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Posted in Rhode Island Small Towns, State Pride August 10, 2021 by Sara Dager

It’s Official: Rhode Island’s Very Own Bristol Is One Of The Country’s Coolest Small Towns To Visit This Year

A great way to spend a day in Rhode Island is to discover a new small town. We have more than enough of them to take up a lot of your time and each town offers its own sort of charm and appeal that is sure to draw you in. Recently, Matador Network released its list of coolest small towns to visit in 2021 and wouldn’t you know it? Little Rhody made the cut with our very own Bristol, Rhode Island!

Bristol has so much to see and so many spots to explore. One of our favorite ways to take in the most of it is with the final leg of the East Bay Bike Path that runs from Providence all the way into downtown Bristol.

The path cuts right through Colt State Park (if you're driving the bulls at the main entrance are hard to miss,) one of the most picturesque and quiet spots in the state.

With gorgeous beaches, woods, and fields to gather with loved ones, this gem of a park will make you fall in love with Bristol before you know it.

And don't forget to cool off with an ice cold Del's Frozen Lemonade.

While Bristol is often known for its proximity to nature, the architecture in the area is really something to marvel at as well.

Roger Williams Library has been here since the 1800's, and even a fire that leveled half the building couldn't stop this literary legacy.

A stop at the stunning Blithewold mansion, garden, and arboretum is an absolute must. The stunning landscape design only makes this old world mansion all the more impressive. There is even live music in the gardens on occasion!

What's cool about Bristol is how much it packs into such a small place. You can start your day at Colt State, enjoy a visit to Blithewold, and still have time to check out the bustling downtown area, packed full of shops and dining that every traveler is sure to enjoy!

The thing Bristol is perhaps most known for is its Fourth of July Parade, the oldest one in the entire country.

But even if you are not here in the summer, the red, white, and blue parade route lines and this gorgeous mural on Franklin street will give you a taste of the parade.

Bristol's busy downtown and cultural liveliness can in part be attributed to the students of Roger Williams University, which has a gorgeous campus right on the water. We recommend a drive through even if you're not looking to attend!

And Mount Hope Bridge is right at the end of campus, providing gorgeous views as you enter Bristol from Portsmouth, or leave it.

Bristol may be tiny, but both locals and travelers agree that there is a lot of cool stuff you can pack into just one day!

Bristol, Rhode Island is so much fun to explore, with new spots opening regularly and rich traditions that will last for years to come. Are you excited to make the trip there?

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Address: Bristol, RI 02809, USA