I’m a Floridian through and through, but something about Bristol, Rhode Island, feels like a second home to me. It’s probably the warm welcome from locals like Brian Travers, proprietor of the Bradford-Dimond-Norris House bed and breakfast, where we stay every time, or the quintessential New England Americana of the place—especially at the beginning of July.
This charming coastal town is home to the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country—and this year, Bristol is marking its 240th year doing it big on the Fourth of July.
Known as the unofficial Fourth of July capital of the U.S., Bristol kicked off nearly a month of patriotic festivities on June 14 with a Flag Day ceremony. Over the following weeks, patriotic momentum builds with free outdoor concerts, orange crate derby races, pageants, fireworks, a black-tie ball, and various patriotic exercises, all culminating in a spectacular July 4 parade that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the world.
The 2.5-mile-long procession, a tradition since 1785, winds through Bristol with red, white, and blue stripes painted down the middle of historic Hope and High streets to trace the route.
If you go, expect marching bands, drum corps, elaborate floats (awards are bestowed on the Most Patriotic, Most Beautiful, and Most Original), and the newly crowned Miss Fourth of July and Little Miss riding in style. The star-studded cheer and American pride is contagious—it’s by far my favorite place to be on the Fourth of July.
The town fills up for the celebrations, understandably, so plan to arrive (very) early if you want a spot along the parade route, or find accommodations along the route—the grassy yard of Bradford-Dimond-Norris House gives you a front-row seat to the parade, a huge perk for guests staying during the Fourth of July festivities. Staying in nearby Newport or Providence is also an option, as the Seastreak Ferry connects these equally charming towns to Bristol.
While the parade may be Bristol’s claim to fame, remember that summer doesn’t end on July 5th. Beyond the festivities, Bristol’s Gilded Age and Colonial Revival architecture, quaint harbor views, and relaxed all-American vibe make it worth visiting long after the fireworks fade.
Go any time of year to visit historic estates like Mount Hope Farm (which once hosted George Washington) and Linden Place (which hosts a Fourth of July picnic and regular events) or catch live music on the bayfront lawn at Blithewold.
If you stay at the Bradford-Dimond-Norris House (as you should), breakfast will be served, but let Brian know that one morning you’ll skip and cross the street to Bristol Sunset Café—which is not, in fact, open at sunset, but does start serving cinnamon rolls as big as your head soon after sunrise. Order one grilled—trust me. Or head to the humble, long-beloved Hope Diner for their famous blueberry muffin, also available grilled and mouthwateringly delicious that way.
For lunch, The Beehive Café offers lighter, locally sourced fare, while buck-a-shuck oysters at Bristol Oyster Bar or a lobster roll at family-owned Quito’s Restaurant and Bar (available in my preferred hot buttered Connecticut style, not just cold like most places!) round out my perfect New England day of eats.
Whether you come for the pageantry or the quieter days before and after the Fourth, Bristol is the kind of New England gem that reminds you just what makes America so worthy of celebrating.
