About Bristol
Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 27,147 at the 2020 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. Bristol, TN and Bristol, VA are two separate, though unified, twin cities. They share a unified metropolitan area, meaning they function as one community with a shared State Street as their main dividing line, but have separate governments, police departments, and libraries. It is a principal city in the Kingsport–Bristol metropolitan area, which had a population of 307,614 in 2020. The metro area is a component of the larger Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia, with a population of 508,260 in 2020.
Places to visit in Bristol
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Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Museum · 2 mi from centreA Smithsonian-affiliated museum on the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, which helped launch commercial country music, with interactive exhibits, listening stations and a radio station on site.
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State Street
NeighborhoodBristol's main street straddles the Tennessee and Virginia state line, marked by a famous lighted sign overhead, with shops, restaurants and live music venues along the way.
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Bristol Motor Speedway
Entertainment · 5 mi from centreA short, steeply banked NASCAR track with a huge seating capacity, offering tours on non-race days and loud, crowded race weekends that draw fans from across the country.
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Bristol Caverns
NatureA cave system just outside town, explored on guided walks along paved paths past limestone formations and an underground river that once carved the passages.
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South Holston Lake
Nature · 7 mi from centreA clear mountain reservoir near Bristol, popular for boating, swimming and lakeside camping, while the river below the dam is a well-known destination for trout fishing.
Best time to visit Bristol
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bristol is August and October, when average daytime highs are around 70–84°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Bristol weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 72° 41° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 70° 42° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 72° 42° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 70° 43° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 70° 42° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 68° 44° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Bristol
These are the airports closest to central Bristol. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- TRI Tri-Cities Regional Airport13 mi (22 km) from the city centre
Getting around Bristol
Public transportation is available to a limited portion of the city via a municipal bus system.
Bristol travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bristol?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bristol is August and October, when average daytime highs are around 70–84°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
What is the weather like in Bristol?
July is usually the warmest month in Bristol, with average highs of 87°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 24°F (-4°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 166 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Bristol?
Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) is the closest airport, about 13 miles (22 km) from the centre of Bristol.
What time zone is Bristol in?
Bristol uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Bristol?
Public transportation is available to a limited portion of the city via a municipal bus system.
What are the best places to visit in Bristol?
Top sights in Bristol include Birthplace of Country Music Museum, State Street, Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Caverns. A Smithsonian-affiliated museum on the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, which helped launch commercial country music, with interactive exhibits, listening stations and a radio station on site.
