National Acclaim

Our residents place a high value on tradition, hard work and dedication to family and home. A rich history and numerous educational institutions continually shape our culture and feed our zest for life.

Some distinctions that have brought national recognition are:

Designation as “Birthplace of Country Music,” due to contributions to the music industry in the first decades of the 20th Century.  

Bristol Motor Speedway - “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile Oval” and one of the five largest sports arenas in the country, seating 160,000 race fans.

Barter Theatre in nearby Abingdon, one of the longest-running professional theaters in the country.

Storytelling Capital of the World in nearby Jonesborough, Tenn., home to the International Storytelling Center and National Storytelling Festival.