Bristol, Rhode Island, USA is an emblematic place in which you can feel all the American patriotism. You can have an incredible experience surrounded by all the colors of the Fourth of July. Also, you’ll admire their colonial homes and have a trip back in time. If you’re a history lover, this is the place located on the East Coast is perfect for you.
Activity/Place Highlights
At first, you’ll have the historic heart of the city, a red, white and blue stripe bold. This place will completely fascinate you. In the same way, every corner of the city is full of history with residences and wonderful walks. So here we bring you the main places you can’t miss.
Colt State Park
This will be perfect if you want to spend a day of leisure in the open air. You’ll start your journey by walking by the sea. There, you will be able to observe the fishermen, the bridges and docks that it has. Likewise, you will be able to enjoy the best views and trails of all the parks of the place.
Then, you will go to the part of the forest and you will be able to walk its paths. In the same way, you will go along its paths by bicycle, see the stone bridges and the sea walls.
Finally, take advantage of this beautiful place to have a picnic with your loved ones.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum
First, you will visit the gardens with their magnificent trees that are more than 100 years old. There, you will be able to take incredible pictures in the rock garden, the forest trail, and the marvelous sea view.
Second, inside the house, enjoy not only all the amazing furniture but also the incredible porcelain exhibition. Also, don’t forget to visit its gift shop with many wonderful things for you to take home as a souvenir.
Finally, don’t forget to pay attention to all the history hidden in those four walls. Indeed, this one keeps its original design and quite careful.
Marine Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame
For America’s Cup boat and race fans, this will be the place they dreamed of. At first, you’ll be able to appreciate boats created and used even in World War II. You’ll also see how this museum wraps up the history of everything that happened in the Bristol Bay.
This was the Herreshoff family house. Here you will learn about the history of shipbuilding and all their mysteries and secrets.
How to get there
You can get to Bristol from Providence Airport (PVD). The ways to get there are Bus, Taxi, Drive, and Uber.
- By Line 60 bus: is just a 33-minute journey. The estimated price is $2.
- By Taxi: grab your cab in Providence and it’s a 22-minute journey. You’ll need from $45 to 60 USD.
- By Drive: you can rent a car with $1 to 3 USD and drive 22 minutes to Bristol.
- By Uber: it is a 22-minute journey. The prize estimated is from $27 to 31 USD
When to go
The best time to visit Bristol is in summer. You’ll have the best warm-weather for you leisurely walks.
How long
So that your visits to each place are quite complete and you don’t miss any details, you should take about 3 days.
Opening and Closing Hours
- Colt state park: you’ll be able to spend the whole day there, it doesn’t have a specific schedule.
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum. It has three different schedules: On Sundays: from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. On Mondays: from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. From Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m
- Marine Museum and America´s Cup Hall of fame: it opens from Sundays to Saturdays from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m
Planning
Keep in mind that to have your picnic at the Colt State Park some areas must be booked in advance. However, there is a stretch along the water that is not reserved.
Likewise, set aside at least 2 or 3 hours a day to get to know each highlight place in Bristol.
If you are going to be visiting this place around the national dates, remember to book in advance. Generally, the demand increases a lot at that time.
Inside Information
Look for a tourist guide who will show you all the history of the different sites. Besides, don’t forget to go with your family, these places are perfect for large groups.
If you go in the rainy season, be careful with the mud. In the same way, you must avoid winter because of the strong storms that do happen.
The weather is normally between 23° and 14°, bring your coats and comfortable clothes. Most places are nearby, so you can get anywhere you prefer on foot.
Wear your best shoes so you can tour the playgrounds and other places quietly.
Finally, you can’t miss the 4th of July in this place. Surely you will have a unique experience.
History
Their history begins in 1620 when they were controlled by Wampanoags and part of New England. Then, they were attacked by a series of plagues so the leader of this tribe made alliances with the new settlers.
Years later, after times of war, Bristol was known as a town in Massachusetts. However, the English crown moved the colonies from Rhode Island.
Today, it is a state of the United States. Also, the first family to colonize it was DeWolf. They turned this into a center of trade and over the years the city had great growth.
Today, it is one of the cities with the oldest and continuously celebrated Fourth of July festivities in the USA.
Websites
Other nearby attractions
Above all, when you’re in Bristol, don’t forget to boat. This is the perfect place to enjoy Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. For water and boating lovers, it’s paradise.
Also, visit Mt. Hope Bridge, completed in 1920. This is one of the most important family constructions. In particular, it was built so that Bristol residents could get to the racetrack.
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