When I journeyed back from Nashville, I stopped by the city of Bristol, which lines both Tennessee and Virginia through State Street.
Bigger metropolitan areas typically get more attention, but I want to share my experience with Bristol as a place to stop along the way. There’s history, cool art, good places to see, and good places to eat.
I grew up admiring the city as the host of Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCAR racing. So I’m happy to highlight Bristol with this guide and information.
A City Between Two States
Bristol overlaps two states: Tennessee and Virginia. State Street represents the border between the two states and it also represents the main thoroughfare of downtown Bristol.
GEICO has shown the ability to go back and forth between the two states with its commercial. Check it out below.
And this is a real thing. The Virginia/Tennessee marker isn’t photo-shopped. There are several of these medal markers along State Street, and I was that guy who took a picture of me within both states.
I was also the guy who halted traffic for a second or two to capture this picture 🙈.
Bristol’s Backstory
Bristol has a long history, starting before the Revolutionary War as a trading post and fort and changing names through the growth of railroads before its name stood solidly as Bristol in 1890.
People consider Bristol to be the birthplace of country music because in 1927, a series of recordings called the Bristol Sessions launched the country music movement. I learned about it thanks to my visit to the Johnny Cash Museum, and signs talking about the Bristol Sessions line State Street.
Bristol is also known for motor racing at Bristol Motor Speedway near the town.
Thunder Alley
NASCAR (short for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) usually races twice a year at Bristol Motor Speedway, and the cars are LOUD. This is why the speedway is nicknamed Thunder Alley.
Although the track is slightly more than half a mile, the steep banking allows for faster racing than flatter tracks like Martinsville.
Growing up, I loved watching the night race each summer. The racing was fast, the passes for the lead were amazing, and each race was like a demolition derby. I’ll never forget the infamous spinning out of Terry Labonte by Dale Earnhardt. I still think it was a dirty move, but Earnhardt was always a tough, aggressive racer.
Racing is definitely a major draw to Bristol, but the speedway has also hosted a football game
The stadium seats hold more than 150,000 people, and they sit all around the track. Sadly, the April 2020 race was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but hopefully the 2020 night race will roar through Thunder Alley.
Bristol’s light-up sign
Bristol has a really cool light-up sign that State Street passes under. It’s so notable that the state of Virginia declared it a historical landmark.
Then there’s a really cool art piece on the Virginia side of State Street. If you can get both in the picture, like I did below, then you’re reaching expert level Influencer. Check it out below!
Music and artwork
There’s also some really cool artwork in Bristol. Check out the pictures above and below paying homage to Bristol’s musical heritage.
Quaker Steak and Lube
One of the main reasons why I stopped in Bristol was to have dinner, and I found an amazing restaurant on State Street: Quaker Steak and Lube.
Noting Bristol’s history of motor racing, the restaurant sports automotive-themed decor all over: pictures of races and drivers, racing flags, gas pumps, license plates, and even the exterior of a car hanging upside down with a flame paint job.
The restaurant name pun-tastically combines the motor oil Quaker State, delicious steak, and lubricant needed on cars.
Quaker Steak and Lube is known best for its wings, so I ordered two different types of wings, mozzarella sticks, and a strawberry lube-n-ade (a squeezed and shaken flavored lemonade is the best way I describe it).
I enjoyed the whole meal and the decorations are amazing inside.
After my meal, it was time to continue east on my journey back to the East Coast.
Check out Bristol
To access State Street going southbound on Interstate 81, take Exit 3 onto I-381 South to Bristol, and then turn left on State Street. Going northbound, take Exit 1 onto U.S. Route 58/Route 421 to Bristol/Gate City, which merges into State Street.
I hope this post has been helpful, and save this post for later when you go on your future travels!
If you’re curious, check out my post on Nashville for food and drink options I explored earlier in the same road trip that I visited Bristol.