Tucked  away on a peninsula in beautiful Narragansett Bay, Bristol is a charming seaside town offering a wonderful quality of life at a relaxed pace. Surrounded by 15 miles of shoreline, this area has a reputation for having one of the best coastlines for sailing enthusiasts. Bristol is also known as one of the most patriotic towns in the United States, right down to its red, white, and blue traffic lines down the middle of Main Street. It hosts the annual Bristol Fourth of July Parade, which is the oldest, continuous Fourth of July celebration in the nation. Bristol’s geography, as a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay, makes the climate more moderate than most New England communities; warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Impressions/Character

Federal and Colonial architecture dot this quaint seafaring town, while a wonderful array of boutiques, quaint shops, galleries and museums are situated along tree-lined streets, pedestrian boardwalks, and city parks fronting the harbour. Blithewold Mansion and Gardens open year-round to members and day-visitors, offers a stunning country estate replete with exotic plant life and a rolling landscape, perfect for weddings or enjoying an afternoon. Just before the Mount Hope Bridge is Roger Williams University, a renowned, Rhode Island educational institution offering cultural diversity and a vibrant dimension to this beloved town. Bristol offers 12 different museums, most notably the Haffenreffer Indian Museum and the Bristol Art Museum. The townalso features opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing at Beach Terrace, Bristol Highlands, Bristol Narrows and the 47-acre Town Beach and Sports Complex. In addition, Colt State Park is a Rhode Island favorite and provides a pleasant recess on the west side of the town overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Villages/Neighborhoods

There are several distinctive neighborhoods: Beach Terrace, Bristol Ferry, Bristol Narrows, Bristol Highlands, Castle Islands, Poppasquash Point and Seal Island.