Scenes from Spring in Bristol, Rhode Island

By Heather Marcus

Feb 14 2019

The grand federal style Linden Place museum’s admission includes an educational scavenger hunt to learn more about the history of this 200 year old mansion.

Photo Credit : Mark Fleming

Wind and water fuel the narrative of Bristol, Rhode Island. There’s a reason so many winning America’s Cup yachts were built here. “Narragansett Bay is the ‘it’ place for wind,” says Joanne Murrman, a docent at Linden Place, the graceful Federal mansion in the heart of downtown. And even when you’re not on it, the bay seems omnipresent. Cyclists follow its curves on the East Bay Bike Path; families stroll and picnic along its edge at Colt State Park. It’s also a distractingly beautiful component of Blithewold, a historic summer estate where carpets of daffodils unroll, a bamboo grove rustles with mystery, and a 100-year-old giant sequoia commands attention. But that view from the Great Lawn overlooking the ripples — it’s simply grand. Bristol has a cheery, unaffected vibe and — even though it’s just 14 miles north of Newport’s hustle and bustle — feels decidedly under the radar. Along with prime sailing and biking and breathtaking scenery, it offers a compact downtown, where 23,000 residents take pride in hosting the oldest continuously held Fourth of July celebration in the country (since 1785). Underscoring this point: The center line through town marks the parade route in bold stripes of red, white, and blue.

To learn more, check out the March/April 2019 travel feature “Bristol, Rhode Island: Could You Live Here?” In the meantime, here are some of our favorite Bristol outtakes by photographer Mark Fleming.

Scenes from Spring in Bristol, Rhode Island

The landmark sign on State Street marks the Hotpoint Emporium Artist Cooperative, a retail space showcasing work from Bristol artists.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

At Mount Hope Farm, a playhouse built in the 1930s mimics the structure of the property’s Governor Bradford House.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Allium in bloom at Mount Hope Farm.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Participants in the sailing program at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Colorful seafood and cocktails at Bristol Oyster Bar.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

A view of the grand mansion at Blithewold.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

The giant sequoia at Blithewold is more than 100 years old.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Tree huggers try to wrap their arms around the old sentinel at Blithewold.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Dry goods at C & R Mercantile.
*Photo Credit : Mark Fleming*

Heather Marcus

Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee Magazine. She works closely with the art director and a large group of contributing photographers to tell our stories about people and place in a compelling way. Living and growing up in New England, she continues to be inspired by the communities, the landscape, and the wonderful visual opportunities the region affords.

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