Bristol is known for NASCAR as it is home to one of the world’s greatest and most popular racetracks. Bristol Motor Speedway, which seats in excess of 150,000, hosts NASCAR Sprint Cup events in April and August and both draw fans from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries.
Music also gives Bristol a universal appeal as the city holds the honor of being named the Birthplace of Country Music by U.S. Congress in 1998. In 1927, the legendary Bristol Sessions took place in the downtown area, giving birth to the “Big Bang” of modern country music with the likes of The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers taking part in the historic occasion.
Visitors can tour both BMS and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, giving them a better understand of just how significant both are, not just to this region but worldwide.
Bristol isn’t just about music and racing, however. When it comes to outdoor beauty, there are few places that can compare to this area. The majestic Appalachian Mountains, coupled with South Holston Lake, offer visitors plenty of options for fishing, boating, hiking, camping, boating and much more.
The Twin Cities boast numerous parks, golf courses, spectacular caverns to go along with plenty of great restaurants – many of which are locally owned and operated – and wonderful shopping opportunities from downtown to The Pinnacle and The Falls.
Bristol is also rich in theater and arts and is home to the historic Paramount Center for the Arts, as well as Theatre Bristol. Numerous fine art galleries and studios of local artists can also be found in the downtown area.
If you’re a history buff, Bristol, which dates back to pre-American Revolutionary War times, has plenty to offer from its historic Train Station, used to transport soldiers during the Civil War, to the famous Bristol Sign, which denotes the Twin Cities as a “Good Place To Live”, to East Hill Cemetery, where both Confederate and Unions soldiers are buried.
