Welcome

Halfway between Boston and New York you’ll find Bristol, Connecticut-a hidden treasure with an abundance of attractions, special events and history just waiting to be discovered. This picturesque community’s scenes range from the natural beauty of its fall foliage to the high-tech satellite dishes of ESPN, the world’s largest sports cable television network.

Discover Bristol and enjoy its sports, art, culture, music, beauty and fun all year round.

Bristol Historical Society

The Bristol Historical Society is located in the former Bristol High School in Bristol’s historic Federal Hill neighborhood. The Society also has exhibitions from the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame and the Bristol Military Museum. For more information on upcoming programs and event’s, visit the website at www.bristolhistoricalsociety.org.

ESPN

Bristol is home to ESPN- the largest cable sports network in the world. ESPN broadcasts a myriad of sporting events from football and baseball to the X-Games to millions of homes in America. ESPN2 is one of the nation’s fastest growing cable networks. The organization also has an ESPN News Network and ESPN Classic, which presents the greatest sporting events and heroes in history.

Lake Compounce

Nestled between a scenic lake and mountain, Lake Compounce offers spectacular rides, Splash Harbor water park, a lakeside beach and three roller coasters. Boulder Dash- voted the world’s best wooden roller coaster- is built into the side of a mountain. During the summer you can attend special festivals and events like July 4th fireworks. For Halloween, the brave can tour the park’s Haunted Graveyard.

Clock & Watch Museum

The American Clock & Watch Museum displays one of the most extensive collections of American-made timekeepers in the world. From the earliest “grandfather” clocks to Eli Terry’s revolutionary Pillar & Scroll shelf clock to the popular Mickey Mouse wristwatch, visitors experience Yankee ingenuity and craftsmanship in this charming, chiming atmosphere created by the many running clocks. The gateway exhibit presents the important role played by Bristol and the clock industry in the development of American manufacturing.

Carousel Museum

The New England Carousel Museum is one of only a few carousel museums in America. The centerpiece of a growing cultural center in downtown Bristol, the Museum brings out the child in everyone. Here, you can see hand-carved, antique American folk art containing a menagerie of animals, including horses, as well as pieces that have been resorted. You can learn about the history of the carousel, take a tour, treat the children to hands-on activities and enjoy the nostalgic music of the band organ all year long. The Museum’s fine art galleries showcase the work of artists from throughout New England.

Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum

The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum opened in Bristol, CT in 1966, a tribute to the actors & effects artists which have given us the classic fantasy films. It is considered the longest running exhibit of it’s kind in the country (as stated by “Entertainment Tonight”). The museum features highly accurate, life-size figures of characters from the classic sci-fi & horror films. Voice tracks specially recorded by Vincent Price, June Foray, John Agar and Mark Hamil. Visit the website for additional information.

Bristol Chrysanthemum Festival

Every fall, you can see chrysanthemums blooming around Bristol. Our annual chrysanthemum Festival was created in 1961 by Paul Hubbard and Alex Cummings, of Bristol Nurseries, and the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. This is a three week event that includes the Miss Chrysanthemum pageant, a parade, antique car shows, family events at local farms, bingo and Oktoberfest. See more listings at www.bristolmumfestival.org.

Little League Baseball

For thousands of Little Leaguers playing in Bristol has been an annual goal. Every summer you can see the Eastern Regional finals at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center, which matches the best teams from the New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. The Center also offers summer camps for youngsters and adult training for managers, coaches, league administrations and umpires.

The Barnes Nature Center

Located in a picturesque setting on Shrub Road offers nature displays. Of special interest is the diorama depicting New England habitat including live reptiles, amphibians, and fish. There are loop hiking trails and a trailhead of Tunxis “Blue” Trail. Visit their website by clicking here.

The Museum of Fire History

The Museum of Fire History offers a fascinating array of fire-fighting and fire house signaling equipment and memorabilia wonderfully displayed with alarms to pull, sirens to set off and bells to ring. The Fire Museum is available for educational programming for school groups and adults.

Special Events & Activities

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll discover it in Bristol. For music and theatre, there’s the Bristol Symphony, Bristol Theatre Arts, Bristol Choral Society, Brass and Wind Ensemble and the New England Symphonic Band. For children, there’s the Children’s Holiday Parade, Bristol Pumpkin Festival, Indian Rock Nature Preserve, which presents early American experiences, a Starlab and nature explorations: Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum plus Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Rockwell and Page Parks. You can explore unique glacial formations at the Hoppers area. For military enthusiasts, there’s the Military Museum, with memorabilia dating back to the Civil War. Bristol also has Italian, Polish and Greek fairs for the whole family to enjoy.

Imagine Nation Museum

The Family Center’s Imagine Nation Museum, located in downtown Bristol, is Connecticut’s newest children’s museum. The museum is committed to enriching the lives of children and families by providing unique interactive exhibits, programs that spark imagination, discovery and hands-on learning through play and exploration. An original 1940’s soda fountain from R’s Diary, along time local landmark, is proudly located in the lobby where sweet treats, snacks and family entertainment are offered. Find our more at www.imaginenationmuseum.org.

The City of Bristol

The city of Bristol proud to support the arts and cultural organizations in our community. For more information about Bristol, Connecticut, please visit their website at www.ci.bristol.ct.us or call 860.584.6100

For a complete listing of museums, clubs and organizations, click on our DIRECTORY Link.

For scheduled happenings in the Bristol and the central Connecticut region, check out our CALENDAR OF EVENTS regularly.

Questions? Email us!

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