Bristol, RI

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Getting to Bristol

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Set Sail, Savor and Stroll
in Bristol, Rhode Island

Uncover the magic and history of Bristol, RI — a quintessential New England waterfront town where every corner tells a story. Wander along the harbor as sailboats glide by, and soak in breathtaking views from this enchanting peninsula nestled just 30 minutes from Providence, Newport, Fall River & New Bedford!

Indulge in delicious dining, browse charming boutiques, and explore seven captivating museums. Whether you crave adventure on scenic hiking trails and a 15-mile bike path or prefer a leisurely stroll through historic streets, Bristol offers the perfect balance of activity and relaxation.

Whether it’s a day trip or a week-long escape, let Explore Bristol RI help you craft an unforgettable journey through our town’s timeless charm.

Places to Stay

Stay Close to the Action!

From waterfront hotels to historic bed & breakfasts and charming Airbnbs, your perfect getaway is just a click away - and all within walking, biking, or boating distance to everything Bristol has to offer.

Book your stay today and wake up in the heart of New England charm!

Stay

Things to do

Adventure Awaits Year-Round!

Whether you crave outdoor excitement, indoor discoveries, or both, there’s always something happening.

From historical celebrations to concerts, festivals, and events — Bristol is buzzing!

Need help planning? Email info@explorebristolri.com and to get your adventure started!

Explore

Events

Never Miss a Moment in Bristol, RI!

Our calendar is packed with endless activities! From local markets, historical workshops, and bike rentals, to live entertainment and community celebrations - there’s always something new to discover!

Check our calendar and start planning your visit today!

Calendar

7 Engaging Things to Do in Bristol RI: Where Thanksgiving Began

Malerie Yolen-Cohen,

Getaway Mavens

"Many small American towns may boast that they bleed Red, White and Blue, but the little coastal town of Bristol RI really does. At least on its main street, where the center line isn’t white or double yellow, but striped in the colors of the American Flag."

🚨 The Brits are coming to Bristol! 🇬🇧⚓️ And you definitely want to be on board for this one.

Set sail on the tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry (@ohpri ) from Newport to Bristol on Friday, May 16 (3-7PM) and experience history like never before! 🌊✨ Tickets are $275 (plus an optional $25 add-on for the Welcome Reception). Includes a stunning sail, light refreshments, and bus transport back to Newport.

Then, keep the party going dockside at the Welcome Reception (7-9PM) at the Herreshoff Marine Museum—a night of hors d’oeuvres, fun music, and a cash bar for just $45 ($40 for BH&PS members). Costumes encouraged, but good vibes required! 🍾🎶

History buffs, don’t miss Coffee with the Captain ☕️ on Saturday & Sunday (8-9AM) for a deep dive into the ship’s story. Tickets $30/$25 for members.

📍 @herreshoff
🎟️ Snag your tickets before they’re gone!

#BristolRI #TallShip #theclassiccoast #newportri #HerreshoffMarineMuseum #mynewengland #NewEnglandEvents

Happy St Patrick’s Day

#bristolri #stpatricksday #heyrhodyphotos #rhodeisland #coastaltown #clpicks #theclassiccoast

The days are getting longer, and golden hour is stretching its magic a little later ✨☀️ There’s no better time to wander through Bristol, soak in the coastal charm, and chase the prettiest sunsets!#GoldenHourMagic #ExploreBristol #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #heyrhodyphotos #401love

The days are getting longer, the weather’s warming up, and spring & summer are just around the corner—aka the perfect time to get out and explore! ☀️

#bristolri #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos #clpicks #rhodeisland

🎉 March in Bristol is Bringing the Fun! 🎭🍁

From Mardi Gras vibes to maple sugaring magic, here’s what’s happening this month in town! 👇

📅 Saturday, March 1 – Mardi Gras Party 🎷🍤
@pivotalbrewingcompany
🎶 Live music by The Kickin’ Bass Band
🍛 Cajun cuisine to transport you straight to NOLA
⏰ 12:00 - 10:00 PM

🍕 Master the Art of Pizza Making! 🍕
@qhali_kitchen
👩‍🍳 Hands-on workshop to perfect your dough, sauce & cheese combos
🍽️ Enjoy your delicious handmade pizza for lunch!

❄️ What’s the Frostbite Bash? 🎶🍹
🔥 Rhode Island’s hottest winter party—literally!
🍸 Craft cocktails, live music & waterfront vibes
📍 Hosted at Herreshoff Museum – March 29
🎟️ Tickets available via @herreshoff IG bio

🍁 Maple Sugaring Days at @coggeshall_farm_museum ! 🍁
🛠️ Watch the sugaring process from sap to syrup
🔍 Scavenger hunts, maple crafts & kids’ games
🌿 Step back in time at this living history experience!

✨ Who’s ready for a month of epic events? Tag your crew and let’s make some March memories! 👇

#ExploreBristol #MardiGrasVibes #PizzaLovers #rhodeisland #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos

Temps are creeping up, this week & Bristol is calling! ☀️ Strolls by the water,and that fresh ocean air—there’s no better time to explore this charming coastal town 🌊

📸: @discovernewport @k___elizabeth

#BristolRI #CoastalEscapes #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos #401love #clpicks #rhodeisland

🍔 @discovernewport Newport Burger Bender is back, and Bristol is bringing the heat! 🔥

For 10 days (Now until February 23rd) , local restaurants are battling it out for the title of Best Burger—and this time, two Bristol contenders are throwing their buns in the ring! 🍔🏆

📍 Stop #1: @the.beehive.cafe – A savory blend of three premium meats, caramelized onions, melted Swiss, and spiced BBQ sauce on a house-made potato bun. 🍯🔥
📍 Stop #2: @basilandbunny – A plant-based powerhouse featuring a jalapeño popper, mac & cheese, BBQ ranch, and crispy pickled onions on a toasted brioche bun. 🌱💥

🚗 Take a bite, explore Bristol, and vote for your favorite!

📸: Discover Newport website

#NewportBurgerBender #ExploreBristolRI #BestBurger #FoodieAdventures #heyrhodyphotos

Scenes from last night at @mounthopefarm
Girls Night Out 💗💗

From charm bracelet making to succulent gardens, local shopping, and delicious cocktails, it was a night filled with creativity and fun!

#bristolri #rhodeisland #mynewengland #401love #theclassiccoast #mynewportlife #valentinesday #buylocalri
#galentinesday #heyrhodyphotos

🍕 It’s #NationalPizzaDay, and Bristol is serving up the cheesiest, dreamiest pies around. Where’s your go-to pizza spot in town? Drop your faves below! ⬇️🍕✨

🍕: @bhopri

#ExploreBristol #theclassiccoast #401love #heyrhodyphotos #rhodeisland #mynewengland #bristolri

💝💌Your February Plans Are Set! ✨❤️🍸

• 💖 Galentine’s at @mounthopefarm – Grab your besties for a night of shopping, sips, and bites in a dreamy setting! Wednesday, 2/12 | 6-9 PM
• 🍸 Pour Your Heart Out Mixology Class at @brickpizzaco with @sayyestothecocktail – Shake up your Valentine’s plans with a fun cocktail-making experience! Tickets required
• 🍰 Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at @vigilantbrewing with @sarcastic_sweets – Sweet treats & good vibes with Sarcastic Sweets! Friday, 2/14 | 6-8 PM

Tag your crew & let’s make some love-filled memories! 💕

#theclassiccoast #bristolri #heyrhodyphotos #cocktails #valentinesday #galentinesday #mynewengland #rhodeisland

Winter wonderland vibes at Colt State Park ❄️✨ Who else loves a scenic snow-covered stroll? Tag your adventure buddy and let’s explore 🚶‍♂️🌲

📷: @savagejuliephotography

#ExploreBristol #ColtStatePark #WinterMagic #RhodeIslandViews #theclassiccoast #RhodeIslandViews #bristolri #heyrhodyphotos

Later sunsets = more time to explore all that Bristol has to offer !

#bristolri #rhodeisland #mynewengland #401love #theclassiccoast #mynewportlife
#clpicks #heyrhodyphotos

Sipping in style at @obrienandbrough 🥃
Cozy vibes, craft cocktails, and a little speakeasy magic. Who’s in for a round? 🍸 #BristolRI #theclassiccoast #401love #heyrhodyphotos #mynewengland #visittheusa #rhodeisland

10 seconds of peace
📍 Walley Street Beach

#bristolri #rhodeisland #mynewengland #401love #theclassiccoast #mynewportlife
#clpicks #heyrhodyphotos

A walk through Colt State Park is always a treat, but there’s something extra magical about a snowy morning here! 🌨️✨ The crunch of fresh snow underfoot, the quiet stillness, and those postcard-perfect views—it’s like stepping into a winter wonderland. 🕊️❄️

#bristolri #rhodeisland #mynewengland #401love #theclassiccoast #mynewportlife
#clpicks #heyrhodyphotos

Bristol nights ❤️❄️

Photo by : @socialbender

#heyrhodyphotos #bristolri #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #401love #mynewengland

Snowy strolls & scenic views at Mount Hope Farm! ❄️🌊 No matter the season, this historic spot in Bristol, RI, is a dream for walkers & nature lovers. From golden hour in summer to frosty mornings like this, every visit feels like a mini adventure. Plus, you can’t beat that view of the Mount Hope Bridge! Who else loves a good winter walk? #ExploreBristol #MountHopeFarm #RhodeIsland #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos #beanoutsider #mynewengland

Highlights from this week’s Bristol Blast
💥January Events 💥

@bristolartmuseum
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12: 1:00
Panel Discussuon: Entangled Ends, A Textile Story
Lecture Topic: The closures of textile mills at the end of the 20th century reshaped the socio-economic fabric of countless mill communities, leaving a legacy of challenges and lessons. Former mill workers, industry executives, and designers will share their unique perspectives and experiences, setting the stage for a conversation about the past, present, and future of this vital industry

Pasta Perfection
@qhali_kitchen
January 19th 11am-3PM
Join Chef Lauren Amos in this hands-on class designed for those new to the world of pasta making. You’ll learn the fundamentals of creating fresh pasta dough, from measuring ingredients to kneading and rolling.

Burns Night @dewolftavern
JANUARY 25TH, 2025
AT 6:00 PM
CELEBRATION DINNER & A SCOTCH PAIRING WILL TRANSPORT YOU TO THE ERA OF ROBBIE BURNS
Reservations Only

Bristol’s Stonechurch Coffee House at First Congregational Church
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25: Doors Open 6;45. Music Starts at 7:30
Live Music: Americana: Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem

@rogersfreelibrary
JANUARY 30: 6:00-7:30
Lecture + Slideshow: “Take a Walk” Through Colt State Park
Speaker: Lynn Smith, Volunteer Tour Guide at Linden Place and BH&PS Board Member Samuel Pomeroy:
Lecture Topic: Colt loved to collect art, cars, and women. He knew how to make money, too. From scandal to success, Colt’s Gilded Age-era life was filled with fascinating twists and turns. In this in-person, slideshow presentation, we’ll “walk” around Colt’s gentleman’s farm, now known as Colt State Park, making additional “stops” at Linden Place, Colt’s mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York, and his fishing camp in Kidney Pond in Maine.

@mounthopefarm
JANUARY 30: 5:30-7:30
TEA BLENDING WORKSHOP
If you enjoy Tea, and/or drink Herbal Tea Blends for your Health & Wellness, then it is time to take your Tea-appreciation to the next level!
Learn the process of Tea blending and creating healing, nourishing & TASTY blends in this Tea Blending workshop!

#bristolri #theclassiccoast #401love #heyrhodyphotos

Cold weather calls for one thing… SOUP!
Soup season in full effect! 🥶🍜 Nothing warms the soul (and our frozen fingers) quite like a steaming bowl from one of Bristol’s cozy spots. Drop your favorite local soup stop below! 🥄✨

🥣 : @the.beehive.cafe
🥣: @fogliabristol
🥣: @lecentralri

#SoupSeason #BristolRI #CozyEats #rhodeisland #heyrhody #401love #theclassiccoast

Sunday in Bristol, RI ❤️✨

Weekends may fly by, but there’s something about a Sunday in Bristol that makes time slow down just a little. Whether it’s a cozy brunch, a stroll by the water, or just soaking in the charm of this beautiful town, it’s the perfect way to reset before the week ahead.

Here’s to new adventures, fresh starts, and making the most of the days to come! Wishing you a great week ahead from picturesque Bristol, Rhode Island! 🌊🏡

#ExploreBristolRI #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos #401love #rhodeisland #clpicks #mynewengland

Happy New Year from Explore Bristol! 🎉✨ Consider this your official postcard from our little slice of paradise. Here’s to more sunsets, scenic views, and unforgettable moments in 2025. Can’t wait to see you exploring all that Bristol has to offer this year! 🏡🌅

📸 : @jabelmore

#ExploreBristol #newyear2025 #theclassiccoast #heyrhodyphotos #clpicks #mynewengland #401love #rhodeisland

Looking ahead to 2025 ✨🌊
There are so many ways to explore Bristol

#heyrhodyphotos #bristolri #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #401love #mynewengland #clpicks

Beautiful morning by the Mount Hope Bridge

#bristolri #rhodeisland #mynewengland #401love #theclassiccoast #clpicks #heyrhodyphotos

Snow on Christmas Eve ❄️
#heyrhodyphotos #bristolri #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #401love #mynewengland

Merry & bright ✨🎄
.
Wishing you a happy holiday
📸 @k___elizabeth

#heyrhodyphotos #bristolri #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #401love #mynewengland

Just a $25 gift card to someone you’re thinking about goes a long way to getting customers to support local businesses YEAR ROUND- #shoplocal #shopbristolri# @explorebristolri @bristolmerchantsassociation @folklore_provisions @the.beehive.cafe @beaubleu_boutique @fenwick.and.oliver @winkgiftstore

It’s Sunday! Shop local in Bristol this last weekend before Christmas, Hanukkah + Festivus for the rest of us. @bristolmerchantsassociation @explorebristolri @explorerhody @shopgreaternewport @eastbaychamberri @folklore_provisions @fenwick.and.oliver @kate_and_company @beaubleu_boutique @winkgiftstore @the.beehive.cafe

Batista Bakery : one of Bristol’s hidden gems This old-school hidden gem has been serving up fresh-baked goodness for years❤️

#BristolRI #newportri #theclassiccoast #rhodeisland #401love #bakery #buylocalri #heyrhodyphotos #mynewengland

✨ Spreading holiday cheer all the way to the back page! 🎅 @bristolsantahouse is shining bright in the December issue of @thebay_mag ! 📖✨ Pick up your copy and see how this festive spot is making spirits merry and bright this season. 🎄❤️ #MerryAndBright #heyrhodyphotos #bristolri #theclassiccoast

✨ SHiNY THiNGS ✨ x @kendall.a.reiss

This holiday-inspired pop-up exhibition & sale is the perfect spot to find one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting talented local artists. 🎨🎁

Shopping small this season isn’t just about unique gifts—it’s about investing in your community and the creative hearts behind it. 💖 So grab your friends, sip some cocoa, and let’s make this holiday season extra shiny with local love! 🎄✨ #ShopSmall #SupportLocalArtists #buylocalri #bristolri #401love #theclassiccoast

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@explorebristolri

Discover the Best Small Town in America!

There are so many things to do in our charming town, and Explore Bristol RI wants to help you find your favorites!

While in Bristol, you can.....

Visit one of our many fascinating museums
Shop at a local boutique or market
Enjoy a workshop at a cultural site
Savor a delicious, locally-sourced meal
Rent a bike and explore the 14 mile East Bay Bike Path
Take a walking tour and dive into the town’s rich history
Set sail or kayak to explore the harbor
Stroll through our picturesque historic streets
Celebrate like a local at a live music event

Ready to experience all that our coastal town has to offer? Start planning your trip today!

For more information, email info@explorebristolri.com

Have an Upcoming Event?
Share it with Explore Bristol!

If you’re a business owner or community member with an upcoming event, we’d love to hear from you! Submit your event to get it featured on our community calendar! Get the word out and connect with visitors!

Submit Event Here