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There are many activities to enjoy in Bristol! From swimming, water-skiing, boating and fishing in the sparkling waters of South Holston, Boone, Patrick Henry and Watauga lakes to exploring the natural wonders of the area such as Bristol Caverns, Appalachian Caverns and the Appalachian Trail. The Country Club of Bristol, Steele Creek Golf Course, Tri-Cities Golf Club, The Virginian, The Farm, and the Clear Creek Golf Course, offer a variety of course designs for the golf lover. Over on the Tennessee side, Bristol is home to Bristol Motor Speedway, the "world's fastest half mile" and home to two races per year on the NASCAR circuit. The complex includes the Bristol Dragway, nicknamed "Thunder Valley," referencing the hills that echo the engine noise back toward the crowd.

And if you love country music, you will love Bristol too! The city has been recognized by the Country Music Association as the birthplace of country music - with the first commercially and nationally successful country music stars, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, making their first recordings here. The Carter Family Fold is a concert event held every Saturday evening that highlights the music style made popular by the Carter Family. In keeping with the traditional music style, no electrical instruments are allowed. The Carter Family Fold is part of the Carter Family Memorial Music Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of old-time, traditional country and mountain music. Rhythm & Roots Reunion -  a music festival dedicated to celebrating Bristol's music heritage and the continued revitalization of the downtown area, was first hosted by the city in October of 2001 and has continued annually ever since.

Another piece of Bristol's heritage is the Paramount Center of the Arts Theatre. For over a decade now, the Paramount has hosted everything from Broadway shows like "Annie Get Your Gun" to concerts by Hootie and the Blowfish and Emmylou Harris, and is also the home of several local organizations, including Theatre Bristol, the Piedmont Theatre Organ Society, the Bristol Ballet Company and the Bristol Concert Choir. Another unique feature of the Paramount is the fact that it sits right on the state line of Tennessee and Virginia.