Bristol

City / town · Connecticut

Bristol

Best timeMay–Oct
From you
Nearest airportBDL · 22 mi
On this page

Overview

Bristol is a town in western Connecticut.

8 sights · 1 things to do

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Bristol

Bristol Historical Society Museum

American Clock and Watch Museum

Lake Compounce Family Theme Park

Harry Barnes Memorial Nature Center

Indian Rock Nature Preserve

Memorial Boulevard

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)

Jan: 3.6 in rain3.6"Jan: high 35°F, low 15°F35°15°JanFeb: 3.6 in rain3.6"Feb: high 39°F, low 18°F39°18°FebMar: 4.4 in rain4.4"Mar: high 47°F, low 26°F47°26°MarApr: 4.5 in rain4.5"Apr: high 59°F, low 36°F59°36°AprMay: 4.6 in rain4.6"May: high 70°F, low 46°F70°46°MayJun: 4.7 in rain4.7"Jun: high 78°F, low 58°F78°58°JunJul: 4.6 in rain4.6"Jul: high 83°F, low 62°F83°62°JulAug: 4.8 in rain4.8"Aug: high 81°F, low 60°F81°60°AugSep: 4.8 in rain4.8"Sep: high 74°F, low 51°F74°51°SepOct: 5.2 in rain5.2"Oct: high 63°F, low 39°F63°39°OctNov: 4.4 in rain4.4"Nov: high 52°F, low 31°F52°31°NovDec: 4.2 in rain4.2"Dec: high 41°F, low 22°F41°22°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
  • HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 29 mi away. Directions

Easy highway access. Tons of parking.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning American Clock and Watch Museum, Lake Compounce Family Theme Park, Harry Barnes Memorial Nature Center
  • Afternoon Memorial Boulevard, Page Park

Day 2

  • Morning Indian Rock Nature Preserve, Rockwell Park
  • Afternoon Bristol Historical Society Museum, New England Carousel Museum

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

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    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    Easy highway access. Tons of parking.

    See

    See Harry Barnes Memorial Nature Center

    Maps

    See Indian Rock Nature Preserve

    Maps

    See Memorial Boulevard

    Maps

    See Rockwell Park

    Maps

    See Page Park

    Maps

    Museums

    See Bristol Historical Society Museum

    📍 98 Summer St⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    See American Clock and Watch Museum

    📍 100 Maple St☎ +1 860-583-6070⚠ Last checked Jun 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See New England Carousel Museum

    ⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Do Lake Compounce Family Theme Park

    📍 822 Lake Ave☎ +1 860-583-3300⚠ Last checked Jun 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Nearby

    My experience

    Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.