With marine heritage, waterfront parks and magnificent mansions, Bristol is a charming town where Rhode Island’s history and scenery are intertwined. Spread across 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) of a pretty, tree-lined peninsula, Bristol has miles of coastline fringing a large harbor. Dine at excellent portside restaurants, make the most of the harbor’s kayak trails or sail around the bay on a luxury cruise. Bristol is home to America’s oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities.
Whether you arrive at Bristol by sea or by land, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty of exciting activities for your stay. Visiting boaters can moor in Bristol Harbor at the heart of downtown Bristol. Stroll around the harbor’s edge and take in the views of the calm, sheltered waters dotted with yachts and dinghies. The harbor has departure points for local ferries and sightseeing cruises. Take a tour around Narragansett Bay and visit nearby Prudence Island. The Herreshoff Marine Museum is a great place to learn about the region’s rich maritime heritage.
In downtown Bristol you’ll find a beautiful collection of historic buildings on spacious streets. Check out work by artists from Bristol and beyond at the Bristol Art Museum. The town also has a collection of galleries, craft stores and antiques shops, where you can hunt for locally made treasures. Experience some of Rhode Island’s historic grandeur at the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum.
Be sure to check out historic Hope Street if you visit during the peak of summer. This street hosts exciting open-air concerts and fun-filled events in the 2 weeks leading up to the Fourth of July and America’s oldest annual parade.
Admire views of the waterfront and the setting sun from Colt State Park in Narrangansett Bay. You can also see stunning coastal views along the East Bay Bike Path, a former rail trail that connects Independence Park to East Providence in northern Rhode Island.
Reach Bristol via the interstate freeway that connects Rhode Island to Massachusetts. Providence’s domestic airport is 26 miles (41.8 kilometers) away. Bristol’s spacious parks, picturesque waterfront and active arts community make it a great destination year-round.
