Once the travel restrictions were lifted and we had our vaccines, it was time to travel once again! Always looking for places slightly off the beaten, my first road trip was to Bristol, Connecticut. As I stand by my adage that there is something worth exploring in every backyard, I like exploring small post-industrial cities such as Bristol. For this trip, I’m investigating what to do in Bristol, Connecticut.
Equipped with too long a list of places to see and the hankering to have a beer at a brewery, we were off to Bristol. This trip did not include the American Clock and Watch Museum or the New England Carousel Museum, two of the town’s bigger attractions since they are both in my book Connecticut Lore. On this trip, I set off to discover new wonders in the town of Bristol.
Rockwell Park
The focal point (other than a tall elevator shaft, more about that later) of this trip was Rockwell Park. Bordered by Muzzy Field where the Bristol Blues collegiate baseball team plays their home games, this park was simply awesome. This field looked like a great place to catch a game.
Heading into the park, stone columns mark the entrance. Adjacent to the parking lot is an elaborate series of attractions for kids. A good-sized skatepark, a splash pad, and playgrounds for different ages would keep the kids busy for hours. Also nearby (but not open since it was April) was a swimming pool. This recreation area was tastefully planned with shade, benches, and other unique features.
The area of the park close to the parking lot has a pond to walk around, with a bathhouse on its banks. There is also an amphitheater and paths that crisscross every which way. Back in the car, driving behind the first of the park, it is clear that Rockwood Park continues deep into the woods with an abundance of nature trails. There is also a disc golf course and a dog park there too.
What to do in Bristol, Connecticut: A Rockwell Dream
Rockwell Park is named for the Rockwell family who owned the highly successful factory, New Department Manufacturing Company. They made doorbells, ball bearings, bicycle brakes, and bells. As a present to the town, Albert Rockwell gave this large tract of acreage to the town to be developed into a park. An architecture firm was brought in and lovingly designed this park. His wife made sure the children were taken care of with a state-of-the-art playground. After a period of disrepair, the park was refurbished, beginning in 2004.
Otis Elevator Test Tower
Every small city seems to have its own superlative. Bristol, other than being the home of ESPN and Lake Compounce, is also home to the continent’s tallest elevator test tower! I just had to see this! On the way from the western section of Bristol, we actually passed by Lake Compounce to boot. Lake Compounce is the oldest amusement park in America and, even though I was raised in the state, I never actually have been.
Near the neighborhood around Lake Compounce, the Otis elevator test tower is hard to miss! It protrudes stories tall into the sky! On closer inspection, it is simply a tall tower rising from the Otis Elevator Company building in an industrial park in Bristol. At 38 stories tall, this is where Otis tests its elevators in this large tower. A trip here should certainly be on the itinerary of what to do in Bristol, Connecticut.
Firefly Hollow Brewing
For all the times I have been in Bristol, I have always wanted to go to Firefly Hollow but they were never open. Finally, I had my chance! It was only open for pick-up, but that was ok. The brewery is located in an old factory that still seems occupied by other businesses and possibly abandoned in other places. It is a few stories tall and the front of the building is on its western facade.
In buying the beer to go, the woman we talked to was very personable and told us a bit about each one we were interested in. We walked away with three four-packs, the Cone Flakes IIPA, the Lust sour IPA, and the Citra New England IPA. I enjoyed all of them, but the Cone Flakes stood out to me the most. It is hoppy with a capital H; I guess it should say Hoppy. This to me is a much-needed break from the redundancy of New England IPAs.
Better Half Brewing
Unfortunately Firefly Hollow couldn’t satisfy our literal hunger. A quick look at my list and we opted for Better Half Brewing. This is located in, of all things, a former CVS!! I figured it was something that was a chain but never guessed a pharmacy. As a brewery, it is large, with plenty of tables and bar seating. They had a good amount of beer on the menu so I ordered a flight. All of them were decent, but my favorite by far was their Double IPA, another hoppy IPA, smoother than Cone Flakes, but it still had a bite. I wish it was available in cans, but alas it was not. Jackie and I both ordered burgers which satisfied our hunger.
What To Do In Bristol, Connecticut
Our afternoon in Bristol, was a great success! We explored a beautiful park, patronized two breweries, and witnessed the grandeur of the tallest elevator test tower on the continent! I’d call that a perfect day. After investigating what to do in Bristol, Connecticut, I realize there are plenty of activities for a fun-filled day!
Check out this link for more Connecticut fun!
