Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bristol (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Zoomerang, American Clock & Watch Museum, and Rockwell Park. Also, be sure to include The New England Carousel Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bristol (Connecticut).
Table of Contents
Zoomerang
Roller coaster in Bristol, Connecticut. 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. They all feature a cobra roll and a loop, but the Lake Compounce Boomerang was the first boomerang to receive a Vekoma designed train. Early models used trains designed by Arrow Dynamics. In September 2007, due to paint deterioration, the ride was repainted with a new color scheme with purple tracks and teal supports.[1]
Address: 822 Lake Ave, 06010 Bristol
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. Located in the heart of the historic center of American clockmaking, ACWM is the world's preeminent horological museum in the area of American clocks, primarily industrial-made clocks of the 19th and early 20th century.
The museum is located in a complex including the historic Miles Lewis residence, the partially relocated historic 1728 Barnes homestead, and a modern extension wing in the town of Bristol, Connecticut, the hometown of the former Ingraham Clock Company. Bristol is located north of Interstate Highway 84, about 30 minutes west of Hartford CT or two hours from New York City.
The ACWM is an independent educational institution, operating under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and besides a small professional staff relies on volunteers for much of its manpower and support. Originally known as The Bristol Clock Museum, the institution was started in 1952 and acquired its site the next year.[2]
Address: 100 Maple St, 06010-5034 Bristol
Rockwell Park
Park in Bristol, Connecticut. 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. Park amenities include a swimming pool, sports fields, and a playground. Many of the park's buildings are built out of rustic cobblestone, and include several follies. The park, the city's first public park, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[3]
Address: 310 Park Street, 06010 Bristol
The New England Carousel Museum
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Address: 95 Riverside Ave, 06010 Bristol
St. Stanislaus Parish
Church in Bristol, Connecticut. 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.[4]
Address: 510 West St, 06010-4988 Bristol
The Ingraham House
Concerts and shows, Theater
Address: 156 Summer St, Bristol
Imagine Nation
Museum, Children's museum
Address: 1 Pleasant St, 06010-6254 Bristol
Bristol Public Library
Library
Address: 5 High St, 06010-5820 Bristol
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.
The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
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.
The school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.[6]
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. The building, a fine example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture in brick, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It now serves as the location of Chapter 126, a sports and fitness center specifically serving disabled people.[7]