The Bristol center point is around the area of State Street Bristol, VA/TN and the area of Paramount Center for the Arts.
Spring is the optimal time to visit Bristol, as the winter temperatures wear off and the city begins to blossom — both with tourists and the surrounding foliage. Most of the day, you'll enjoy 60- to 70-degree weather, although it does cool off at night. If you're planning on booking a room, be aware that there won't be any vacancies the weekend of the Food City 500. To attend this event and stay in a hotel in the city, book several months in advance.
From May through August, the city hosts many visitors from around the country. Many of these tourists enjoy the 80-degree weather that graces the area, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot. Rain is almost always in the forecast at least once a week during this time, so make sure to pack your raincoat. Book hotel accommodation early to get the hotel of your choice at a price that fits your budget.
If you can brave colder temperatures, winter is a perfect time to set off into the city. Temperatures rarely go below freezing and hover between 35 and 55 degrees. With a warm coat, you won't have to shiver as you wander through the streets and parks of Bristol. Booking a hotel room is straightforward during this season, and if you're a bargain hunter, you'll feel right at home from December through February.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in Bristol, when the foliage starts to change colors, providing a picturesque backdrop to this quaint Tennessee town. September generally has temperatures around 80 degrees, but the highs usually fall to about 55 or 60 during November. Demand for hotel rooms goes down following the burst of tourism in the summer, so you can often find a room at your choice hotel at an amazing price.
Bargain hunters will love the hotel options in Bristol thanks to a number of places that offer discounts to AAA members, AARP members, seniors, and military personnel. At the Comfort Inn in Bristol, AAA and AARP members with a valid membership card will enjoy 10 percent off their accommodation. Once you check-in to your hotel room, you'll be immersed with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a flat-panel television with cable programming, premium bedding for a comfortable night's sleep, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a coffee maker to jolt you to life each morning.
Once you take a shower and get ready for the day, enjoy a free hot breakfast with eggs, sausage, and bacon. Other on-site amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a business center for travelers to field emails and other tasks when they're out of the office.
Why spend extra money on amenities if you don't have to? That's what makes the value and mid-range hotels in Bristol so appealing. At the Hilton Garden Inn in Bristol, for instance, you can enjoy an attractive hotel in a beautiful natural setting. With a stay here, you're right near fantastic shopping and dining options, although the Garden Grille can prepare your breakfast, lunch, or dinner without having to leave the hotel. You can also take advantage of the outdoor patio, pool, and fitness center throughout your stay.
No trip to Bristol is complete without a visit to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian, this museum houses exhibits, artifacts, and other memorabilia from the famed Bristol Sessions, which took place starting with Jimmie Rodgers in 1927. More than just a memorabilia museum, this facility also educates visitors on the advanced recording techniques used at the time and how they shaped the country music sound over the next 50 years.
Racing enthusiasts love Bristol almost as much as they love Indianapolis or Daytona. Each year, 200,000 people flock to the Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500, which is one of NASCAR's most famous events. Even if there isn't a race, you can take a tour of the facility and stand on the track that many drivers conquered on their way to Victory Lane. The track also hosts a glut of other events throughout the year, including last year's border rivalry college football game between Virginia Tech and the University of Tennessee.
Keeping with the tradition of the city's music heritage, Bristol has many live music events that are worth attending. From April through October, the city has several free concerts in the historic downtown area. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion takes place the third weekend in September each year, so if you're into live music, plan on attending.
If you're going to hang out for the live music, you may as well stroll through the streets of downtown Bristol. Here you will find plenty of shopping, dining, entertainment, and a few microbreweries that concoct some of the best beer you've ever tasted. The Arts & Entertainment District is another part of downtown home to over 30 local artisans that make artwork for you to take home or take a look at in amazement. In addition, public artwork lines the streets to provide an ambiance unlike any other.
No matter where you decide to stay in Bristol, you're right near all of the biggest and most famous attractions the city has to offer. Book a hotel today so you can start to work on your itinerary for a trip that you won't soon forget.
Below are reviews of the city of Bristol, TN from an actual visitor's perspective.
Country music museum was very interesting, well laid out, good displays. Like all museums they had labels to be read, but you did not feel overwhelmed by them like most places. The gentleman roving around the place was humorous and enlightening, and added to the experience.
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Our second time coming to Bristol for the Rhythm and Roots reunion. Love this place!
We spent the night, left early the next morning. We felt safe there, and the Fairfield Inn was right at the exit of the interstate.
Near the casino!
Thunder Valley Dragway, raced there Sat. night, Tenn. people are very welcoming and friendly! Love all the mountains!
It's historic roots. And all the people we met.
Casino!
Christmas display at racetrack was awesome!
Good places to eat and things to do in town!
Clean town with lots of restaurants available for travelers.
Nice area. Lot of restaurants.
We have family there and
Bristol is a great place, although we really wasn't there for Bristol as much as for Select Care.
Every single person was kind, helpful and respectful.
Casino
Very unpretentious and beautiful mountain foothills setting.
The history surrounding the city. I loved the Birthplace of Country Music Museum; watching the video and seeing all the old photos almost puts you back to that time. Excellent job with the presentation.
The Country Music Museum, downtown stores and restaurants!
Shopping and dining.