5 Reasons to Join Thousands in Bristol This September
Not only can you be in two places at one time, but you can experience the best of Southern hospitality in Bristol, Virginia - or Bristol, Tennessee, depending on which side of Main Street you’re standing on. Either side delivers an unforgettable stay in the Birthplace of Country Music. Anytime of year is the perfect time to head to the Virginia Highlands snuggled deep within the Appalachian Mountains, but September draws thousands for the best music found on the planet. Begin planning early to claim your spot in Bristol.
The iconic Bristol sign at night
5. The Bristol Caverns | Explore far below the earth’s surface at Bristol Caverns. Paved, well-lighted walkways wind through the formations that take visitors 180 feet below. Formed some 200 million years ago, the caverns were used as an escape for Native Americans; watch the underground river wind through the pathways. Stalactites and stalagmites have grown together and massive columns will have you admiring nature’s beauty.
1157 Bristol Caverns Highway | Bristol TN
Open daily, year-round; tours available
4. Union 41 | Connecting family to farm, Union 41 serves the freshest of foods in the coolest of spaces. Located in a modern building that was originally opened in the late 1930s as a Greyhound bus station, nostalgia flavors the dining experience.
Chef Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire brings the flavor of her homeland St. Vincent and the Grenadines to her newest culinary endeavor. Inspired by her roots and her desire to create and bridge the gap between great food and fresh food, her dining experience is truly a melting pot of world flavors.
171 Piedmont Avenue | Bristol, VA
Reservations Recommended
Grilled Oysters at Union 41
3. The Ernest Tube Recording Studio | I’m not exactly sure how I thought vinyl records are produced, but my education on this process began the day I walked into Ernest Tube.
The Tube specializes in recording artists live and direct-to-lacquer. Inspired by the 1927 RCA-Victor Bristol recording sessions, engineers Clint Holley and Dave Polster have perfected the craft. Typically utilizing a minimalist amount of microphones, the Tube records artists similarly to how Alan Lomax or the 1927 RCA-Victor staff might have recorded famed musicians such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
After the session, the musician walks out with a playable 12” disc recording. The crew at the Tube will also digitize your lacquer recordings into high-resolution files on the spot.
And the coolest part, anyone can book the studio and walk out a recording artist.
152 Lee Street | Bristol, VA
For more information or to book your session today, please email Clint Holley or call (276) 494-0141. Available by appointment only.
Needle to Vinyl at Ernest Tube
2. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum | Honoring the 1927 Bristol Sessions, considered the “big bang of country music,” the museum tells the stories of Appalachian music and those who added voice and instrument to the rhythms. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the museum enlightens visitors on the rich musical heritage that was born in these mountains. With rotating exhibits and permanent artifacts on display—as well as a multitude of educational programs, events, and performances—there’s something for everyone inside the museum.
101 Country Music Way | Bristol, VA
Closed Mondays
General Admission | $13
Free Downtown Parking
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum
1. The Rhythm and Roots Reunion | Join the best of singers and songwriters in downtown Bristol as festival goers take over the downtown streets. Established in 2001, the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival celebrates Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia’s musical heritage. Showcasing the very best in Appalachian roots music and beyond, the event honors the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and their far-reaching influence on the soundtrack of today.
September 13-15, 2024
101 Country Music Way | Bristol, VA
Tickets currently on sale
General Admission Weekend Passes start at $135
