Bristol, Virginia Is One Of The Only Cities In America Whose Main Street Is Shared Between Two States

There's something so alluring about the idea of being in two places at once. While this isn't a likely scenario, you can stand on State Street in Bristol and technically be visiting Virginia and Tennessee at once. This small downtown district in the very southwestern corner of Virginia is shared by both states and, as you might imagine, results in some friendly rivalry between the two sides. Here's more on why you'll love your visit to this unique Virginia location:

Welcome to Bristol, Virginia, a city so close to its twin city, also named Bristol, that the two have nearly converged.

The state line between Virginia and Tennessee runs directly through downtown, resulting in the only downtown in the U.S. divided between two states.

Despite the fact that the two cities are independently run, they do share several things in addition to their name: a library, water system, emergency medical services, and the utility bill for the giant sign that hangs over State Street.

Friendly rivalry emerges each year during the high school football teams, with each Bristol team hoping to bring home the victory for its state.

State tourism embraces this shared identity, and the town is often referred to as Bristol, TN-VA. Visit this unique corner of the world and you'll find the true Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol Motor Speedway, and South Holston Lake.

You'll also find an impressive selection of food to enjoy during your trip to Bristol. Burger Bar, which is on the Virginia side, is an iconic stop for diner-style dinners.

So no matter which side of the state line you should find yourself, you're bound to be charmed by these spirited twin cities.

Have you been to Bristol, Virginia or Bristol, Tennesse before? If so, we'd love to hear about your visit there! For more information, you can visit the official tourism website by clicking here.