With more than 30 parks and recreational venues and the overwhelming natural beauty of the area, Bristol offers many opportunities for both nature and sports enthusiasts. Bristol residents have the luxury of experiencing all four seasons while enjoying the national forests, clean lakes, beautiful parks and mountains surrounding the twin city. Bristol also offers many community events and attractions.
Residents and visitors enjoy many recreational activities such as swimming,water-skiing, boating and fishing in the sparkling waters of South Holston, Boone, Patrick Henry and Watauga lakes. Others enjoy exploring the natural wonders of the area such as Bristol Caverns, Appalachian
Caverns and the Appalachian Trail. The country Club of Bristol, Steele Creek Golf Course, Tri-Cities Golf Club, The Virginian, The Olde Farm and the recently opened City of Bristol, Virginia's Clear Creek Golf Course and residential development offer a variety of course designs for the golf lover. Visit the Clear Creek Golf Course website at Clear Creek Golf . The Virginian Golf Course's residential development has been ranked as one of the 18 best places in America to live by the Robb Report Magazine.
In the winter, the recreational focus moves to the ski slopes. Several major ski resorts are located within an hour's drive of Bristol.
Bristol is home to Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway, two of the nation's top motorsports venues. Bristol Motor Speedway, commonly referred to as "The World's Fastest Half-Mile," yearly plays host to more than 180,000 fans for each of its two NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series race weekends. In addition to NASCAR racing at BMS, the venue also stages concerts and a wide variety of community events. During the holiday season, Bristol Motor Speedway hosts Fantasy in Lights. The annual holiday light show boasts more than 1 million lights along a 4.5-mile drive with proceeds from the event going to the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.
Bristol Dragway, or "Thunder Valley" as many call it, is home to the NHRA's Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals. The annual NHRA drag racing event draws thousands of fans each spring. Racers from the region also compete in weekly bracket racing competition at the venue.
Bristol is also recognized by the Country Music Association as the birthplace of country music. The first commercially and nationally successful country music stars, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, made their first recordings in Bristol. Many organizations in the Bristol area host concerts and showcase exhibits to highlight this noteworthy aspect of the community.
In October 2001, Bristol hosted the First Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion, a weekend-long music festival celebrating Bristol's musical heritage and continuing the revitalization of Downtown Bristol. Between five and seven thousand people filled State Street, Bristol, Virginia's War Memorial Park and Bristol, Tennessee's Anderson Park to hear country, gospel, bluegrass, and roots music played live just blocks from the location of the original Bristol Sessions. Downtown restaurants, coffeeshops, and saloons provided visitors with a chance to hear music in smaller, more intimate venues. Impromptu jams on State Street gave local musicians a chance to perform some of the homemade music that made Bristol a destination for Ralph Peer in 1927. The First Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion demonstrated the potential for success when local business, citizen volunteers, and the governments of the Twin Cities cooperate on a project. Rhythm & Roots Home Page
Bristol Virginia's Veteran's Memorial Park, located adjacent to the City Courthouse, was built to honor the veterans of all our nation's armed conflicts and provides a respectful and peaceful setting in the downtown area. The City of Bristol acquired a AH-1F aircraft for display in the park and it was emplaced in the park on August 2, 2002. Arrival pictures can be seen at http://www.bristolva.org/CobraArrival.htm. For pictures of the dedication ceremony click here......http://www.bristolva.org/CobraDedicationCeremony.htm For a live view of the Veterans Memorial Park, click here......
