Suspension Bridge
Talk to anyone from Bristol about a must-see Bristolian spot and you’re guaranteed to be told about the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. With views across the Gorge and the entire city, this is a fun and romantic location to visit. Walk across the bridge, drive over for a small toll fee or simply sit on the surrounding grass or in a local pub and soak up the views. Don’t miss how it lights up at night.
At-Bristol
As one of the UK’s largest science centres, At-Bristol offers a fun day out for the entire family. Located right in the centre of town, the museum is easily accessible. There’s even a 3D Planetarium.
Park Street
If you’re brave enough to walk up the steep hill of Park Street (we’re only joking, it’s not that steep), then you’ll come across a number of cool and quirky stores, plenty of places for coffee, food and drinks and even a park area halfway up. Don’t miss the chance to snap a picture of the infamous Banksy piece, located at the bottom of Park Str.
Stokes Croft
Bristol is well known for its diverse culture and the Stokes Croft area located just outside of the city centre, is definitely the most vibrant district in the city. Expect to see lots of street art, cool independent stores and plenty of quirky places to eat.
Brandon Hill
This outdoor space is the park that we touched on earlier, located halfway up Park Street. With plenty of green space, although a little hilly, this is a great place to sit in the sun after a day of shopping.
Cabot Tower
Situated in a park on Brandon Hill, this Grade-II listed building was built in the 1890s to commemorate John Cabot. Stand on the platforms at the top of the tower to see amazing views across the city.
Bristol Zoo
Head to this long-establish zoo to encounter some amazing exotic species from around the world, including monkeys, lions and even gorillas.
Queen Square
This garden space in the centre of Bristol is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to sit and have a moment of peace. Be sure to check out the equestrian statue of William III located right in the middle of the Square.
SS Great Britain
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is a huge ship which has taken up residence in the Bristol Harbour. Launched in 1843, you can visit the ship and soak up its history and marvel at its structure. There are a bunch of different events held here throughout the year, from sports to literary-themed days, so keep an eye on the calendar for something that takes your fancy.
Arnolfini
The Arnolfini art gallery is legendary amongst the Bristol locals and not just for the incredible exhibitions that are on display here. As well as being home to a café-bar which is perfect for enjoying a post-exhibition coffee or glass of wine, there’s also an in-house book shop boasting a range of different specialist publications. In the summer months, swarms of people sit outside the building along the harbourside to enjoy the views.
Harbourside
Bringing us onto our next must-see spot, taking a stroll around Bristol Harbour is something that everyone has to experience when visiting the city. With pretty views of the bobbing boats and an abundance of pubs to stop off in for a tipple along the way, this is a great way to spend your day.
Cargo
The recently opened Cargo at Wapping Wharf consists of a number of different ‘containers’, which are essentially little pop-up shops housing everything from a yoga studio to a bubble tea shop, boasting stunning views across the water.
M Shed
Just across from Cargo, the M Shed museum is a huge space offering a number of exciting exhibitions for people of all ages to enjoy. There’s even huge working exhibits outside the building that you can see when the museum is closed, such as the electric cranes and Fairbairn Steam crane.
Clifton Downs
If vast, rolling green space is what your heart desires, then a visit to Clifton Downs is a must. Head down with family and friends, take a picnic and enjoy hours of fresh air in the great outdoors.
College Green
Right at the bottom of Park Street, College Green, or ‘The Green’ to locals is a public open space, which takes the form of a segment of a circle with its apex pointing east, sat under the nose of Bristol Library.
Leigh Woods
Fancy a stroll through some magical woodland? Leigh Woods is another Bristol spot that offers something completely different, but still practically in the centre of town. With a number of different trail options available, this walk is suitable for all levels of fitness, or perfect for picnicking on one of their made-for-purpose benches.
Ashton Court
This huge country estate, not too far from Bedminster (south of the river) hosts a number of events including markets and the famous hot-air balloon fiesta. With a golf course, deer park and bikes available to rent, this is the perfect location for a day out.
Christmas Steps
This historic street located near the fountains in the city centre is essentially a set of steep, slanted steps with shops located on either side as you walk down (including well-established barber shop, Harry Blades). There’s also the convenient and aptly named Christmas Steps pub, positioned right at the bottom.
Upfest on North St
Upfest is one of Europe’s biggest street art festivals. While the event only takes place once a year, the incredible artwork is on display all year round, adorning shop fronts and sides of buildings. Take a stroll from top to bottom and marvel at the colourful work by some of the world’s most renowned graffiti artists.
The Bearpit
The Bearpit is described as a bit of an outdoor art gallery. The space which is located below St James Barton roundabout has been transformed in recent years and now features colourful artwork and a number of independent restaurants through one of the tunnels. This is a great route to take if you’re walking from town to the aforementioned Stokes Croft.
