Looking for coastal charm, historic homes, and patriotic flair? Head to Bristol! This quaint waterfront town on Rhode Island’s East Bay is known for its scenic harbor, classic New England architecture, and the oldest continuously celebrated Fourth of July parade in the United States. Whether you’re walking the waterfront, sailing Narragansett Bay, or enjoying seasonal festivals, Bristol offers relaxing charm year-round.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Bristol is from May through October. Spring and summer offer ideal weather for strolling, sailing, and outdoor dining. July is especially festive with the town's famous Independence Day celebration. Fall brings vibrant foliage and fewer crowds, while winter has a cozy small-town vibe.

How to Get There

  • By Car: Bristol is located off RI-114, about 30 minutes from Providence and 40 minutes from Newport or Fall River, MA.
  • By Air: The closest airport is T.F. Green Airport (PVD), located about 35–40 minutes away by car.
  • By Ferry: Seasonal ferries connect Bristol to other coastal towns, including Providence and Newport, during the summer months.

Where to Stay

  • Bristol Harbor Inn – Quaint waterfront inn located in downtown Bristol with easy access to shops, restaurants, and harbor views.
  • The Governor Bradford House B&B – Charming 1800s home with cozy rooms and a personal touch in a residential neighborhood.
  • William’s Grant Inn – Historic bed & breakfast known for its antique furnishings, welcoming hosts, and homemade breakfasts.

Top Attractions

Picnic, Bike, or Relax by the Bay at Colt State Park

Picnic, Bike, or Relax by the Bay at Colt State Park

© nduperre/stock.adobe.com

Colt State Park is a gorgeous public open space spanning 464 acres along Poppasquash Neck, located on land once owned by famed industrialist Samuel P. Colt. The charming park is a major section of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Poppasquash Farms Historic District and is located along the popular East Bay Bike Path. Several preserved structures from Colt's former estate are showcased throughout the park, including a pair of life-sized bull statues that stand on the park's Hope Street entrance. Hiking and cycling trails are offered at the park, along with a skate park, boat ramps, day-use picnic sites, an observation tower, and the open-air Chapel by the Sea facility. Each year, the park hosts the city's annual Fourth of July festivities and fireworks.

Route 114, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-7482

Stroll Through Gilded-Age Gardens at Blithewold Mansion

Stroll Through Gilded-Age Gardens at Blithewold Mansion

© Linda/stock.adobe.com

Blithewold preserves a beautiful 33-acre summer estate overlooking the stunning Narragansett Bay, which is nationally renowned as one of the United States' most intact examples of the County Place Era of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The estate's 45-room mansion is preserved with family heirlooms from its original owners, known as one of the best examples of completely preserved 19th-century New England estates that retain their original historic authenticity. Outside, gorgeous gardens range in character from poetic and whimsical to formal and elegant, showcasing collections of rare and unusual trees and plants. Exhibits within the mansion are updated twice a year and can be viewed as part of guided tours.

101 Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-2707

Step Into History at the Elegant Linden Place Mansion

Step Into History at the Elegant Linden Place Mansion

© Linden Place Mansion

Linden Place Mansion is a stunning Federal-style mansion in Bristol that was originally constructed in 1810 by slave trader General George DeWolf. The mansion, which was designed by architect Russell Warren, is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of Federal architecture in New England, showcasing gorgeous Palladian windows and fluted Corinthian columns that were inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece. Other design elements of note include a Gothic conservatory and a four-story spiral staircase. Visitors can explore the mansion as part of guided tours and hear tales of the DeWolf family's legacy in the Rhode Island region, including its connection to famed actress Ethel Barrymore. Outside, 1.8 acres of beautifully-landscaped gardens showcase Greek bronze statues and a preserved 18th-century gazebo.

500 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-0390

Explore Nature Hands-On at the Audubon Society Environmental Education Center

Explore Nature Hands-On at the Audubon Society Environmental Education Center

© Vinoverde/stock.adobe.com

Audubon Society Environmental Education Center is the award-winning environmental educational facility of the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, which spans 28 acres throughout the Bristol region. The facility, which is overseen by the Audubon Society, is home to a natural history museum that offers interactive exhibits on the region's local habitats and native wildlife. Visitors can interact with marine life from Narragansett Bay or step inside a 33-foot life-sized model of a North Atlantic right whale. Outside the museum, the center offers a variety of easy-difficulty walking trails, which meander through fresh and saltwater marshes and traverse a beautiful quarter-mile boardwalk.

1401 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-949-5454

Experience 18th-Century Farm Life at the Coggeshall Farm Museum

Experience 18th-Century Farm Life at the Coggeshall Farm Museum

© The Coggeshall Farm Museum

The Coggeshall Farm Museum is a nonprofit farm museum located within beautiful Colt State Park, preserving 48 acres of land that was once part of an 18th-century coastal tenant farm in the region operated by Wilbur and Eliza Coggeshall, the parents of University of Rhode Island founder Chandler Coggeshall. Visitors can explore the recreated farmstead and learn about daily farm life in the region's colonial era through a variety of live interpretation demonstrations and historic exhibits. Heritage-breed animals are displayed, along with heirloom and farm plantings. Visitors are welcome to get their hands dirty and participate in daily farm activities as part of the museum's hands-on visitor policy.

1 Colt Dr, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-9062

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Dig Into the Past at the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society

Dig Into the Past at the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society

© The Bristol Historical and Preservation Society

The Bristol Historical and Preservation Society preserves the social and cultural history of the Bristol region through a variety of historical exhibits, located within the city's 1828 jail building. The society was formed in 1936 within the Rogers Free Library building and moved to its current location in 1957 following a fire at the library building. Today, it showcases a wide variety of exhibits and collections, including collections of regional artwork, photographs, manuscripts and documents, furniture, and area newspapers. Special exhibits are offered throughout the year, along with special events such as lectures and luncheons. Museum tours are offered throughout the week, along with walking tours of the region's downtown district held on select Saturday mornings.

48 Court St, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-7223

Dine on Classic Italian Fare at Leo’s Ristorante

Dine on Classic Italian Fare at Leo’s Ristorante

© Leo's Ristorante

Leo's Ristorante was originally opened in Bristol in 1948 by the Mancieri family as a family-style Italian restaurant serving up classic traditional recipes. The restaurant, which is located within the city's historic downtown district, serves up delicious veal, chicken, and pasta entrees, including favorites like veal parmesan, chicken marsala, lobster mac and cheese, and tortellini alla Carolina. Award-winning gourmet white pizzas are also served up traditional-style or gluten-free, showcasing toppings like buffalo chicken, lemon, and caramelized onions on a white base tossed with olive oil and garlic. Homemade soups and salads round out the menu, along with delicious shareables like arancini balls and calamari rings.

2016, 365 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809, Phone: 401-253-9300

Browse Local Talent at the Bristol Art Museum

Browse Local Talent at the Bristol Art Museum

© Bristol Art Museum

There's a long history behind the Bristol Art Museum, and it starts in 1964 with three passionate Bristol natives: Margaret Nerone, Jill Pardee, and Marie Perry. It was these three women, who converted the Ballroom of the Linden Place into a functioning gallery space. With nine exhibits held yearly between June and October, this thriving gallery had attracted artists like Norman Rockwell, Frank Benson, and George DeForest among others. Many years later, the Bristol Art Museum is now home to 42 pieces of art in their permanent collection and features quarterly exhibits in their Community Galleries located at the Rogers Free Library.

10 Wardell Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809, Phone: 401-253-4400

Visit the Scenic and Historic Grounds of Mount Hope Farm

Visit the Scenic and Historic Grounds of Mount Hope Farm

© Mount Hope Farm

Mount Hope Farm welcomes visitors to its 127-acre property to enjoy leisurely walks, rest and relax at their historic inn, or explore all of the farm's historical charms. Not only is the farm an accredited arboretum, but it's also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which guarantees that the farm is full of natural, cultural, and historical character. At the farm, guests can visit historic landmarks like the 1745 Governor Bradford House which boasts five amazing centuries of history, the Cove Cabin, which offers great views of Mount Hope Bay, or drop by a Farmers Market which usually takes place on Saturday mornings.

250 Metacom Avenue (Route 136), Bristol, Rhode Island 02809, Phone: 401-254-1745

Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:

  • Herreshoff Marine Museum – Learn about America’s Cup history and see classic yachts built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company.
  • East Bay Bike Path – 14.5-mile scenic trail connecting Bristol to Providence, ideal for cycling, jogging, or walking.

Where to Eat

  • The Lobster Pot – Waterfront seafood restaurant with lobster specialties and gorgeous sunset views over the bay.
  • Beehive Café – Cozy and popular brunch/lunch café with homemade pastries and farm-to-table fare.
  • DeWolf Tavern – Upscale dining in a restored 1818 stone warehouse, offering American cuisine with an Indian influence.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Bristol Fourth of July Celebration (Late June – July 4) – The nation’s oldest Independence Day celebration, featuring concerts, parades, fireworks, and patriotic décor throughout town.
  • Bristol Oyster Festival (September) – A lively fall event with fresh local oysters, food trucks, live music, and waterfront fun.
  • Blithewold’s Christmas at the Mansion (December) – Holiday décor, festive teas, and light displays in a beautifully decorated historic home.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30–60 Minutes of Bristol, Rhode Island:

  • Newport (35–40 min) – Explore Gilded Age mansions, cliff walks, and sailing culture in this iconic coastal town.
  • Providence (30 min) – Rhode Island’s capital city offers arts, shopping, WaterFire events, and great dining.
  • Fall River, MA (30 min) – Visit Battleship Cove and the Lizzie Borden House Museum for historic intrigue.
  • Sakonnet Vineyards (Little Compton) (45 min) – Sample local wines and enjoy views of rolling fields and vineyards.
  • Roger Williams Park Zoo (30–35 min) – A family-friendly destination in Providence with animals, a carousel, and botanical gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Where is Bristol, Rhode Island located?
    • Bristol, RI is one of New England's loveliest coastal getaways.
    • It is situated in Bristol County along the state's beautiful Atlantic Ocean coastline.
  • What is Bristol best known for?
    • Bristol is famous for hosting the United States' longest continually celebrated Independence Day festivities.
    • The celebration dates back to 1777, just one year after the country's Declaration of Independence.
  • Where can visitors enjoy Bristol’s Independence Day festivities?
    • Visitors can experience the annual Independence Day festivities at Colt State Park.
    • The park is located on the former estate of industrialist Samuel Colt.
  • What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Bristol?
    • The scenic East Bay Bike Path stretches between Bristol and Providence.
    • The path follows the route of an abandoned railroad, offering a picturesque biking and walking experience.

Plan Your Trip