. In the summer of 2022, the Bristol Casino opened inside what was at one time the Bristol Mall. This is the first casino to open in the state of Virginia. (Casino gambling is still illegal in Tennessee). Eventually, the Hard Rock Casino complex will grow to a full fledged resort with multiple restaurants, shopping, an indoor and outdoor entertainment venue and a towering hotel.
Located inside the former Belk Store of the old Bristol Mall, the temporary casino at the Hard Rock complex features nearly 900 slot machines, table games, a bar and two restaurants.
Currently, the Bristol Casino operates with around 900 slot machines, gaming tables and a high stakes area. There is a sit down restaurant called Mr. Lucky’s along with a pizza place and a full bar. You’ll also find a small “Rock Shop” with Hard Rock themed items and a few cases of music memorabilia, a staple at Hard Rock restaurants, casinos and hotels worldwide.
This model shows what the future holds for the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel complex in Bristol, Virginia.
The World’s Last Great Colosseum
Back in the hills outside of Bristol there were likely a few moonshiners who found themselves trying to outrun the law. Eventually those chases led to the sport of stock car racing, the one thing most people think of when they think of Bristol. Several times each year, tens of thousands of people flock to the Bristol Motor Speedway where the deafening roar of the engines rev up fans at the World’s Fastest Half Mile and fuel a week-long celebration in the city of everything motorsports.
Bristol Motor Speedway is Bristol’s top attraction. In addition to the races, the track is open for tours and hosts a drive through light show during the holiday season.
Now, I will confess, I was never a NASCAR fan and even when I won tickets to the Bristol race years ago, I sold them. However, I finally decided to go to one of the shorter races and I was blown away with just how much fun the whole experience was. I especially like the Colossus TV, the largest of its kind in the world.
Racing runs through Bristol’s veins and throughout the year. Bristol Motor Speedway is at the center of it all. While you can catch a race, you can also take tours of the race track and during the holidays you can drive on the track while it’s all lit up with Christmas themed lights.
“The Castle” is a landmark located next to Tennessee High School and is home to the Tennessee High Vikings.
Another historic venue is known as “The Castle”. Built during the Great Depression, the city’s original Municipal Stadium is now a part of Tennessee High School not far from downtown. It hosts a number of sporting events each year and the “Music in the Castle” Marching Band Competition which has been held for nearly seven decades.
Mountains, a lake and a cave “oh my!”
Most of the shores of South Holston Lake are surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. The dam holding back the waters of the South Fork of the Holston River is one of the largest earthen dams in the world.
Bristol Caverns has been of one of the top attractions in the area since the 1940’s.
From the historic Solar Hill neighborhood, you get a glimpse of the outdoor playground that awaits you just a few miles outside the city limits. The high peaks of the lower end of the Blue Ridge Mountains create a nearly perfect backdrop to the classic “skyline” of Bristol. At the base of those mountains is South Holston Lake which covers more than 7500 acres. Sixty-percent of the lake’s shoreline is surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest making its natural setting a big draw for anglers and people just looking for some peaceful water recreation. For a great camping experience head to Little Oak in the Cherokee National Forest. For a picnic, visit one of the many parks and recreation areas in the area, or to get a view that will take your breath away, drive up to the top of South Holston Dam, one of the highest earthen dams in the world.
Another of Bristol’s magnificent wonders can be found 100 feet below the ground. Opened to the public in the 1940’s, Bristol Caverns still draws in tourists year-round. Stalactites, stalagmites and a formation known as the Bridal Veil help create an underground wonderland filled with surprises.
Planning your Bristol Vacation
Spending a long weekend in Bristol is a great idea any time of the year, but if you are planning on being there on a race weekend, be sure and book well in advance. While there are plenty of chain hotels along the Interstate, there are two hotels downtown, The Bristol Hotel, a boutique hotel that opened in 2018 and the Sessions Hotel a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel that 2020. Each hotel features a signature restaurant and places to enjoy live music.
If you are into RV camping, you will find several campgrounds near Bristol Motor Speedway, Observation Knob Park on South Holston Lake and at Sugar Hollow Park on the Virginia side of town. Of course, the campground at Little Oak inside the Cherokee National Forest is a great place to camp, but it is about a 30 minute drive from downtown.
Check out even more of what Bristol has to over at discoverbristol.org .
Learn more about the Bristol Casino at hardrockhotelcasinobristol.com.
Other places you might want to check out near Bristol:
Abingdon - A charming and historic town that is home to the State Theater of Virginia, The Barter and the magnificent Martha Washington Inn.
Virginia Creeper Trail - This national trail that was once an old rail line is extremely popular now for cyclists, horseback riders and hikers alike.
Virginia State Parks in SW Virginia - From one of the deepest canyons in the eastern U.S. to a beach on a mountain lake, state parks in the region provide plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
Marion - Located about 45 minutes from Bristol, this charming town is home to the historic Lincoln Theater and Hungry Mother State Park.
