Bristol is a twin city located right on the state line of Tennessee and Virginia. You can GPS yourself to either Bristol, TN or Bristol, VA and end up on the same street. State Street, that is.
State Street runs through the heart of both cities’ shared downtown and is full of shops, restaurants, breweries, and historical sites.
Bristol is also part of the greater Tri-Cities region along with Kingsport, TN and Johnson City, TN and is about halfway between Knoxville, TN and Roanoke, VA.
Bristol became a city in the 1850s when the son of a local pastor learned two major railroads would convene at this site. He quickly rushed in to build a home, register as the town post office, and open a general store.
Forty acres of the new city were located in Tennessee, and fifty-two acres were across state lines in Virginia. The Virginia side had a couple different names like Goodsonville and Goodson before adopting Bristol, the name that made it famous.
Country Music History
Speaking of fame, Bristol is unquestionably most famous for being the Birthplace of Country Music. The United States Congress even declared as much in 1998.
Leading up to that, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance had been working hard since 1994 to build on the city’s reputation and historical significance in developing the country music genre, and continues that great work still.
Some of the first country albums to be commercially recorded took place in Bristol featuring the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. It was 1927, and while country music was nothing new, studio quality albums were. These recordings were called the Bristol Sessions, and are credited for being the “Big Bang” of country music.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
In 2014, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum opened in honour of the Bristol Sessions and to celebrate all the ways it has influenced music and artists ever since.
Visitors can peruse a collection of permanent and rotating exhibits, a performance theatre, and its very own radio station that you can listen to live or stream online.
The museum has won many esteemed awards such as USA Today’s “Best Pop Culture Museum” and it is an official affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute. The great legend Johnny Cash is often quoted to have said that the Bristol Sessions are “the single most important event in the history of country music.”
Since 2001, the Birthplace of Country Music has also hosted the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, and the museum’s gift shop serves as an ongoing merch booth for the festival.
If you are lucky, you can catch a live performance or jam session during your visit.
Other Museums and historic sites in Bristol include the 1902 Bristol Train Station, the Birthplace of Bristol native Tennessee Ernie Ford, and some other historic homes.
Then 1925 Bristol Hotel and its rooftop bar, Lumac’s, is one of the most iconic places to relax and spend the night. Next door is the Earnest Tube Recording Studio.
Cumberland Square Park & Veteran’s Memorial is a four acre green space full of sculptures and Vietnam-era airplanes on display.
The historic 1931 Paramount Theatre and its glorious Wurlitzer organ are staples of entertainment in Bristol.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
[UPDATE: NOW CLOSED] Bloom was our pick for breakfast, and still holds its position as my favourite place to eat throughout our trip.
The simple elegance of its décor, abundant plants, and combination of my favourite gold, green, and black hues were what first caught my attention.
Then we saw the menu! We sat right at the chef’s counter and watched staff prepare some of the most beautiful dishes before choosing the Hot Chicken biscuit with a fried egg and gravy, a side salad, and a breakfast burrito.
Everything about this meal was perfect, down to the last crumb.
The tater tots are super golden and crispy and we sampled a selection of their housemade sauces.
You can order a sangria flight if you have trouble deciding which one you want to try first, or if you just decide today is the day you get everything you want.
[UPDATE: NOW CLOSED] Bear Neccessiteas has a spacious patio but we opted stay inside out of the heat, and watched the staff bake their own bread.
You can get all sorts of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks here.
Bristol Bagel & Bakery has even more fantastic baked goods. Our favourite was the Red Velvet bagel.
Blackbird Bakery is one of the most popular and busy places downtown. The line was out the door and down the sidewalk for quite a while!
Their dessert cases really pack a punch with everything from pies, cakes, tarts, cookies, brownies, and specialty bars.
The Original Burger Bar is famous for being the last known place Hank Williams Sr. was seen alive in 1952, a full decade after it opened.
We were already full and did not eat there during our visit, but Burger Bar is at the top of my list for next time.
Seems like our kind of place.
Other foodie hotspots downtown include the Bistro on 6th, Vivian’s Table, the Old Lighthouse Diner, and Union 41 which had its Grand Opening while we were in town [NOW CLOSED…GEESH]
We had a blast hanging out and escaping the sun at State Street Brewing Company [ALSO CLOSED NOW WTF?]
Life saving AC, vivid murals, interactive games, a hearty menu, and even a specialty tea bar for those who do not drink alcohol are just a few features that make this place special.
I was really impressed with their selection of teas, far and above the generic old black coffee most bars keep in the back for sober folk. I enjoy imbibing icy craft beers myself, but it shows that they care about and cater to all of their clients.
Lost State Distilling, Michael Waltrip Brewing Co, Cootie Brown’s, Holston River Brewing Co, Cascade, and Delta Blues are a few more places to hang out, try new brews, and hear live music.
Shopping, as much as I complain about it, was actually my main purpose for this trip. Believe it or not.
I had caught wind that one of my favourite artists, Little Bubby Child, had started selling his wares at Holler House, and I had to go.
Holler House is your new go-to for all things Neo-Appalachian. In addition to scooping up my favourite Little Bubby Child print and a few stickers, I fell in love with a collection of suede-like postcards featuring a variety of forbidden cats and trash animals.
Each drawing is in black and white with gold accents and subtle additions of florals and cult imagery. Oh, I just gushed about how much I adored it all to the guy working behind the counter, only to find out he is the artist, and this is his shop.
Be sure to check Brian Serway’s art and buy everything you can at Holler House to support local makers.
Cheap Thrills Records & Wiseman’s Western were a lot of fun and came with a few surprises that I will let you discover for yourself.
Gwen’s Herb Shop, Somewhere in Thyme Herbals, Misty Mountain Designs, and other boutiques fill in the unique architecture that lines State Street.
Murals are all over the place in Bristol, so keep your eyes open when passing alleys and parking lots.
One of the coolest ones is in tribute to Bristol’s railroad history and the historic train station.
Downtown Central, home of the Bristol Farmer’s Market, has an awesome mural backing its parking lot.
Look up and around you as you explore State Street or you will miss out.
Bristol is a major hub for NASCAR and home of the Bristol Motor Speedway, so there is a lot of tourism and memorabilia to thrill any racing and NASCAR fans.
Steele Creek Park is a beautiful nature center along the Steele Creek Park Lake, with hiking trail trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, fitness courses, and access for paddleboards and kayaks.
The park features an indoor wildlife center where you can observe turtles, frogs, and other reptiles, as well as fish up close.
A collection of taxidermized animals and infographics line the walls and fill the curio cabinets so you can learn about all the local species.
Other interesting sites around Bristol include the South Holston Dam, Bristol Caverns, and the Bristol Casino, but we will be saving that for another visit.
In the area for a while? Follow me to Jonesboro, Johnson City, Greeneville, Morristown, Rogersville, Grandfather Mountain, Boone, or Blowing Rock!
******
© Copyright Fernwehtun, 2015- Current. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Fernweh, An Ache for Distant Places 
Leave a comment