Around here, you're never far from kayaking, hiking, back-road cycling, and trophy trout fishing. Experience a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway, golf on rolling hills, and shop for whatever catches your fancy. From hands-on museums to master storytellers, a place of great history beckons the imagination. The site of the first permanent American settlement outside the 13 original colonies is here.

And festivals are everywhere! One celebrates the gorgeous rhododendron, another the humble apple. And most include some of the nation’s finest Americana, old-time, celtic, country, bluegrass, and gospel music. After all, this is a land where country music was born and where mountain music thrives.