Going back more than 150 years, Bristol has proudly been known as both a lively place to visit and “A Good Place to Live.” Its main thoroughfare, State Street, is uniquely divided by the state lines of Virginia and Tennessee and is celebrated as the Birthplace of Country Music. It was here in 1927 that talent scout Ralph Peer made the first commercially produced country music recordings – the famous Bristol Sessions – now recognised worldwide as the ‘Big Bang’ of the genre.
Today the state line still runs through the heart of Historic Downtown, where visitors will find a wealth of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Steeped in cultural and musical heritage, the district continues to shape the region’s arts scene, featuring more than 30 artisans across six blocks. While proudly honouring its country music roots, Bristol’s Arts & Entertainment District embraces creativity in all its forms, from the traditional to the wonderfully quirky.