Things To Do
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate that tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which are credited with bringing country music into the mainstream. There are multiple interactive exhibits, temporary special exhibits, and even a live radio show! The museum is located a short walk from the wedding venue in downtown Bristol.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
Located about 35 minutes from downtown Bristol, Bays Mountain truly has it all. The park features a beautiful lake with hiking trails, a nature center with a planetarium (be sure to check the website for planetarium show info), and an amazing collection of native animal habitats. The park also offers 45-minute barge rides where you can hear and observe water lilies, deer, raccoons, turtles, and occasionally beavers and bears!
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
The Hard Rock Casino is less than a ten-minute drive from downtown Bristol. The casino includes slots and standard table games. The hotel will open in late 2024 and feature over 300 rooms, multiple dine-in restaurants including a Hard Rock Cafe, live entertainment venues, and more!
Barter Theatre
The Barter Theatre in Abingdon is the longest-running professional theatre in the country. With multiple stages, the Barter puts on a wide variety of shows from Shakespeare to Shrek: the Musical.
Appalachian Caverns
Appalachian Caverns showcases the region's karst topography, formed primarily of limestone, that allows for caves and underground springs to form. Appalachian Caverns once housed Native Americans, regional pioneers, soldiers, and even moonshiners. There is a variety of different tours from guided walking to three-hour spelunking sessions. It is also home to seven different species of bat, including the endangered gray bat!
Brights Zoo
Brights Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals including birds of prey, cats, tortoises, caimans, monkeys, the country's only spotless giraffe, and more! They also do feedings with giraffes, budgies, and penguins.