Kelsey & Nicholaus
We thank all of our guests for the time and effort taken to travel to our event and celebrate with us in gorgeous Bristol, Rhode Island!
If you have any questions about travel, the venue, or the event itself, please don't hesitate to ask! You can reach Kelsey at (202) 503-8909, and Nic at (919) 763-5090.
Bristol is a small waterfront town steeped in maritime history, just like our venue itself. The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the legacy and selected works of renowned yacht designer Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, who designed and constructed some of the most influential sailing yachts and steamships of the late 19th and early 20th centuries — including for the United States Navy, as luck would have it. Several of his designs represented the United States in the America's Cup, a sailing competition that remains active to this day and is the oldest continuously running international sporting event. The museum occupies several buildings that were formerly a part of the original Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, and houses a collection of over seventy priceless vessels, many of which are over a century old.
Please note that the weather in March can vary widely in this region. The average daily high temperature ranges from 43 to 53 degrees and the average low from 27 to 36, although temperatures much higher or lower are not out of the question, and snow remains a possibility. Although the museum has plenty of indoor, climate-controlled space, it is also directly on the waterfront, and it always feels colder on the water!
The Herreshoff Marine Museum is located at 1 Burnside Street, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809. As you approach the address, there will be docks and waterfront on one side, and an unassuming gray building with blue awnings on the other, with a large sailing yacht parked on land adjacent to the building (can't miss it!). The limited parking on-site will be reserved, but free street parking is plentiful, especially in the off-season.
The museum is 40 minutes from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence, and 1 hour and 30 minutes from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston.
We highly recommend that guests who are flying rent a car for the weekend, or coordinate ahead of time with other guests who will have a car. However, if you choose not to do so, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are available in the area to help you transit between your accommodations and the venue.
Bristol Harbor Inn
259 Thames Street, Bristol, RI 02809
A boutique waterfront hotel in downtown Bristol, walking distance to the venue. The hotel has a pool, spa, and fitness center, and some rooms include kitchenettes. $180 - $430 per night.
Fairfield Inn & Suites - Somerset
602 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Somerset, MA 02726
25 minutes from venue. $190 - $220 per night.
Best Western Providence in Seekonk
45 Mink Street, Seekonk, MA 02771
30 minutes from venue. $120 - $150 per night.
TownePlace Suites in Westport
41 Old Bedford Road, Westport, MA 02790
20 minutes from venue. $200 - $230 per night.
Sonesta Select in Middletown
9 Commerce Drive, Middletown, RI 02842
20 minutes from venue. $150 - $180 per night.
Holiday Inn Express in Middletown
855 W Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842
20 minutes from venue. $130 - $160 per night.
AirBnB, VRBO, and Others
There are a variety of private rental properties - as well as other hotels - in and around Bristol. If traveling in a large group or in need of more expansive accommodations (such as a kitchen), we highly recommend you check out these apps to see if there is a good one for you!
The Lobster Pot
119 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809
A waterfront seafood restaurant serving lunch and dinner since 1929, this cozy spot is a great place to enjoy a fresh lobster roll, oysters rockefeller, or a loaded burger or wrap.
The Beach House
805 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02809
A bright and airy waterfront location with something to please everyone! From chowder to wings, oysters to tacos, and steak to flatbreads, you're sure to find something that hits the spot. If you're of age and have never tried one, go for a Painkiller - the rummy beverage of choice for many a sailor.
Ragged Island Brewing Company
54 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Enjoy the deck overlooking acres of hops fields or warm up in the lush indoor greenhouse as you sip an IPA, lager, seltzer, or stout. Children and outside food are permitted.
Bowens Wharf
Bowens Wharf, Newport, RI 02840
Although a bit of a hike from Bristol, Bowens Wharf in Newport is worth the 40-minute drive south if you have a significant amount of time to kill. Traditional New England architecture and abundant boutiques, galleries, and restaurants characterize this downtown nook of the city, where you can enjoy the harbor view as you sip a coffee or warm up with some clam chowder. Bonus: parking is much easier to find in the off-season!
Hotpoint Emporium
39 State Street, Bristol, RI 02809
This co-op retail gallery features the work of more than 30 local artists, utilizing a wide array of mediums to offer home decor, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and gifts.
Mount Hope Farmers Market
250 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809
Held every Saturday year-round from 9 am to 1 pm, this market may have a smaller selection during the off-season, but is still worth visiting just for the 200 acres of pristine farmland. Just don't get too caught up with fresh goodies that you lose track of the time!
Colt State Park
Route 114, Bristol, RI 02840
A 464-acre park filled with paved and unpaved trails, picnic tables, and fishing access, this beautiful parcel of land is surrounded by Narragansett Bay and Bristol Harbor and is widely regarded as the state's most scenic park. An entrance and/or parking fee may apply.