Speed, Soul, & Shorelines

Start your day at Bristol Motor Speedway. If you are visiting on a non-race weekday, you can book a track tour of the iconic half-mile, which typically runs 45 to 55 minutes. If you are in town for a race weekend or another major event, let the Speedway be the main event and build the rest of your day around that energy.

Afterward, head into downtown Bristol for lunch at 620 State or Stateline Bar & Grill. Both 620 State and Stateline Bar & Grill are central fixtures in downtown Bristol, but they offer distinct dining experiences. While 620 State is known for its upscale casual Asian-fusion and sushi, Stateline Bar & Grill is a traditional pub environment focused on burgers, wings, and late-night entertainment.

Spend the rest of the afternoon in downtown Bristol. Start at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, where you can dig into the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, then browse The Local Merchants on State for regional makers and one-of-a-kind finds, alongside a variety of other downtown shops and eateries.

Wrap up the day near Boone Lake near Blountville with dinner at Boonies at Davis Marina. It is an easy way to end the day on the water and gives the day a very different feel from the spring routes, with more of a summer-evening, lakefront pace.