Bristol Travel Guide

Today in the United States: César Chávez Day (31 Mar)

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located in the beautiful state of Connecticut, Bristol is a charming city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled in the Connecticut region, Bristol is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic American experience.

One of the city's main attractions is the American Clock & Watch Museum. With its extensive collection of timepieces dating back to the 18th century, this museum offers a fascinating insight into the history and craftsmanship of clock-making in America. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing intricate mechanisms, rare timepieces, and even try their hand at assembling a clock.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Bristol boasts several parks and nature reserves that provide endless opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Imagine strolling through the serene forest trails of Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, where you can spot various wildlife species and enjoy picturesque views. Rockwell Park, on the other hand, offers a perfect spot for picnicking, with its beautiful lake, playgrounds, and walking paths.

Sports fans will be delighted to know that Bristol is home to the renowned ESPN headquarters. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of this iconic sports media company and witness the hustle and bustle of live broadcasting. You might even catch a glimpse of your favorite sports personalities!

History buffs will find plenty to explore in Bristol. Step back in time at the Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, where you can admire life-size figures of classic horror movie characters. The Bristol Historical Society Museum is another fascinating stop, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past through its exhibits on local industries, architecture, and notable residents.

In addition to its cultural and historical attractions, Bristol is also a hub for culinary delights. Indulge in a delectable meal at one of the city's charming eateries, offering a wide range of cuisines to satisfy every palate. From traditional American comfort food to international flavors, Bristol's dining scene has something for everyone.

Alternative names: Population: 60.5 thous.Area: 26.82 mi²Elevation: 443 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°40'49"N, 72°56'23"W

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ConnecticutUnited States

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Bristol Top Attractions

Bristol Attractions - What to See and Explore

Bristol offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Muzzy Field, Zoomerang, American Clock & Watch Museum, Bristol Historical Society Museum. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Historical place • Arenas and stadiums • Baseball field
Muzzy Field
Muzzy Field is a stadium in Bristol, Connecticut adjacent to Rockwell Park. It has been in use since 1912 for both baseball and football. The brick-faced grandstand, with a capacity of 4,900 people, was built in 1939. It features a ring of tall pine trees that line the outside of the outfield wall and the grandstand.
Amusement • Amusement park • Theme park
Zoomerang
Zoomerang is the name of a boomerang steel roller coaster located at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. Zoomerang is one of the forty-five functioning Vekoma boomerang style roller coasters in the world.
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
American Clock & Watch Museum
The American Clock & Watch Museum, located in Bristol, Connecticut, is one of a very few museums in the United States dedicated solely to horology, which is the history, science and art of timekeeping and timekeepers.

Museum • Military museum • History museum
Bristol Historical Society Museum
The Bristol Historical Society Museum, located in Bristol, Connecticut, is a museum dedicated to the promotion of interest in Bristol history and encouraging an appreciation for its importance.
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum
The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in Plainville, Connecticut, USA, is a collection of figures of classic movie monsters. The museum is owned by the Bristol-native Cortlandt Hull. Cortlandt is the great nephew of film actor Henry Hull.
Playground • Skate park • Park
Rockwell Park
Rockwell Park is a public park in Bristol, Connecticut. Located in a residential area west of downtown Bristol, it includes open spaces and woodlands on either side of the Pequabuck River.
41°40'15"N • 72°56'23"W
The New England Carousel Museum
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
Church
St. Stanislaus Parish
St. Stanislaus Parish was originally built to serve Polish immigrants in Bristol, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1919 and is one of the Polish-American Roman Catholic parishes in New England in the Archdiocese of Hartford.
41°40'38"N • 72°56'36"W
The Ingraham House
Concerts and shows • Theater
41°40'12"N • 72°56'45"W
Imagine Nation
Museum • Children's museum
41°40'24"N • 72°56'32"W
Bristol Public Library
Library
41°40'20"N • 72°57'16"W
Clara T. O'Connell School
The Clara T. O'Connell School is a historic school building at 122 Park Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Built in 1914, the school served the city until 2012. After a period of vacancy, the city sold it and the also-closed Clarence A. Bingham School to developers for conversion to senior housing in 2015.
41°40'54"N • 72°56'57"W
Clarence A. Bingham School
The Clarence A. Bingham School is a historic school building at 3 North Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Built in 1916, the school served the city until 2010. After a period of vacancy, the city sold it and the also-closed Clara T. O'Connell School to developers for conversion to senior housing in 2015.
41°40'7"N • 72°56'49"W
Bristol Girls' Club
The Bristol Girls' Club is a historic clubhouse facility at 47 Upson Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Built in 1931, it is believed to be the first purpose-built clubhouse for a branch of the Girls Club of America, a social and educational organization dedicated to improving conditions for urban and immigrant girls.
Memorial
Soldiers' Monument in Bristol
Soldiers' Monument is in Bristol, Connecticut, on top of a hill in the city’s West Cemetery. The monument is an obelisk with a brownstone eagle on top.
Neighbourhood • Colonial revival architecture
South End Historic District
The South End Historic District encompasses one of the oldest residential areas of Bristol, Connecticut.
Neighbourhood
Endee Manor Historic District
The Endee Manor Historic District encompasses a well-preserved and cohesive early 20th-century worker housing area in Bristol, Connecticut. Located on Sherman, Mills and Putnam Streets, the area was built out in a four-month period in 1916-17, and is the largest such development in the city.
41°40'53"N • 72°56'9"W
Townsend G. Treadway House
The Townsend G. Treadway House is a historic house at 100 Oakland Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Built in 1915, it is one of the city's largest and finest examples of Colonial Revival architecture, designed by a major New York architectural firm. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Tudor Revival architecture
Copper Ledges and Chimney Crest
Copper Ledges and Chimney Crest are a pair of luxurious mansion estates on Founders Drive in Bristol, Connecticut. They were built in 1924 and 1930 for brothers Fuller and Harry Barnes, owners of the locally prominent Wallace Barnes Company, later American Spring.

Things to See and Do in Bristol by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Bristol.

Entertainment

Lake Compounce
Bristol
AmusementAmusement park
Zoomerang
Bristol
AmusementAmusement parkTheme park
Boulder Dash Roller Coaster
Bristol
AmusementAmusement parkAmusement ride

Other categories

Museum History museum

Day trips

Bristol – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Bristol, it's worth seeing attractions such as: XL Center (Hartford), Quassy Amusement Park (Middlebury), Mark Twain House (Hartford).

15 milesNE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
XL Center, Hartford
The XL Center, nestled in the heart of downtown Hartford, Connecticut, stands as a premier sports and entertainment destination in New England. This versatile arena, with its expansive seating capacity, hosts a diverse range of events, from high-energy hockey games...
15 milesSW
Water park, Theme park, Amusement park
Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury
Quassy Amusement Park, nestled in the picturesque town of Middlebury, Connecticut, is a charming family destination that has been delighting visitors for over a century. Established in 1908, this traditional amusement park offers a slice of Americana with a blend of...
14 milesNE
Museum, History museum, Gothic Revival architecture
Mark Twain House, Hartford
The Mark Twain House, nestled in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, stands as a testament to the life and legacy of one of America's most celebrated authors. This distinctive museum offers visitors a glimpse into the personal and professional world of Samuel Clemens...
15 milesNE
19th- and 20th-century American artists
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford
The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum in Hartford, Connecticut. The Wadsworth is noted for its collections of European Baroque art, ancient Egyptian and Classical bronzes, French and American Impressionist paintings, Hudson River School landscapes, modernist masterpieces and...
8.8 miE
Arenas and stadiums, Baseball, Sport venue
New Britain Stadium, New Britain
New Britain Stadium is a baseball venue in New Britain, Connecticut, United States. It is the home of the New Britain Bees of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Opened in 1996, the stadium seats 6,146 spectators.

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Best Time To Visit Bristol

Learn when is the best time to travel to Bristol weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in May.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January and February. Most of it rains in March, April, May, June, August, September, November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Bristol?

The top attractions to visit in Bristol are:

What is the best time to visit Bristol?

June, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in May. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.