Bristol named among 'Most Scenic Towns' in North America

Bristol's plethora of historic locations, museums and patriotic celebration earn it a spot on the list

EastBayRI.com ·

With its historic homes, museums and picturesque neighborhoods, and of course its patriotic reputation, Bristol has been named one of the 33 most scenic towns in North America.

CarRentals.com, an Expedia Company, searched the continent to come up with the best car destinations. Some have historical intrigue, others contain stunning national parks, and some just make for a beautiful drive down the highway.

Bristol, obviously, falls into the historic category. The company recognized popular destinations like Blithewold Mansion and the other dozen properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Being the site of a huge summer party doesn't hurt, either.

"If you fancy yourself a history buff, the sleepy town of Bristol, Rhode Island, will be your very own slice of paradise," the carRentals blog reads. "Plan your visit around the Fourth of July and you’ll be able to attend the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festival in the country. There also happens to be over a dozen places about town that have earned spots in the National Registrar of Historic Places—including Blithewold Mansion and the Old Customs House, to name a few. Whoever said you couldn’t go back in time during your vacation?"

Local properties on the national historic register include Blithewold Mansion, Mount Hope Farm, Juniper Hill Cemetery, the Mount Hope Bridge, Poppasquash Farms Historic District, Benjamin Church House, Bristol County Courthouse, Bristol Waterfront Historic District, Bristol Custom House, Bristol Ferry Light and Bristol County Jail.

Other towns on CarRentals.com's list include Sitka, Alaska; Santa Craz, Calif,; Squamish, British Columbia; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Boise, Idaho; Taos, New Mexico; Minnehaha, Minn.; Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; Lake George, NY; Woodstock, Vermont; Steamboat Spring, Colo.; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; Lexington, Kentucky; Holland, Mich.; Port Hope, Ontario; Quebec City, Quebec; Banff, Alberta; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Lethbridge, Alberta; Kelowna, British Columbia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. John's, Newfoundland; New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island; Regina, Seskatchewan; Friday Harbor, Washington; Whitehorse, Yukon Territories; Ouray, Colo.; Santiago, Cuba; Willemstad, Curacao; San Miguel de Allande, Mexico; Paia, Hawaii; and Castries City, St. Lucia.

Bristol museums, National Register of Historic Places