That 2016 Geico Jeopardy! commercial where the gecko visits Bristol was very effective advertising. From the moment my older daughter saw it, she started asking us to take her there. I can’t say that I blame her – where else can you visit a downtown district whose main thoroughfare also happens to be the state line? In any case, when we planned last summer’s Blue Ridge Highlands vacation, we were sure to add Bristol to the itinerary.
To be fair, Bristol is technically two cities, not one. Each side of the state line has its own schools and governing bodies, but they have officially and legally shared a name since the late 1800’s. Continue reading for our must-see sites in this unique destination.
State Street
For more than a century, one of the main tourist attractions has been crossing State Street on foot to travel from Virginia to Tennessee, or vice versa. State Street is home to a couple of visual dividers, and the Bristol Sign is the largest and flashiest (literally – it lights up at night). The sign has been in its current location since 1915, and the line “A Good Place to Live” was added in 1921 after it was announced as the winner of a town slogan contest.
Another iconic state line attraction is the brass markers that can be found embedded in the middle of the road from the 400 to 800 blocks of State Street. Just keep safety, speed, and pedestrian etiquette mind if you decide to snap a photo of one of the markers – there is definitely plenty of traffic coursing down State Street!
There are more subtle state line demarcations to watch out for, too. Check out the state abbreviations on this street sign:
While you’re on State Street, be sure to wander around and explore the businesses, shops, and restaurants.
We had lunch at 620 State in Tennessee, and I thoroughly enjoyed my sushi. We also did some souvenir shopping on the Virginia side at Cranberry Lane.
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum
While our exploration of State Street was a lot of fun, my favorite Bristol attraction was the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum is housed in a beautiful building at the intersection of Country Music Way, Moore Street, and Cumberland Street in Virginia, just a couple of blocks from State Street.
After purchasing tickets, visitors are guided to a theater to watch an introductory video. The video explains Bristol’s origins as the Birthplace of Country Music. Essentially, by the 1920’s the record industry was booming thanks to Thomas Edison’s turn-of-the-century phonograph invention. A music producer named Ralph Peer decided to broaden the music genres that his company offered by recording country music musicians who were willing to travel to Bristol. The result was the “Bristol Sessions”, which launched the careers of famous country acts like Jimmy Rogers, the Carter Family, and more, while introducing the world to country music in the process.
The remaining exhibits in the museum include Bristol Sessions listening opportunities, historical instruments and radio equipment, a working radio studio, and a karaoke-style booth where you can sing along with some of the most famous Bristol Sessions recordings (this was my favorite part!).
LOVEwork and Other Musical Art
Evidence of Bristol’s country music roots spill out of the museum and into the surrounding neighborhood. One such example is the cleverly themed LOVEwork located just half a block from State Street (which, along with several Welcome Center installations, is one of the closest of Virginia’s 300+ LOVEworks to another state). Bristol’s LOVEwork is a 3D mural that pays homage to its country music history with images of instruments, equipment, and other musical items.
Be sure to look for additional music-themed sculptures while wandering around town. Here are a couple of installations to find:
Blackbird Bakery
If you find yourself in the mood for a sweet treat while visiting Bristol, make sure to stop in at Blackbird Bakery. This establishment has been called the best bakery in Virginia on several different occasions and by various authorities. They are known for their doughnuts, but we opted to get multiple different desserts to share. All of them were delicious!
Other Options
The Blackbird Bakery was our last stop in Bristol before returning to our Damascus Airbnb, but there are other attractions available if you’d like to extend your stay in the twin cities. Here are some options:
- Dive into the world of NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Catch a show at the Paramount (pictured above)
- Head farther into the Tennessee side of Bristol to explore Bristol Caverns
- Visit Bristol, Tennessee’s Steele Creek Park to hike the trails, check out the nature center, or the enjoy seasonal splash pad, boat rentals, and train rides
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Bristol’s fun, quirky, state-straddling attractions definitely lived up to my daughter’s expectations. We’re glad we made the time to spend a few hours here during our vacation, and we hope you enjoy your visit, too!
Old Dominion for Young Virginians 