Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Bristol, RI
Year Listed: 2009 Steeped in a rich history that spans three centuries, Bristol, Rhode Island is a quintessential New England waterfront town. This coastal community, conveniently located only one hour south of Boston, seamlessly blends outdoor beauty with cultural pleasures. Bristol is studded with parks featuring recreational opportunities and stunning vistas, along with a treasure trove of stately historic homes, museums, one-of-a-kind boutiques and seafood eateries. Together, they create a storybook experience that serves as an ideal retreat. With its unwavering commitment to preservation, Bristol continues to maintain the picture-perfect charm of a historic port town. The town center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a comfortable pedestrian haven offering shaded walks in a veritable urban arboretum of mature trees. The well-preserved waterfront district contains the commercial enterprises, civic buildings, churches, mills, sailors' shacks and slave-traders' mansions that tell the history of Bristol's development since its founding in 1680. The network of Bristol's historic sites extends well beyond the central village. To the north, Coggeshall Farm interprets traditional agricultural practices in a series of historic buildings on the grounds of Colt State park, a 400-acre recreational area that boasts what is considered to be the very best view of Narragansett Bay. Southern Bristol is the place to discover important cultural landscapes, including the 45-room English-style manor, Blithewold, considered New England's finest garden estate. Sailing and shipbuilding have always played a significant role in Bristol. Visitors can enjoy the town’s maritime heritage by touring the Herreshoff Marine Museum, and learn the story of America’s finest yachts from construction to competition at the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Bound by Narragansett Bay and Mt. Hope Bay, Bristol also offers many waterfront recreational areas, including beaches and parks. Additionally, summer and winter festivals, band and choral concerts, and old-fashioned suppers add to the overall Bristol experience. Interested in visiting Bristol? Check out the East Bay Chamber of Commerce. Stay at an Historic Hotel of America and don't forget to see Touro Synagogue, a National Trust Historic Site.
Downtown Bristol waterfront in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Credit: Matt Calouro
Architecture & History
The Governor Bradford house is the centerpiece of the property built by Isaac Royall in 1745 and was used in the filming of Stephen Spielberg’s “Amistad”. A National Register landmark, the 200-acre farm (c.1680) has a medley of historic buildings and magnificent water views of Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays. View the place where King Philip (King Philips War) had his headquarters and was killed. See where the patriots of the American Revolution planned the burning of the Gaspee in 1772 which many consider the first formal act of violence against the British.
Credit: Diane Williamson Maritime Heritage & Activities
Submitted by Bill at: October 11, 2009
Why is nothing mentioned about the Cold War period in Bristol where we had a Nike missile site on Mt hope and the launcher area down towards the bridge SW of Mt Hope for 18 years defending the Providence area? (1956 to 1974) Shame on you for not mentioning it!
Submitted by o at: August 15, 2009
i was born in bangkok in 1956. i loved bangkok until the city got so populated and polluted. it is now not manageable. my wife and i become partially bristollians, and we would rather be bristollian and bangkokian.
Submitted by bristolian at: June 25, 2009
Touro Synagogue is in Newport, not Bristol!
Submitted by Pearl2008 at: March 30, 2009
I grew up in Barrington and worked in Bristol in 1999 to 2000, after graduating from college. Throughout my childhood and early adult years, I loved going to Bristol because of its sense of community, history and pride. Bristol is still a beautiful place and I still love it, but, in the past 10 years, it has changed dramatically through gentrification. While I applaud the businesses and the town for becoming a successful tourist destination, I lament the fact that something else has been lost in exchange for this success--a true sense of community. I completely understand the attraction to tourism and the $$$ it brings, but I miss the days when business owners and employees were attentive to customers. I've had some recent experiences with Bristol businesses where it seemed as though they could care less about securing a sale from me--probably because they know someone else will come along right behind me and spend more money and probably be willing to put up with their indifferent attitude in order to say they "experienced" Bristol. Like I said, I still love Bristol and always will, but, as part of its focus has shifted to tourism, it gets harder and harder to connect with the heart and soul of the community.
Submitted by Suz at: March 25, 2009
Bristol is the best HOMETOWN in America. From it's boating and sailing heritage, beautiful waterfront, great restaurants to the tremendous pride of it's residents...it is a great place to live or visit. The 4th of July parade is a testimony to the towns history and civic pride.
Submitted by Johvad at: March 23, 2009
Americana at it's best!!!
Submitted by Jo at: March 23, 2009
I plan to move to Bristol next month when I get married. My fiance grew up in Bristol and I have fallen in love with the town. July 4th is so much fun. The entire town gets involved.
Submitted by JDS at: March 13, 2009
Bristol is the quintessential New England town not to be missed for sure...but take the time to peruse Warren the next town over heading North. Although not as grand or well preserved it is an authentic New England Village with a working waterfront, an artist community with quirky boutiques & galleries. If you like antiquing Yankee Magazine always mentions it as a great place to find a treasure!
Submitted by Jbay at: February 27, 2009
...and don't leave Bristol to stay at a Newport hotel when we have the beautiful Bristol Harbor Inn and Mount Hope Farm right here!
Submitted by Chuck at: February 8, 2009
This is a short drive from E. Wareham and looks like an interesting place to visit. The review above failed to mention that Bristol is also the home of the longest string of July 4th Parades, dating back to the 1700s.