Bristol, RI Road Trips

Bristol is a small and historic Rhode Island town with a population of about 23,000. Approximately 20.6 sq mi (53 km2) including water, Bristol is a beautiful town right on the water that was founded by Roger Williams in 1636, and was named after Bristol, England. The town was eventually sold after 1685 to four Boston investors: Byfield, Wally, Oliver and Burton, three of whom went on to have schools named after them. By the late 1700s, Bristol was a major nexus for the slave trade and was home to some of the richest men in the country. One famous family who participated in the slave trade were the DeWolf Colts, who lived in Bristol's Linden Place Mansion. As well, Colt School, next door to Linden Place and constructed largely from marble, was built and donated to the town as a memorial to Theodore DeWolf Colt by her son. Colt Farm and Colt State Park are two other donations that live on through the family. Bristol also holds the first, longest and largest Independence Day parade in the country. Year round, the streets on the parade route are lined with a red, white and blue stripe down the middle, and there are concerts leading up to the holiday three weeks in advance. There is a carnival week where you can enjoy fireworks by the downtown waterfront, a performance by the Navy Band, and — of course — the parade.

1 Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, 101 Ferry Rd, ☏ +1 401 253-2707. 10AM-5PM. An excellent piece of historic Bristol. An English-style mansion of 45 rooms, with 33 acres of lawns and vividly colorful gardens host to an impressive collection of flowers from around the world. However, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and hot walking around the gardens in the middle of the summer. $10, children under 15: free. 2 Herreshoff Marine Museum, 1 Burnside Street, ☏ +1 401-253-5000, fax: +1 401 253-6222. May-Oct 10AM-5PM. Yachting museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame. Dockage space is available at the Museum pier, reservations are recommended. $18 adult, $15 senior, $15 student, free under 10. 3 Mt. Hope Bridge. Mt. Hope Bridge was completed in 1920. It was built and owned by the Heffenreffer family. The family had plans to build and operate a horse race track across Mt. Hope Bay. The bridge was built in order for residents from Bristol to get to the racetrack, however they ran out of funds by the time the bridge was done being built.

Bristol is a great place to enjoy all the beauty of Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. The town is on the East Bay Peninsula, making it a water lover's paradise. Boating, kayaking and other water sports are popular activities along the coast. The harbor hosts approximately 800 moorings and several docks, so travel to the area by water is an option. Rentals of equipment are available at a few locations in town (See "Buy"). 1 Colt State Park, ☏ +1 401 253-7482. Sunrise to sunset. 464 acres (188 hectares) park abutting Narragansett Bay. With attractions including trails for hikers and cyclists, picnic tables, fishing piers, and horseback riding, no two trips to the park are ever the same. No matter the season, there is always something to enjoy in this nature lover's paradise. Free. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Coggeshall Farm, Colt Dr, ☏ +1 401 253-9062. This 1790s salt-marsh farm opened to the public in the 1960s as a state park. Today, the park's staff recreate and depict the lives of 18th century New England farmers. Starting in 2020, this family-oriented farm is partnered with another living museum- Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. Open Spring to Fall. Adults: $10, Children (4-17): $5, Children under 3: Free. 3 East Bay Bike Path (Parking available in Independence Park). This 14.5 mi (23.3 km) asphalt path begins at Bristol's Independence Park and extends to Providence, following the serene shoreline of Narragansett Bay. The path provides spectacular waterfront views and access to state parks, coastal marshes, and downtown shops and restaurants.

The Beehive Cafe, 10 Franklin Street, ☏ +1 401-396-9994. W-Sa 7AM-4PM, Su-Tu 7AM-9PM. The Beehive Café is by far the cutest little coffee shop in Bristol. Located by the water and about four feet away from Independence Park, the Beehive Café serves all sorts of organic teas, coffees, smoothies, and other caffeinated and un-caffeinated drinks. Also serving dinner now, you can attend the café for any meal of the day, or just stop by for a casual sit in alone or with company. The beehive café provides a few board games, free wifi and can also be family oriented. Bristol Bagel Works, 420 Hope St, ☏ +1 401 254-1390. M-F 6:30AM-2:30PM, Sa Su 7AM-2PM. Typical bagel shop that serves a number of delicious bagels made fresh daily, and a large beverage list. Small seating area, but has big windows that look onto the parade route, so it’s great for people watching. Green Eggs, 576 Metacom Ave, ☏ +1 401 253-3443. M-Sa 6AM-1PM, Su 7AM-1PM. Tucked in the back corner of the Bell Tower Plaza, this is the place to go for breakfast. Although it only serves breakfast, the options are plentiful as are the portion sizes. And to top it off it’s very inexpensive! The staff members are outgoing and the atmosphere has a very homey feel. Can get crowded over the weekend though, especially after masses are over on Sunday’s. They also only accept cash, but there are plenty of ATMs around to service you. Hope Diner, 742 Hope St, ☏ +1 401 253-1759. Hope Diner is an original, old school diner that actually resides in a parked and remodeled trailer home.

Aidan's Pub, 5 John St, ☏ +1 401-268-4957. Serves indoors and outdoors. Guests are welcome to park on the street, but the restaurant/bar also has parking. After drinks, why not enjoy a stroll down to the water? The scenic waterfront view makes an ideal spot for romantics. Judge Roy Bean, 1 State St, ☏ +1 401 253-7526.

Bradford-Dimond-Norris House, 474 Hope Street, ☏ +1 401 253-6338. 4 rooms. On the parade route. Bristol Harbor Inn at Thames Street Landing, 259 Thames Street, ☏ +1 401 254-1444. Bristol Harbor Inn is on the waterfront in the heart of downtown Bristol at Thames Street Landing. The ideal spot to truly take in and be a part of all the festivities in historic downtown. Thames Street Landing's nine historic buildings now create a boardwalk of retail shops and pedestrian walkways. Nestled in heart of all the action of Bristol. Dewolf’s Tavern and restaurant are on the ground floor, with its exceptional dining experience shows at Harbor Point, nothing is too far. Amenities include a day spa, bike and kayak rentals. Mt Hope Farm, 250 Metacom Avenue, ☏ +1 401-254-1745, toll-free: +1-877-254-9300. This elegant, old fashioned home has been around since the mid-1700s, and still holds its charm. It has housed a number of well-to-do members in its day, including former President George Washington. The home is situated on acres of open land and has views of the water. There are four rooms, each varying in price and setup depending on ones preference.

From Providence, go east on I-195 to exit 7. Follow Route 114 into Bristol. Alternate route;travel east on I-195 to exit 2 in Massachusetts. Follow Route 136 into Bristol. From Boston I-95 south to Rt. 24 south. Take exit for Mt. Hope Bridge. Follow signs for Bristol and Mt. Hope Bridge. Go over the bridge and follow Rt. 114 north into Bristol. T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA) in Warwick offers many low cost and regular flights from many cities in the United States. Boston's Logan Airport (BOS IATA) is much larger and is generally used for most international flights. RIPTA, Phone: +1 401 781-9400. Services across all of Rhode Island. Bus #60 connects Providence to Newport. It passes through Bristol every hour with several stops along Route 114.

The town isn't too big, so walking or bike riding can be one of the easiest ways to get around. Most of the shops and restaurants are located in one general area making it easily accessible by foot.