Things To Do In Bristol

Planned Pre-Convention Group Activities

 

Guided Fly Fishing

Creeper Trail Bike Ride

  • Enjoy the sport of fly fishing (or conventional fishing) on a guided boat trip on the South Holston or Watauga Rivers. October is the best time to fish in the area and fills up months in advance. Do not wait to reserve this activity.

  • Each boat is $400 and holds 2 plus the guide, $200 per angler. The half-day trip includes five hours of catch-and-release fishing, transportation from the hotel to the river, equipment, drinks, snacks, and transportation back to the hotel.

  • Sunday, October 13th – Depart Hotel @ 7:00 AM // Arrive Hotel about 1:30 PM

DIY at AR Workshop

  • Create an on-trend home decor item from raw materials - wood signs, canvas pillows, pillows, wood framed signs, bottle openers, and more! Just a short 5-minute walk from the hotel to State Street where you can bring out your inner creative self. You will have the opportunity to choose your project and leave with a finished item to display at your home or your store. All the materials and instructions are provided and you get to leave the mess behind! Food and drink can be arranged to bring in to enjoy while you are DYI’ing it!

  • Price will depend on what project you choose - starting at $25 for candle pour and up to $200 for corn hole boards.

  • Sunday, October 13 – epart Hotel at @11:45AM // Arrive at Hotel about 2 PM

  • Ride the world-famous 17-mile downhill on the Virginia Creeper Trail during the most beautiful time of year. We will begin in Damascus, VA (about 30 minutes from the hotel) to rent bikes and catch a shuttle to the top of the trail, Whitetop Station, for an easy 17-mile ride back to Damascus. The trail is crushed limestone and cinders left over from the train days. This is an easy ride and good for those who have not ridden for years. There are restrooms at mile 3 and mile 13 and should take about 3 hours for a leisure ride. We should take our time and enjoy the many beautiful places to stop and take it all in.

  • Price including shuttle and bike rental $39.99 plus sales tax.

  • Sunday, October 13th – Depart Hotel @ 8:30 AM // Arrive Hotel about 1:15 PM

Golf

  • Tee it up at The Golf Club of Bristol, founded in 1894 and considered the birthplace of organized golf in Tennessee. With some of the most well-manicured fairways and greens in the area, it's one of the longest-running clubs in the country and still recognized as one of the best courses in the state.

  • We are working to gather more information.

  • Sunday, October 13 – We are working to gather more information.

Please contact members@nifda.net if you have any questions about these pre-convention activities. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know which of these pre-convention group activities you’re interested in when you register.

 

Places to Visit

Attractions

  • The Birthplace of Country Music Museum: A Smithsonian-affiliated museum in the heart of downtown Bristol explores the history of country music with the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings and the region’s musical heritage through interactive exhibits and experiences.

  • Bristol Motor Speedway: The loudest, and most exciting track in NASCAR, BMS draws race fans internationally for the fastest half mile in the racing world. Its tight turns and steep banks make it arguably the most challenging racetrack in all of NASCAR.

  • South Holston Lake & Rivers: Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, the outdoor beauty is in full effect as you take in a day on this 7,500 acre lake. The North and South Holston Rivers are home to some of the best fly fishing in the world, but equally perfect for kayaking or tubing excursions.

  • Downtown Bristol: Our famous downtown is a perfect way to spend time taking in unique historical and shopping experiences. There is even a guided walking tour of downtown that will take your through important landmarks such as The Paramount Center for the Arts, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the historic Bristol Train Station, and the famous Bristol Sign that straddles the state line of Tennessee and Virginia.

  • Pins & Friends - a fun-filled destination located in the center of Downtown Bristol, TN. As the name states, it’s a duckpin bowling alley that also features vintage arcade and pinball games to enjoy. They also have a full restaurant menu that offers food and drink options. Pins & Friends is a great atmosphere for fun and games for the entire group!

  • Axe and Ale House – it’s not just a restaurant, bar, axe-throwing venue, or arcade, but all four in one! With a separate quiet dining area, unique bar setting, axe lanes, small arcade, and large reservable party room, we have a space for everyone in your group! With high-quality ingredients and hand-held convenience, its menu aims to have something for everyone while making it easy to enjoy some fun. The options for axe lane rentals include single-lane, multi-lane, or group space pricing. Or you can join one of the weekly leagues for added competition.

  • Historic Strides of Bristol Walking Tour

  • Bank Street Mural – This interactive mural with QR codes and audio links allows visitors to explore each of the 12 featured gems of the Bristol region. The mual is located on Bank Street, just to the left of the Parmount Theatre. Be sure to tag #bankstreetmural and #explorebristol in your selfies and photos. 

  • Appalachian Caverns - The Appalachian Caverns is the largest show cave in Northeast Tennessee. Check out the walking tours or be adventurous and take the wild adventure tours, guaranteed to get you muddy. 

  • Bristol Caverns - One of the region’s largest and most stunning caverns, Bristol Caverns takes visitors along the banks of the ancient Underground River that carved the spectacular caverns from the hard core of the earth 200 to 400 million years ago.

  • Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards – take a vineyard tour or visit the tasting room to enjoy a wine tasting of the five varietals grown here (Viognier, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc), visit the 13-acre vineyard

  • Miles of hiking and biking trails, whitewater adventures, and plenty of wildlife

Craft Beer & Distilleries


Restaurants & Bars

  • The Corner – bar food that’s anything but boring – wings, sliders, tacos, burgers, and appetizers

  • 620 State – upscale casual spot with eclectic menu serving steaks, sushi, stir fry, and more

  • Blackbird Bakery – doughnuts, pastries, desserts, and specialty coffees

  • Bloom – new American restaurant for Fri/Sat dinner and weekend brunch

  • Delta Blues BBQ – Memphis-inspired BBQ restaurant on State Street

  • Bristol Bagel & Bakery – locally-owned bakery with daily soups, desserts, and coffees

  • Blended Peddler – acai bowls, smoothies, cold brews, and loaded toast

  • Machiavelli’s – locally-owned authentic homemade pastas, calzones, and pizzas

  • Southern Churn – sweet shop serving homemade fudge, chocolates, ice cream, and candy

  • Southern Craft – smoked meats and favorite BBQ sides inside The Sessions Hotel

  • The Angry Italian – Chicago-style pizza, sandwiches, and Italian favorites

  • Eatz on Moore Street – fried chicken, meatloaf, collard greens, cornbread and catfish

  • Union 41 – open-air kitchen featuring jerk chicken, wood-fired beef, and grilled oysters

  • Vivian’s Table – small-batch brews and scratch-made regional fare inside The Bristol Hotel

  • State Line Bar & Grill – burgers, steaks, chicken, quesadillas in a fun atmosphere

  • Bistro on 6th – farm-to-table menu with Southern roots and global influences

  • Burger Bar – yummy burgers with funny names, in business since 1942